41 DEER -STALKING. 



amazement, the panting Sassenach or Lowlander is told 

 that he is within fair rifle-distance of a bevy of noble harts. 



After deer have been stalked and shot at, they become 

 much wilder ; the best sport at the old harts is therefore 

 obtained at the beginning of the season. They generally 

 keep together, and when their stately mien and branching 

 antlers are seen in the distance, it is enough to inspirit 

 the most apathetic; but when told to cock his double- 

 barrelled rifle for a shot, I could well excuse a novice 

 for being scarcely able to obey. When there are hinds 

 in the herd, they often present themselves between you 

 and the unsuspecting harts ; but even should they be at a 

 distance, great caution is necessary, as, if one hind gets a 

 glimpse of the crouching enemy, the whole herd, stags 

 and all, are sure to scamper away, amidst the bitter 

 execrations of the forester upon its hornless head. 



The next best time for a shot at a fine old stag, after 

 they have become wild, is about the beginning of October, 

 when each lot of hinds is sure to contain a good hart. 

 The chances then may often not be so good, but from 

 the stags being dispersed, there are more of them. If 

 deer are feeding forward, it requires very nice calculation, 

 when at a distance, to know the point they will arrive at 

 by the time you have neared them, especially as a shower 

 of rain or a gust of wind will quicken their motions. But 

 if the stalker is not far from the herd, which is feeding up 

 to his place of concealment, with a favourable wind, he 

 should not grudge waiting ; for, by sending round drivers 

 to windward of the deer, they are often apt to turn and 



