202 
British Deer and their Horns 
many will not even take the trouble to use the larger sizes of shot, the result is that more 
beasts are wounded than killed. Now this is manifestly unfair, and fairness in sport being a 
quality we especially pride ourselves upon, it is enough to make any right-thinking sports¬ 
man blush to know that such things go on year after year, and that another nation (the 
Germans) set us an example we might follow to advantage. They stalk him wherever 
possible, and in that country, where roe-hunting is largely practised, any member of a party 
who used small shot would scarcely be regarded with favour. 
A roe-hunt as it is now carried out is often about as unsportsmanlike a series of blunders 
as could well be imagined, and one of its chief faults is the fact that that individual exercise 
of woodcraft, which is the chief glory of all forms of hunting, is entirely done away with. 
COMING DOWN THE PASS 
Some of the happiest days of my life have been spent pottering about in our Northern 
woods, with only the companionship of the keepers and a brace of good dogs, and picking 
up an occasional roebuck, whose passes and modes of life I have made it my business to study. 
On the other hand, what a lot of roe-hunts I have seen where the little deer were driven by 
a whole crowd of shouting beaters, whose only object—generally unsuccessful—was to force 
them to the guns, who were simply stationed and took as much care to conceal themselves 
as if they were shooting rabbits. Though all the deer in the various beats may be seen, one 
half will break back, whilst most of the others will have slipped away at odd corners, and 
the result of the whole day would be one or two does and several half-grown calves. 
The best time to hunt roe with the shot-gun is from the beginning of October till the 
ioth of November, that is to say if heads are desired ; but the animals themselves are in the 
best condition from Christmas till the end of February. By ascertaining the passes used by 
the roe, and having the assistance of only three beaters, one, or at most two guns can in October 
