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DEER HUNTING. 



The different modes of destroying Deer are probably too well un- 

 derstood and too successfully practised in the United States ; for, not- 

 withstanding the almost incredible abundance of these beautiful animals 

 in our forests and prairies, such havock is carried on amongst them, that, 

 in a few centuries, they will probably be as scarce in America, as the 

 Great Bustard now is in Britain. 



We have three modes of hunting Deer, each varying in some slight 

 degree, in the different States and Districts. The first is termed Still 

 Hunting, and is by far the most destructive. The second is called Fire- 

 light Hunting, and is next in its exterminating effects. The third, 

 which may be looked upon as a mere amusement, is named Driving. 

 Although many deer are destroyed by this latter method, it is not by 

 any means so pernicious as the others. These methods I shall describe 

 separately. 



Still Hunting is followed as a kind of trade by most of our frontier 

 men. To be practised with success, it requires great activity, an expert 

 management of the rifle, and a thorough knowledge of the forest, toge- 

 ther with an intimate acquaintance with the habits of the Deer, not only 

 at different seasons of the year, but also at every hour of the day, as the 

 hunter must be aware of the situations which the game prefers, and in 

 which it is most likely to be found, at any particular time. I might 

 here present you with a full account of the habits of our Deer, were it 

 not my intention to lay before you, at some future period, in the form of 

 a distinct work, the observations which I have made on the various 

 Quadrupeds of our extensive territories. 



Illustrations of any kind require to be presented in the best possible 

 light. We shall therefore suppose that we are now about to follow the 

 true hunter, as the Still Hunter is also called, through the interior of the 

 tangled woods, across morasses, ravines, and such places, where the game 

 may prove more or less plentiful, even should none be found there in the 

 first instance. We shall allow our hunter all the agihty, patience, and 

 care, which his occupation requires, and will march in his rear, as if we 

 were spies, watching all his motions. 



His dress, you observe, consists of a leather hunting-shirt, and a 



