The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Deer-stalking

DEER-STALKING, an exciting but laborious mode of hunting the red-deer, in which, on account of the extreme shyness of the game, their far-sightedness and keen sense of smell, they have to be approached by cautious manœuvring before a chance of obtaining a shot occurs. Great patience and tact and a thorough knowledge of the grouod are essential to a good stalker, who has to undergo many discomforts in crouching, creeping and wading through bogs, etc. Advance from higher to lower ground is usually made, since the deer are always apt to look to the low ground as the source of danger. “Deer-driving” toward a point where the shooters are concealed is often practised, but is regarded as poor sport by the true deer-stalker.