252 THE STILL-HUNTER. 



ran off and which way it ran, etc. Otherwise you 

 will be very apt to lose them. Do not show yourself 

 until through shooting, and do not allow yourself to 

 be tempted to do so by seeing them move off. Even 

 if they go off running you had better not show your- 

 self unless you can make a cut-off. 



There are some general hints that apply equally to 

 single deer and banded ones which may as well be 

 considered here. 



In going after a particular deer or band of deer 

 you need not listen to any gabble of settlers, herds- 

 men, teamsters, and others who tell you they always 

 see them at such a place, see them there every day, 

 etc. etc. etc. The fact generally is that they see them 

 about once in four or five days or a week, which is 

 probably as often as the man goes there, and which 

 he calls "every day." This is just about the time it 

 takes them to return to that part of the range when 

 once driven away. A man going to that place once 

 in five or six days will generally stand the same 

 chance of seeing the deer that a man does who goes 

 there every day. You should generally go to the 

 place toward which they ran if you go within two or 

 three days after they were seen. 



When deer run into a high brushy hill-side and dis- 

 appear, wait and watch for several minutes. Even a 

 single deer is liable to come to an opening and stand 

 a minute for a look, and some one of a band is very 

 apt to do so. 



If you are near a water-hole or bit of choice feeding- 

 ground and see a deer's head and neck come peering 

 over an adjacent ridge, unless you are sure he sees 

 you or he is close enough for a sure shot, keep per- 

 fectly still. This is very apt to be a survey for danger 



