24 THE STILL-HUNTER. 



CHAPTER III. 



EXAMINING THE GROUND, SIGNS, ETC. 



HAVING selected the general range or tract upon 

 which you will hunt, the next point is to determine 

 upon what part of it it will be best to hunt. For deer 

 are not distributed generally over the whole even of 

 the best ranges, but are more or less concentrated in 

 particular parts. And this is so even when they are 

 not banded but are living separately. The same is 

 true of antelope even when the does are scattered 

 with their kids and are not banded as they generally 

 are. It is also a provoking fact that you have prob- 

 ably noticed in other branches of hunting, that the 

 very best-looking ground is often bare of game. And 

 deer, above all other things, fail to appreciate your 

 kindness in selecting their abiding-places, and prefer 

 to make their own selections. 



For these reasons you will do well to make the ex- 

 ploration of your ground and inspection of signs, etc., 

 the principal object of your first day's hunt. I do not 

 mean that you are to go carelessly or without a keen 

 outlook for game. But before you can hunt to much 

 advantage you must learn what is commonly termed 

 " the lay of the land," and also know upon what parts 

 of it the most deer are ranging. " The lay of the 

 land " is of such importance that it must never be 

 neglected. Every ridge, every pass, every valley, 



