280 TEN YEARS OF GAME-KEEPING 



It is a marvel that there are not more shooting 

 accidents. The great objection to a careless man 

 with a gun is that he is far more likely to shoot 

 somebody else than himself. I have seen two 

 people escape by inches what must have been 

 fatal accidents. But ought one to say 'accident 7 ? 

 for in each instance it was nothing but sheer 

 carelessness : the shooters, carrying a hammerless 

 gun under the arm, could not take the trouble 

 to look what they were doing, but felt for the 

 safety-bolt, and pushed a trigger instead. When 

 a shooter is turning round, it is a golden rule not 

 to have a finger on the trigger, no matter how 

 safely the muzzle may be pointing. A foot may 

 trip in a bramble or against a stub, and down 

 comes the muzzle to the level of men's heads 

 and hearts. And off goes the gun. By paying 

 ten shillings anyone is entitled to carry and use 

 a gun. Ought there not to be some regulation 

 demanding proof that each individual understands 

 the safe handling of a gun before he or she is 

 granted a licence ? I never had to deal with a 

 lady shooter, and I hope I never shall. 



What is the definition of a ' reared ' pheasant ? 

 In these days, when there is so much letting of 

 shooting, it is important that the term ' reared ' 

 should have some definite meaning. There is a 

 very great difference between reared pheasants and 

 pheasants that are being reared. A representation 



