BIG GAME 55 



the smaller forest beasts, and even some medium ones, 

 as for instance bushbuck, that would be extremely 

 difficult to secure in this way, and many and many a 

 day migjht be spent in hunting these antelope and deer, 

 and, although plenty may be seen, never a decent shot 

 could be taken with the rifle, so that where these 

 circumstances exist it is quite legitimate to use the 

 shot-gun for securing the trophies or meat 



It so often happens, too, that this shooting involves 

 driving with natives or dogs, and as the gunner is 

 usually squatting on the ground, concealed behind 

 some tree, bush, or rock, shots with the rifle are by 

 no means safe for the beaters, and even a shot-gun 

 with large shot has to be used with care. 



In open or sparsely timbered country a rifle 

 only should be used, except under exceptional circum- 

 stances and for very small beasts, and the practice 

 which the author has so often seen of men hunting 

 such beasts as reedbuck with the shot-gun cannot be 

 too strongly condemned, not only because it is 

 unsportsmanlike, but because very many beasts are 

 badly peppered and not brought to bag. 



Naturally, if one was out with the shot-gun and a 

 good head was walked on within easy range, the 

 hunter could not be expected to hold his hand, though 

 the head would never be valued as much as one taken 

 with a ball. It would, however, be quite a legitimate 

 thing to do, and it is only the promiscuous pulling at 

 everything that is both cruel and not " cricket." 



