Rensselaer Union and Jasper Republican, Volume 8, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1876 — Deer Stalking. [ARTICLE]

Deer Stalking.

The art of following the red deer by cautious maneuvering foe the purpose off bringing it down with the rifle, as practiced 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 a single tree. Where these so-called forests belong t» 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 tbe Scotch people that greater attention is paid to it and more money expended upon it by its devotees than upon any other amusement. This arises from two causes: first; the intense excitement of the chase; and second, the comparative scarceness of good forests. The accessories connected with, deerstalking are alsyvery expensive. It 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 deerhounds to pursue and bring the wounded game to bay. However excellent a marksman a deer-stalker may be, and though he may be tolerably conversant with the general “ lay” and bearings of the ground, he is almost always accompanied by an experienced guide, upon whose cool judgment, keen-eye and thorough knowledge of every rook, abd knoll Ml the “forest” depends greatly his chance f obtaining a shot. In the first place, it Is necessary to adopt a dress resembling as nearly as possible the color of the ground to be gone ewer. In this matter a bint might be taken from the American Indian. In preparing tor a ! deer “hunt the savages of our continent ! wisely discard all their war-paint and I brilliant adornments, and select a costume ! tli,it harmonizes with the barks of tbe trees and decayed logs toy which they are surrounded. Thus with their bronzed faces they are nearly invisible white stealing through tlie thickets and laiza. Be-, sides this, the deer-stalk# should always ; possess a rifle of fir>t-.%te make, prevtaus- ! ly practiced with ai various distances, and a deer-hound *r more, trained to watch it» perfect silence for the slighte-t look <»r sign from his master. He must also be the fortunate poa-earor of a robust cou„tilution, equal to the fatigue and expeStftf®

of making bi* way over the ground, sometime* crouching, crawling, advancing feet foremoat on nia back, and wading through pool* and streams of water. And when we add to all thin the roost un flinch' ing perseverance and untiring patience, all is not said; far unless he ta gifted by nature or experience with nerve to take instant and careful advantage of the rare opportunities a day's stalk may offer, his previous care and toil must go for nothing. Deer are gifted with remarkably been scent, a fjjct of which the stalker is well aware and for which he most allow by advancing qpou his game up the wind. They are also very far-sighted and prone totake alarm, at the slightest sound—faculties which warn the stalker never to let himself or his attendant be seen, and to observe die strictest silence. Deer, if disturbed, for the most part look for the cause 8s proceeding from the lout groundi and rarefy from above. This peculiarity is duly taken advantage : of by the sportsman, who accordingly advances upon his game, wind permitting, frequently by the most circuitous and precipitous paths, but' always down hill. When thus approaching deer that are feeding -in, the valley belbw the utmost 1 caution is requisite both as regards speed and the modeqf progression. The stalker must advance inch by inch; resting upon, his elbows,, and pushing himself forward 1 by his feet; he must observe every motion -of the deer,, stop when they cease from eating; and retain his position, however irksome it may be, till, his game recommence pasturing. He must* never even, for an instantdisplay the slightest unusual motion during his toilsome and stealthy advance,, ana, must submit implicitly to ■ every signal and whisper from his guide. During protracted stalks, especially when the nature of* the ground between, the sportsman and the deer is free from, sheltering knolls, the stalker’s patience is tried to the utmost by having to pause so > frequently in his-progress. The stalk, however, is not usually so much directly toward the deer as for some‘intervening knoll)or rock, where a little breathing; space and relaxation! of limb may be obtained' before firing. Every Scottish deerstalker is familiar with the whispered, warning announced, by the disappointed guide, “ The auld hind’s looking.” Her vigilance>nce aroused, the hunter’* only chance of a shot is to remain motionlessuntil her fears subside; but it more frequently happens that her alhrm is-com-municated to the rest, and the whole party take their flight over the hillSv

To approach, a herd; of deer near enough to shoot them with, an ordinaryrifle requires am amount of patience that few possess. Their suspicious nature must be conciliated by penances of almost suspended animation. The hunter must crawl: upon his victim not only against the wind, but he must move with the-silence ofi a cloud's shadow. 8# alert* are these timid animals thatv when one of them is reposing, he satisfies himself' that the wind will convey the approach,of the enemy from one quarter, aud.theoliee down with his head turned in, the opposite direction, that he may guard ggainat surprise on «U sides. i v xi The deer is usually considered , a most harmless animal, and poets-have created much sympathy for them by. representing that when hunted, and overtaken by. the hounds, they have been known to weep. There is no reasonable authority for this statement, however, and irnfact the deer sis not only provided with powerful weapons for destroying, his enemies, but does not fail to avail himself of them, and will sometimes commence thebtttle with out provocation. In the year-1808 the Earliof Berkeley was walking with his little son in one of his parks-when he was; set upon by a deer that he kept at a curiosity. The Earl seized the- horns of the animal with, both hands, bravely holding on, after he was knocked down and trampled upon, by the furious beast. In this critical condition, he cried to the child not to be alarmed, bub to come near enough, if possible, to-take-the knife from his pocket mid stab the deer or cut his throat. The boy obeyed), found the knife aud wgttto work upon, the- throat of the animism His courage, however, was greater than his strength, and he could net cut the deer’s windpipe. Still he did not desist, but dealt the animal such a succession! of furious Mows, each one drawing the blood, that the deer finally became weakened, and yielding to the bey’s brave and determined attack turned and; fled, just aa rise Earl was about to loosen his hold through exhaustion.— Hmrpe?'* Wukiu.