THE POACHER 33 



unwise to allow a discharged keeper to remain on the 

 property. 



Generally speaking, the only way to put down 

 poaching is by firm determination and constant action 

 against the wrong-doer. The fact that the keeper is 

 soft or overlooks the inroads on his preserves is not 

 appreciated, and indeed only encourages the poacher 

 to increase his depredations. The poacher must be 

 kept in order by fear, and not by kindness. With most 

 dishonest people of this class the virtue of kindness is 

 mistaken for that of weakness. 



We have indicated, in a previous chapter, the line 

 of conduct which it is advisable for keepers to pursue 

 in dealing with men who are potential poachers farm 

 servants and the like and it will not be necessary for 

 us to say more on the subject. In dealing with the 

 professional poachers, individually or in gangs, in addi- 

 tion to such usual procedure as the bushing of fields 

 to prevent partridge-poaching, the construction of wire 

 and bells in pheasant coverts and by pheasant coops, 

 and other forms of special protection, it will be neces- 

 sary that the keeper should institute a regular system 

 of watching, and a system which is flexible enough to 

 stand modification in time and season. The nesting 

 season, and the days when birds are young, must be 

 periods for particular alertness. A cloudy, windy night 

 must at once suggest to the keeper the idea of special 

 vigilance, for this condition of weather offers an especial 

 chance to the plans of the poacher. The artful keeper 

 3 



