140 THE STILL-HUNTER. 



has lain there a long time ; brush has grown up 

 around it; its trunk and branches alone would hide a 

 dozen deer standing behind it. Therefore be very 

 careful. 



Several questions now crowd and jostle each other 

 in your mind. 



ist. Is it a deer ? 



ad. If so, is it not too small a mark to hit at such a 

 distance (at least a hundred and fifty yards) ? 



3d. If too far, shall I try to get closer or wait for it 

 to move and present a fuller mark ? 



4th. Which way shall I go to get closer, directly to- 

 ward it or go up the creek a way. and come down ? 



5th. If I wait for it to move, may it not move out of 

 my sight as well as into it ? 



All these are very pertinent, but are easy to answer. 



ist. It has the unmistakable outline of a deer's 

 haunch. The shape of the lower part and leg settles 

 that sufficiently to make it worth while to risk a shot. 

 It is very dark in color, but then a deer nearly always 

 looks dark upon a background of snow. 



2d. It is too small a mark for a novice to shoot at 

 from this distance. If you raise your sights or hold 

 over it you are very liable to miss it. If you draw a 

 fine sight on it you are liable to miss it or only break 

 a leg. It is a shot which none but a skilled marks- 

 man skilled in the field on game can make with 

 certainty even with a rest. 



3d. Even if it moves and shows its full body, it will 

 still be too fine a shot for a beginner to make, so you 

 had better get closer. 



4th. The farther you can keep from the deers' back 

 track in approaching them the better. The other 

 two are undoubtedly there watching, and may be on 



