174 THE STILL-HUNTER. 



everything gray, yellowish, reddish, brownish, or 

 blackish. Even white spots must not be overlooked, 

 for some varieties of deer show considerable white 

 behind, and all show a little even with tail down. 

 Nothing must be passed by with a careless glance 

 because its shape is not that of a deer. If it has the 

 color of a deer, give it a second and third look no 

 matter what the shape. If it has the shape of the 

 game, give it a second and third look without regard 

 to its color. If you are in any doubt whether a thing 

 be a deer or not and have no glass, either get closer 

 without its seeing you or wait a while and see if it 

 moves. But beware always how you decide that any 

 dubious thing is not a deer. The chances are hun- 

 dreds to one against any particular spot or shape 

 being a deer. Yet all the danger of error lies in de- 

 ciding in the negative. The novice is quick to say, 

 "Oh, that's no deer," and pass along. It takes the 

 experienced hunter to say, " I really believe that's a 

 deer." Once in a while a shot may be thrown away 

 upon a rock or stump or shade, but such is a far bet- 

 ter course than to be always too prompt with a nega- 

 tive decision. This presupposes due care to see that 

 the object be not a person a mistake no good hunter 

 ever makes unless some one is fool enough to be out 

 hunting with a deer's hide or head, etc. 



When the sun is out nothing that shines or glistens 

 should escape your notice. When you are between 

 the sun and the deer, as you should be if possible, 

 there will seldom be any sheen from his coat or horns, 

 though you can see him then much more plainly. 

 But if he is between you and the sun, especially when 

 the sun is near the horizon, a shiny spot where the 

 sun strikes his back may be seen half a mile or more 

 away when the body itself would not be noticed. 



