Too frequently the roe deer is killed in August, whereas then he is
never in condition. In driving Scotch woodlands for these little deer, a
very few good beaters are better than a great crowd of noisy boys.
Shouting and talking leads to the deer breaking back, for they are less
afraid of a crowded line of yelling boys than of the silent unknown
enemy which gives but an occasional tap together of two sticks. This is
a more effectual plan than tapping the tree trunks. Six beaters in this
way can be effective in a beat half a mile wide, and will send the deer
forward, where forty shouting boys will cause all the deer to break away
at the flanks, or to lie still until the line has passed, and then to
“break back.” The reason is probably that when the path of each boy is
accurately to be gauged by the sound made, the deer know whether they
will have to move or not long before the line approaches near, and
consequently act just in that way which is best to avoid a known danger.
But the few beaters, with the occasional tap of a stick, is something
quite unknown, and the nerves of the deer cannot stand it. They are up
and off long before the line approaches near, and they flee not to the
flanks or back, but straight ahead.
Roe deer are as easily killed with shot guns as hares—indeed, more
easily. The writer has known one to be killed with No. 6 shot at 60
yards range, and instantaneously dead, too. It seems to be causing
unnecessary danger to take out high velocity or express rifles for these
deer drives; and besides, with them it is impossible to make a bag of
winged game at the same time. A rabbit rifle is hardly powerful enough
to avoid wounding and losing deer, unless the vitals are hit with an
expanding bullet, and as the roe is generally shot running, the author
is not inclined to condemn the use of the shot gun as unsportsmanlike.
No. 4 shot are equally useful for roe deer and capercailzie and black
game, or the three principal occupants of the Scotch woodlands.
Pheasants also can be equally well killed with No. 4 shot as with No. 6,
and will be the better for the table by reason of the change. If a rifle
of any kind is used, an expanding bullet is by far the best to avoid
wounded beasts getting away. Roe deer are often condemned as inferior to
mutton, but the writer is not of that opinion. Half the mutton is spoilt
in flavour by the “dressings,” or rather “dips,” used for the protection
from or cure of sheep scab—a horrible disease with a filthy cure.