THE PRACTICE OF SHOOTING 73 



is not equal to the greater requirements of the going-away 

 game. 



After writing the remarks above, it seemed to be the proper 

 course to consult some of those excellent marksmen who are 

 discussed by everybody. Consequently, the author bethought 

 him of the article he had written for Bailey's Magazine on the 

 twelve best shots, and decided to ask for the views of a few 

 of those expert marksmen who had, by the votes of others, 

 come out as best. He was impelled to this course not with 

 any desire to have his own views corroborated by such good 

 authority, but in order, if possible, with the greater authority, 

 to correct what to him appear very erroneous notions so often 

 seen in print. As nobody can assist those who are perfect 

 already, it is clear that the novice is the person who can 

 benefit by a discussion of the subject. For this reason it was 

 not so much to inquire how crack shots shoot now, as how 

 they learnt to shoot, that was the intention of these inquiries. 

 Often have been put forward the methods of shooters after 

 they have become expert, which is about as helpful as telling 

 a schoolboy, " There is W. G., go and imitate him with your 

 cricket bat." The author's own fault of delay and the 

 limitation of space has rendered it necessary to compress this 

 information into very small space. 



After disowning any more connection with the twelve best 

 than a hundred others have an equal right to, Mr. R. H. 

 Rimington Wilson was good enough to reply to some leading 

 questions in much this way: 



In shooting at fast crossing game he looks at the place he 

 is going to shoot, not at the game. 



He admits that the " ideal " best form in shooting would be 

 to bring up the gun in the nearest way, without swing, and to 

 shoot to the right place, but he questions whether it can be 

 done for high, or fast, wide birds. He can clo it for near 

 grouse, just as the writer has explained that he does it for 

 rabbits. But Mr. Wilson is convinced that for far-off fast 

 game you must "swing." He once questioned Lord cle Grey 

 on how he shot, and the reply was that this great performer 



