American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-02-05
Deer Stalking.

THE art of following tn red deer by
cautious maneuvering for the purpose of
bringing it down with the rifle, as prac-
ticed in the Highlands of Scotland, is
perhaps unequaled as a sport in fatigue
as well as excitement. The extensive
tracts of hill land over which the deer
roam and on which they are stalked are
called deer forests" though many of
them, notwithstanding the appellation,
are unable to boast of single tree.
Where these so-called forests belong to
noblemen and others peculiarly addicted
to the sport the deer are preserved almost
to the utter exclusion of sheep and other
cattle. The sport is SO highly esteemed
by the Scotch people that greater attention
is paid to it and more money expended
upon it by its devotees than upon any
causes: first, the intense excitement of
the chase; and second, the comparative
scarceness of good forests.
The accessories connected with deer
stalking are also very expensive. 1t is
necessary to have one or more guides to
accompany the stalker, hill men to drive
the game when that method of obtaining
a shot is determined upon, and deer
hounds to pursue and bring the wounded
game to bay. However excellent
marksman deer-stalker may be, and
though he may be tolerably conversant
with the general "lay'' and bearings of
the ground, he is almost always accom-
panied by an experienced guide, upon
whose cool judgment, keen eye and
thorough knowledge of every rock and
knoll in the " forcst' depends greatly
his chance of obtaining a shot. In the
first place, it is necessary to adopt dress
resembling as nearly as possible the color
OF the ground to be gone over. In this
matter hint might be taken from the
American Indian. In preparing for a
deer hunt the savages of our continent
wisely discard all their war paint and
brilliant adOrnments, and select costume
that harmoniZes with the banks of the
trees and decayed logs by which they are
surrounded. Thus with their bronzed
faces they are nearly invisible while steal
ing through the thickets and lairs. Be-
sides this, the deer-stalker should always
possess rifle of first-rate make, previous
ly practiced with at various distances, and
deerhOund or more, trained to watch in
perfect silence for the slightest look or
sign from his master. He must also be
>the fortunate pOssessor of a robust consti-
tuition, equal to the fatigue and exposure
OF making his way over the ground,
sometimes crOuching, crawling, advanc-
ing feet foremost on his back, and wading
through pools and streams of water And
when we add to all this the most unflinch-
ing perseverance and untiring patience,
all is not said; for unless he is gifted by
nature or experience with nerve to take
instant and careful advantage of the rare
opportunities a days stalk may offer,
his previous care and toll must go for
nothing.
Deer are gifted with remarkably keen
scent, fact of which the stalker is well
aware and for which he must allow by adj
vancing upon his game up the wind. They
are also very far-sighted and prone TO take
alarm at the slightest sound-iaculties
which warn the stalker never to let him
self or his attendant be seen, and TO OBJ
serve the strictest silence. Deer, if dis
turbed, for the most part look tor the