| While stalking the hunter should make frequent stops in | | | | sort, where the deer has seen me, I consider a |
| order to scan the surrounding area and obtain a true | | | | stealthy approach as useless and I walk boldly, trying |
| picture instead of a distorted one and carrying a | | | | to create the impression that I am not interested in the |
| concealing object between himself and the deer would | | | | deer but have other business in the woods. Deer will |
| be an advantage. The hunter can take a good | | | | not always be deceived by this procedure, so the |
| advantage of the deer's motion when he is rising from | | | | hunter should be prepared to shoot at all times after |
| rest. Here he can take a good shot while the deer is | | | | he has seen the deer. |
| rising from rest. Get always ready to take your shot. | | | | In stalking deer, it is well for the hunter to consider the |
| Of course, a man who is stalking a deer should keep | | | | fact that a man's eyes are usually over five feet |
| some concealing object between himself and the deer. | | | | above the ground, while those of a deer are seldom |
| This is comparatively easy if the deer's exact location | | | | as high as that. This gives two different angles of sight |
| is known, but if, as is usually the case, he is stalking an | | | | and sometimes low branches will obscure a man's |
| area where he suspects a deer to be hiding, | | | | vision while the deer is able to see under them and |
| concealment becomes increasingly difficult as he | | | | spot the motion of the hunter's feet and legs long |
| approaches that area. While concealing himself from | | | | before the hunter is able to see the deer. This is often |
| one part of the area, he is apt to reveal himself to a | | | | true of deer which are in their bed. The only way to |
| deer which might be in a different part of that area. | | | | overcome this condition is for the hunter to take an |
| The only thing the hunter can do about this situation is | | | | occasional look from a position near the ground. |
| to keep a close watch on the entire area so that he | | | | I have stalked quite a few deer that were in their beds. |
| will see the deer as soon as possible. Usually there is | | | | Most of them were merely resting and chewing heir |
| enough intervening cover to permit the hunter to | | | | cud, but two of them were actually asleep. I watched |
| approach to a point which is within gunshot range of | | | | one of these from a distance of about fifty feet for |
| the deer, and then it is up to him to see the deer | | | | several minutes. It was curled into its usual sleeping |
| before it makes its escape. | | | | position and the eyes were closed. As I watched, the |
| If the exact location of the deer is known, stalking | | | | deer's head snapped erect, the animal came to its feet |
| procedure is simplified unless the deer is in open | | | | and it stood there looking at me until I moved and it |
| country. In the latter case it is necessary to approach | | | | had identified me as a man. Some slight eddy of air |
| the animal from the back or, if this is not possible, to | | | | must have carried my scent to the sleeping animal and |
| advance while the deer is not looking. This is practically | | | | it was instantly alerted to its danger. This incident |
| impossible unless the deer is occupied in feeding. | | | | shows what a wonderful sense of smell these animals |
| It requires exceptionally good eyesight to spot a deer | | | | possess. |
| in its bed; however, it must come to its feet before | | | | While stalking keep a close watch on the entire area, |
| running and this motion of rising is often the hunter's | | | | so that you will see the deer as soon as possible. And |
| first good chance to spot the animal. Some deer come | | | | if the exact location of the deer is identified it is easier |
| to their feet and start running with almost the same | | | | to stalk and approach the deer and on the open |
| motion, but if they are uncertain of the hunter's | | | | country. And most importantly your motion could play a |
| intentions, they will often stand long enough for an | | | | major part in your approach to the deer. The eyesight |
| aimed shot or possibly a closer approach. If the hunter | | | | of the hunter is very important in spotting the motions |
| should decide that an alerted deer might permit a | | | | of the deer. And the position of the eyes is also |
| closer approach, he should move in a direction that will | | | | equally important. The also possess a wonderful sense |
| take him past the deer at the desired distance instead | | | | of smell. |
| of walking directly towards the animal. In cases of this | | | | |