280 TEN YEARS OF GAME-KEEPING 
It is a marvel that there are not more shooting 
accidents. The great objection to a careless man 
with a gun is that he is far more likely to shoot 
somebody else than himself. I have seen two 
people escape by inches what must have been 
fatal accidents. But ought one to say ‘accident’? 
for in each instance it was nothing but sheer 
carelessness: the shooters, carrying a hammerless 
gun under the arm, could not take the trouble 
to look what they were doing, but felt for the 
safety-bolt, and pushed a trigger instead. When 
a shooter is turning round, it is a golden rule not 
to have a finger on the trigger, no matter how 
safely the muzzle may be pointing. A foot may 
trip in a bramble or against a stub, and—down 
comes the muzzle to the level of men’s heads 
and hearts. And off goes the gun. By paying 
ten shillings anyone is entitled to carry and use 
a gun. Ought there not to be some regulation 
demanding proof that each individual understands 
the safe handling of a gun before he or she is 
granted a licence? I never had to deal with a 
lady shooter, and I hope I never shall. 
What is the definition of a ‘reared’ pheasant? 
In these days, when there is so much letting of 
shooting, it is important that the term ‘reared’ 
should have some definite meaning. There is a 
very great difference between reared pheasants and 
pheasants that are being reared. A representation 
