THE PRACTICE OF DEER-STALKING 147 



numerous bridle-paths which have been constructed, 

 and which enable the sportsman to ride with ease up 

 to the tops of hills to attain which cost him formerly 

 a long and weary climb. This advantage may to 

 some extent and in some instances be neutralised by 

 a departure from the habit of early rising, which is 

 not of course so necessary with the altered conditions 

 of locomotion, and also, where deer are more plen- 

 tiful than they used to be, by the less time occupied 

 in searching the ground and in the course of the 

 day going over a much larger area. These paths if 

 judiciously planned are of great benefit, and may be 

 appreciated even by those who scorn ' luxurious ease ' 

 as affording the means of bringing home your stag 

 the same night, which might not be easy without them. 



Deer ought never to be left out all night on the 

 hill when it is possible to get the carcase home. It is 

 idle to say that the venison does not suffer. Perhaps 

 when the atmosphere is very dry without frost not 

 much harm is done, but a wet night or a white frost 

 is fatal to a haunch which is to be sent to a friend, 

 while it won't keep more than a day or two even in 

 your own larder. 



Before leaving the subject of wind it may be 

 interesting to remark that, while the keen sense of 

 scent possessed by red deer sorely handicaps the 



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