THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
“ Castle ” roebuck, and I have not the least doubt that they were correct. 
The poacher in question died the same autumn, or I should have gained 
the story from him. He was doubtless passing along the road at the time 
the roe fell, and thought it a good opportunity to take it with him — a sort 
of gift of the gods. Some years ago when I was in Inverness, a well-known 
poacher who used to hunt the Dochfour Woods regularly was crossing 
the Ness with a roe on his back, and his loaded gun, in two pieces, in his 
long game bag. The weight of the buck caused him to stumble, the gun 
went off, and he was killed dead on the spot. Most of the best roebucks’ 
heads that find their way into the hands of the Scottish taxidermists are 
got by poachers. As the buck has a habit of returning morning and 
night to the same spot, his presence is marked, and a shot at dawn or in 
the gloaming is not easily detected. Even if heard, the keepers or stalkers 
think it is only some farmer shooting a rabbit, and no attention is paid to 
the circumstance. 
It is very seldom that the sportsman obtains a shot at an old buck in the 
course of a day’s covert shooting in Scotland. He may do so if he is walking 
in line with the beaters, and even then must be prepared for a snap-shot. 
By far the best way to kill a good one in places where the rifle cannot 
be used, is to go out alone with three or four drivers and to choose some 
hiding place commanding a pass used by the animals. In the big day of 
covert shooting the forward guns never think of concealing themselves, 
as they are generally more intent on watching for pheasants, capercaillie, 
or woodcock, so their presence is sure to be detected by Roe even when at 
a considerable distance. I have often seen Roe stop in their first onward 
rush, halt, and then break back or out at the flanks, having seen the guns 
ahead, which they fear more than the noise in the rear. 
To allow Roe to come forward, the heading gun must be absolutely still, 
as well as concealed, and the little deer will generally come on if the drivers 
keep up a gentle tapping. Roe, on being moved, generally advance a 
hundred yards or so, and then stop and listen. If all seems clear ahead 
they come on another hundred yards or so, and again stop and watch. 
If they are then satisfied that there is no danger ahead they will travel 
forward for a long way at a slow bounding gallop. 
Good sport may also be obtained by driving Roe to certain passes, by 
means of a slow-moving hound, such as a beagle or basset. 
In large organized shoots where Roe are forced forward, it is seldom 
that any but the does and young come to the guns. The old bucks take 
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