ROE SHOOTING. 295 



and thither, nibbling the tender shoots of the wild rose and 

 bramble that clothe the wood fences ; you will often see them 

 play sad havoc with the tops of young oak-trees, a habit that 

 has given them a bad character for destructiveness with foresters. 

 Until the leaves fall, oak woods are favourite resorts of 

 roe-deer ; then, once the branches are bared by frost and wind, 

 they quit these for fir plantations, as affording better shelter and 

 more quiet. Roe, like other deer, shed their horns, and it is 

 generally the first week in April before the new growth is clear of 

 velvet. In this respect, however, they vary with seasons, being 

 more backward some years than in others ; but in regard to 

 fitness for food, they can hardly be said to be in condition till 

 November, and they are at their best about the end of December 

 and during January. 



Compared with deer-stalking, roe shooting is naturally inferior 

 as a sport, for the quarry is more insignificant, and its surroundings 

 are different ; yet it may be made a very effective substitute if 

 the habits of the animal be studied, for it will be found in some 

 methods of pursuit a sufficient test of that knowledge of woodcraft 

 which is the very essence of sport. 



Roe-deer shooting may be followed under various conditions 

 and in various ways. They may be stalked, beaten for, or 

 hunted, by a hound or hounds, and so driven to the guns posted 

 in "passes," for roe-deer, like hares, have their regular runs. 

 In Germany, indeed, another method obtains, viz. " calling " 

 the bucks during the rutting season in July, when the roe 

 forgets and forgoes his generally cautious habits, but this method 

 rightly finds no favour with the British sportsman, and when 

 shot at this season the animal is nearly worthless for food. 



