DEER-STALKING. 15 



there is any cover in front, by running forward under shelter 

 of it. Sometimes when the deer on both sides have taken 

 the alarm, even should the ground be bare, those in the 

 middle will stand staring, trying to discover what had fright- 

 ened the others. Under these circumstances, whenever the 

 sportsman sees the deer on either 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, with- 

 out attempting to stalk between them. When you have a 

 side wind, however, 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 generalship, either with deer or wild fowl, to clap 

 down quickly, as they at once see this manoeuvre. Instead 

 of doing so, remain steady as a rock, until the deer begin to 

 feed again, or look in a different direction. Should they sus- 

 pect you, and thus render it necessary to move out of sight, 

 withdraw yourself inch ly inch, so as to prevent their seeing 

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

 times upon hand and knee, occasionally flat upon your face 

 when the deer come more prominently into view. As they 

 always look down hill, greater caution is required than when 



