IN SCOTCH DEER-FORESTS 89 



extent, for the numbers and quality of the deer 

 obtained. I am informed that when the forests were 

 first leased by Mr. Winans the stock of deer was 

 comparatively small, and present results are, there- 

 fore, largely due to the thirteen years' close-time 

 maintained during his lease. From this point of view 

 it may be remarked that Mr. Winans thus greatly in- 

 creased the sporting facilities, and consequent financial 

 value, of the district and its neighbourhood. 



It must not be supposed, however, that the large 

 increase in the number of deer, and their immunity 

 from pursuit for so long a period, made them too 

 easy of approach, or detracted from the hard work 

 and knowledge of their habits and the ground, which, 

 combined with ' straight ' powder, are conditions 

 necessary for all successful deer-stalking. We found 

 that the numbers of the deer often made the work 

 harder and the stalking more difficult, as parcels of 

 watchful hinds and inferior stags were constantly 

 intervening between the stalker and his prey. A 

 single mischance or mistake would, and often did, 

 clear a whole hillside without the chance of a shot. 

 In addition to this, the stalkers and gillies employed, 

 whilst thoroughly good men of their class, laboured 

 under the disadvantage of having had no practice in 

 approaching deer with the rifle for thirteen years 

 a disadvantage which those who know the qualities 

 and practice required to make a first-rate stalker can 

 fully appreciate. The result was, therefore, obtained 

 by real hard work and good shooting, and was cer- 

 tainly no luxurious ' arm-chair slaughter,' as some 

 casual readers might possibly suppose. So far as my 

 observation went, the thirteen years' close-time seemed 

 to have increased the number of moderate and inferior 



