AND MANAGEMENT. I 7 



point aimed at, for if in shooting at the head the keeper 

 should happen to break the jaws of a doe, she will 

 probably give him a great deal of trouble, with a chance 

 of losing her. A small bore rifle is the best for 

 shooting does, as the ball does not tear the flesh so 

 much, if shot behind the shoulder, as a large bullet 

 might do. It is very good sport in hard, frosty weather, 

 when the ground is dangerous for riding, to walk after 

 the herd and shoot the does through the head or neck. 

 This is often practicable at such season, as the does 

 dislike running on the hard, uneven ground, and so 

 may be more easily approached than in mild showery 

 weather, when it would be difficult in a large park to 

 get at more than one or two. Although good sport, 

 it is hard work, but it is repaid by the very pretty 

 shots that are often to be had in this way. Sometimes 

 a brace may be killed by enticing the herd with cut 

 turnips or acorns, but after a shot or two the does are 

 wide awake, and it requires an experienced person to 

 kill does in this way, for passing in quick succession 

 there will be very little time to look at them ; a good 

 doe will weigh from eight to ten stones. Doe venison 

 is held in high estimation by some ; it is never so fat 

 as the buck, but at this season of the year it can be 

 kept, and the fine flavour makes it exceedingly good. 

 The oldest does are the best at the beginning of the 

 season, those not so old preserve their condition better 

 in bad weather. During the doe season, and for three 

 months after the iyth of January, which closes it, the 

 herd must be carefully looked after ; if severe frost or 

 bad weather prevails, they should be well fed and 

 sheltered. In many large parks there are pens enclosed 

 by posts and rails to keep off any cattle that may be 

 running in the park. In these pens are sheds for 

 shelter and racks for hay ; of course it will depend 

 much upon the situation and extent of the park as to 

 how many are required so that all the herd may come 

 in for a share. In all my experience I have never 

 found anything equal to acorns as food for deer in the 



