GERMANY 149 



freehold and small properties predominate, areas under 200 to 300 acres 

 in extent are thrown into one lot. These are strictly preserved and 

 let by public auction for periods of six years or more, the lessee being 

 responsible for damages to crops. Such rented shootings generally 

 remain in the same hands for long periods and are rarely sub-let. 

 F'or a large landed proprietor to let the shooting on his own ground 

 at all is a very rare occurrence. An Englishman wanting to shoot 

 or hunt in Germany will, provided he has some kind of introduction, 

 be treated with the greatest hospitality and be made welcome in 

 all parts. But, easy as he will find it to get invited as a guest 

 or paying member, it will be difficult for him to rent a good shoot. 

 Long leases are the rule, and these are rarely to be got without 

 being well known for years and having a good deal of local influence. 

 Club shoots are rare and generally not the best. 



A shooting licence, available only for the state where it is taken, is 

 necessary everywhere. Prices vary from \2s. to 20^. per annum. 

 Before treating on the animals proper, two very ancient customs may 

 be mentioned here. The ''strecke," or game parade, is carried out 

 with big game as well as small game. At the end of a day's shoot the 

 game is collected, and laid out carefully in due order of merit, and then 

 the master and his guests examine it, generally just before or after 

 dinner. Often after dark, when the castle yard or the country house 

 lawn is lit up by torches, and the keepers sounding the Aa/a/i on their 

 bugles, it is a pretty sight, and a sporting conclusion to a day's good 

 sport. 



When big game is shot with the rifle or hunted with hounds, the 

 keeper or the master breaks a twig, touches with it the bullet wound. 



