3-034-661 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Highland Deerstalking: "By George! Missed Again", 1871. 'Of all the sports pursued in season by men who seek their pleasure in the killing of animals on the mountains and moors of North Britain, the most arduous and laborious is probably that of the rifleman in pursuit of the red deer...many writers have described the manner in which the swift and wary beast may be approached near enough for a shot, by creeping towards him under cover of every crag, dyke, tuft of heather,...taking care always to keep to leeward of the sagacious creature, so as not to be betrayed to his observation by the scent. It must be a difficult enterprise, tasking all the skill and ingenuity, as well as the patience and bodily strength, of the determined sportsman..."By George! missed again!" is an exclamation often heard from the lips of a disappointed shooter, a few seconds after the crack of the shot has sounded through the clear mountain air, scattering the frightened herd far away upon the hills, while Donald grins behind his master's back at the failure which he doubtless foresaw, and Luath and Bran tug at the leash, impatient for a scamper after the flying deer. The tallest and fattest of these may now live to be shot by a surer hand on another day'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.