86 GAME ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



sen'e in good stead. The bodily powers are not the only ones 

 which should be well-developed, for the brain should be active and 

 energetic as the body itself. Great control over the feelings is ab- 

 solutely essential ; for the giving way to exultation and hope, or 

 depression produced by the fear of losing a shot, will generally 

 cause that which is most to be feared. Above all, temperance 

 must be practiced — no sliaking hand or flinching eye will serve the 

 purpose of the still-hunter ; nor will the parched throat or the per- 

 spiring skin avail him when rushing up the hillside or through the 

 winding valley. In fact, strict training, in all its details, is required ; 

 and the more it is carried out, the more complete will be the suc- 

 cess of the practicer of its disagreeable duties. The dress of the 

 deer-stalker should be light and elastic, yet tolerably warm. The 

 head should be covered with a close-fitting cap or soft hat. The 

 color of all should be sober and natural ; grey or a mixture of black 

 and white, dr brown being as good as any, since it accords well 

 with the rocks and ground which are so common in the haunts of 

 the deer.'' 



The sportsman should never attempt stalking the Virginia Deer 

 unless he has nerves of steel, is strong, active, and an untiring walk- 

 er. Not only the greatest walking powers are required in stalking, 

 but it becomes a tiresome g^t, as stooping and not unfrequently 

 crawling on the ground for a'long distance is necessary in order to 

 reach i particular spot, unseen by the deer. Deer-stalking is sim- 

 ply man vs. brute ; and requires all the strength, craft and coolness 

 of the man, before he can lay low the deer, who is possessed of a 

 much keener sense of smell, immense speed, excessive nervous or- 

 ganization, and is ever on the alert to circumvent its human foe. 



The deer has by no means a quick sight, but his hearing and 

 nose are of the most refined order. The garments of sportsmen 

 should assimilate as nearly as possible with the autumn foliage of 

 the forest ; the boots to be worn should be a kind of moccasin with 

 a not too thick, but flexible sole without nails of any kind as nails 

 coming in contact with stones and rocks, alarm the animal before 

 the hunter can get within range. In walking lift the feet well off 

 the ground, and let the ball of the foot touch the earth first ; step 

 high, and in fact imitate the Indian's peculiar gait. In shooting 

 never aim at the head of the deer, unless you are a dead shot, as 



