401 Poachers and Poaching. 



sometimes very destructive. In well-preserved districts they 

 are absent, but in badly-preserved ones they and the 

 gentleman poacher often come in for the best share of the 

 sport therein obtainable. Anyone who preserves should be 

 most careful never by any chance to infringe upon his 

 neighbour's rights, or to allow his friends or dependants 

 to commit a similar indiscretion. Not only does this 

 produce ill-feeling between the proprietors, but the feud 

 invariably reaches the keepers, and the amount of mis- 

 chief these latter will do one another in the destruction of 

 game must prove disastrous. 



Further, there are some well-to-do men who think 

 nothing of doing a little poaching now and then, chiefly in 

 localities sparsely populated, where keepers are scarce, and 

 whence the records of their misbehaviour are not likely to 

 reach their acquaintances. Their favourite plan is to ask 

 permission to take a short cut through one's ground, and 

 " presume Mr. So-and-so will not object to their taking a 

 shot at anything which may cross the path, provided the 

 game is brought up to the House; it is merely the sport 

 that is desired." The best answer to these gentry is to 

 request them to keep clear of the place altogether. 



The prevention of poaching is dependent, in the main, 

 upon the gamekeeper; but, as I have tried to show, it 

 depends also upon the proprietor of the preserve to no 

 inconsiderable extent. 



Of the duties of gamekeepers in regard to poaching it 

 is necessary to state little beyond giving what are the chief 

 qualifications of a good keeper, and to detail such aids as 

 he may enlist in combating the attacks of poachers. A 

 perfect gamekeeper is invaluable ; he must above all things 

 be thoroughly devoted to his work, and be prepared to 

 carry out his duty under all adverse circumstances. 

 Civility, firmness, and courage should be his chief charac- 



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