STAGS 83 



A. It depends so much as to the severity of 

 the run. Some deer are only " twenty-minutes' 

 deer," and then give up, often going into a farm- 

 yard or stable when they have had enough, and 

 such, of course, do not require anything like so 

 long a rest as an animal like the Enfield Doe, such 

 deer requiring about six weeks before coming out 

 again. The '' twenty-minutes' heroes" are very 

 useful for the first days after a frost, when horses 

 — and riders — have somewhat lost condition. 



Q. Is it not difficult to capture deer after 

 a run ? 



A. Yes, and it may be a dangerous thing to 

 attempt if a person does not understand how to 

 do it, and keep a sharp look-out. Though the 

 stags have been deprived of their horns they can 

 strike very sharply with their fore-hoofs, and may 

 inflict a serious wound. Seizing an opportunity 

 a whip-thong should be cast round the animal's 

 neck and firmly held, while a willing assistant 

 approaches from behind and slips his hand inside 

 the cheek of the deer. When two persons have 

 hold of either cheek the animal can be fairly 

 easily controlled, and led in the required direc- 

 tion. The knuckles sometimes get cut against 

 the back-teeth, if the deer struggles much. 



Q. As a tame deer cannot know the country 

 where it is turned out, what guides it in making 

 a point ? 



A. A deer frequently makes for a hill, if it 

 can see one in the distance, otherwise it usually 

 runs cheeking the wind. They are very fond 

 of the society of cows, and if any are in the fields 

 the deer will usually diverge to them, frequently 

 stopping with them and grazing till the hounds 



