42 DEEE- STALKING. 



side begin to move, his only chance of a shot is to run on ; 

 and perhaps the attention of the centre ones may be so 

 fixed on their companions as to allow him to get within 

 range. When the wind is fair, the best plan is to have 

 good patience until the deer feed up, without attempting to 

 stalk between them. When you have a side wind, how- 

 ever, it is very difficult to manage, especially with a train 

 of men and dogs, to all of whom the stalker must give 

 his signal at once, perhaps with only twenty yards of 

 ground to come and go upon. 



When stalking a herd, or between deer, down hill, the 

 best way is to slide upon the back, with your feet foremost. 

 This can be done by leaning upon the elbows, and using 

 the heels of the shoes to draw on the body. The knees 

 will thus be prevented from rising too high. Should you 

 attempt to crawl down head foremost, the back will often 

 be two feet higher than the head, and the stalker never be 

 aware of it. In sliding down the hill, both stalker and 

 sportsman must have their eye upon the deer; and, if 

 they raise their heads, must keep the exact position they 

 were in when the deer looked up. It is very bad general- 

 ship, either with deer or wild-fowl, to clap down quickly, 

 as they at once see this manreuvre. Instead of doing so, 

 remain steady as a rock, until the deer begin to feed again, 

 or look in a different direction. Should they suspect you, 

 and thus render it necessary to move out of sight, with- 

 draw yourself inch by inch, so as to prevent their seeing 

 the least motion. In stalking up hill, you must crawl 

 sometimes upon hand and knee, occasionally flat upon 



