THE CHASE : STAG-HUNTING. 3- 



Outlying stags are occasionally drawn for. When un- 

 harboured and imprimed, they will make head straight 

 across the country ; and when closely pursued will 

 return to the herd, put up another, and sink into his 

 place, particularly when in the grease, by which means 

 they save one another. To prevent the change, you 

 should take the marks of your stag. 



The buck (the male fallow-deer) will do the same ; 

 running, however, a smaller ring, the former being more 

 venturous. They haunt, in November, in furze and thick 

 shrubs ; in December, in high slopes ; January, in young 

 wheats and rye ; February and March, in thick bushes ; 

 April and May, in coppices and springs ; June and July, 

 in out- woods and purlieus, near young corn. 



When you are in search for outliers, either stag or 

 buck, go up wind early in the mornings, to find them at 

 relief or feed, when you may watch them to cover. 

 This done, go for a bloodhound ; take him upon the 

 lyam, or cord ; try the ring walks, entries, goings out, 

 &c. ; and where you find fresh view or slot, and 

 furnishings in the rides and glades, make blemishes and 

 plashes in the slope. These, in case your dog over- 

 shoot, will enable you to draw counter and recover your 

 beat. You will know when you are near the stag, by 

 the dog's bearing hard upon the lyam, and beginning to 

 lapise, or open, which you must prevent. When found, 

 if he is for a hunt, have the hounds upon a side lay, near 

 where you think he will pass. Rouse him up ; when 

 imprimed, loose your hound, and give the signal for 



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