DEER IN BANDS. GENERAL HINTS, ETC. 257 



fall and winter coats. In the mule-deer of California 

 the red is often a dirty yellow or ocher color. 



When in timber, especially timber with low-hang- 

 ing branches, do not forget that a deer can see your 

 legs and leave before you can see anything of him. 

 You must stoop frequently in such ground. The 

 same is the case in descending a tree-covered hill into 

 a valley or basin. If you have any reason to believe 

 there is game in it, enter it if possible from the lowest 

 point you can find. And in general, when hunting a 

 valley with sloping sides clad with timber, keep in the 

 lowest part of it (a creek-bed or other depression if 

 possible) that will give you the best view beneath the 

 trees. 



It may sometimes be best to purposely give deer 

 your wind; as where they are lying in a basin or 

 windfall and will have to run up hill, and it would be 

 too long a shot for you if you should keep on one 

 hill-side and try to start them by sight of you or by 

 noise, in which case they would be certain to run up 

 the opposite side. And even when deer are on foot 

 the formation of the ground may be such that your 

 chances of hitting one running up the side while you 

 are in the center would be better than the chances of 

 getting a good standing shot from either side. 



Should you see cattle or horses on your hunting- 

 ground be careful not to alarm them, as they will be 

 apt to stampede all game within hearing of their 

 hoofs. No other animals, nor even birds, should be 

 unnecessarily alarmed when game is near. Both deer 

 and antelope know what alarm of other animals 

 means. 



