TO MANAGE A DEER WHEN HIT. 265 



farther before lying down than if hit in the body, and 

 will generally stand up longer under a paunch-shot 

 than under any other shot in the body, though, if let 

 alone, will soon lie down with this. Sometimes deer 

 will start off on a walk and go a mile or so to brush 

 without stopping, and sometimes will plunge ahead 

 on a full run until they fall either stone dead or from 

 sheer exhaustion. 



It would be of no use to waste further space in de- 

 tailing specifically the various maneuvers of a wound- 

 ed deer, for those above given include nearly all kinds, 

 and the same general plan of handling must be fol- 

 lowed in all cases. And this is 



ist. No matter how sick the deer may appear to be, 

 no matter how he staggers, bleeds, or looks like drop- 

 ping immediately, shoot at him just as long as he 

 stands up. Do not be afraid of spoiling meat or hide, 

 for as long as he can keep afoot you are in danger of 

 losing both, or having a troublesome time to get them. 

 Do the same when he is down, if he can hold up his 

 head or his eyes are bright, unless his back is broken. 



2d. If he goes off, let him go (unless, as before 

 stated, you can head off or flank him), and for several 

 hours do nothing to disturb him. If it is near night 

 you had better let him go until next morning. If he 

 is badly hurt he will probably never rise after lying 

 down a while, and at all events is likely to get so sick 

 and stiff as to be quite easy of approach. But if fol- 

 lowed up at once he will be watching, and unless very 

 much hurt will be too keen and too lively for you. 



3d. On taking his track to follow him up, proceed 

 just as you would on a well deer, and don't go blun- 

 dering and thrashing carelessly along because you see 

 blood or signs of stumbling or staggering. If you 



