CHAMOIS 
but to the skilled rifleman it scarcely presents enough difficulty or variety, 
wherefore it is all the more surprising that the various and excellent roe, 
stag and chamois shoots in Austria, that often come into the market, are 
not more largely sought for by British sportsmen. These can often be 
rented at a price at least one -fourth of what a small Highland forest would 
cost, whilst the other expenses are small. Three or four stags’ heads really 
worth putting on the walls of one’s house ought to be killed in a season, 
whilst the chase of chamois and roe by fair stalking is a sport of the highest 
class. 
In Austria the rifle now generally used is the Mannlicher-Schoenauer, 
an excellent weapon, with a very flat trajectory. The old Rumanian 
Mannlicher is equally good, but the opening below the magazine is bad, 
and allows snow, dirt, and vegetable matter to enter when crawling. 
Telescopic sights are generally used in Austria, and some riflemen become 
very adept at using this aid to sight, even at moving objects. In many 
preserves only single-barrelled rifles are permitted, as this is found to 
be a great deterrent to wild shooting. The Emperor of Austria never uses 
a magazine rifle. The rifle should be light and handy, and for chamois 
shooting perhaps the best made is a small double-barrelled .360 manu- 
factured by Springer, of Vienna. It is quite a little toy to look at, but 
wonderfully effective even at long ranges. The rifle should have a sling. 
Other appurtenances of the chamois hunter are the (1) Rucksack , a 
strong bag of canvas, furnished with two leather straps, through which 
the arms are passed; in this he can carry food, drink and Steigeisen , 
or crampons, which are necessary in long grass or on ice. (2) The boots 
should be the mountaineering boots of the country, with a row of large 
flange-nails on the outer edge of the soles. (3) The Berg-stock % or staff, 
should be of well-seasoned hazel, a foot taller than the man himself, 
and have an iron point and be capable of bearing a man’s whole weight. 
(4) A good telescope or field -glass. Ordinary shooting clothes of grey or 
green are generally worn, whilst the chamois-hunter “ shorts ” of the 
country are most serviceable, ordinary knickerbockers being unable to 
stand the wear of the rocks. 
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