But Where and When shall we find him? Examine the following Annual or monethly Season-Description, and you shall find him; begining at the end of Rutting-time, that is, In
November, in Heaths among Furs, Shrubs and Whines.
December, in Forrests among thick and strong Woods.
January, in Corners of the Forrests, Corn-fields, Wheat, Rye, &c.
February and March, Amongst young and thick Bushes.
April and May, in Coppices and Springs.
June and July, in Out-Woods and Purlieus nearest the Corn Fields.
September and October, After the first showers of Rain, they leave their Thickets, and go to Rut, during which time there is no certain place to find them in.
When you have found him in any of these places, be careful to go up the Wind; and the best time to find him is before Sun-rising, when he goes to feed; then watch him to his Leir, and having lodged him, go and prepare; if he is not forced, he will not budge till Evening. Approaching his Lodging, cast off your Finders, who having Hunted him a Ring or two, cast in the rest; and being in full Cry and maine Chace, Comfort and Cheer them with Horne and Voice. Be sure to take notice of him by some Mark, and if your Dogs make Default, rate them off and bring them to the Default back, and make them cast about till they have undertaken the first Deer; Then cheer them to the utmost, and so continue till they have either set up or slain him. It is the Nature of a Stag, to seek for one of his kind, when he is Imbost or weary, and beating him up, ly down in his place; therefore have a watchful eye unto Change. As likewise by taking Soil (i. e. Water) he will swim a River just in the middle down the Stream, covering himself all over, but his Nose, keeping the middle, least by touching any Boughes he leave a Scent for the Hounds; And by his Crossings and Doublings he will endeavour to baffle his Pursuers: In these Cases have regard to your Old Hounds, as I said before. When he is Imbost or weary, may be known thus: By his Creeping into holes, and often lying down, or by his running stiff, high and lumpering, slavering and foaming at Mouth, shining and blackness of his Hair, and much Sweat; And thus much for Stag or Hart Hunting. As for the Buck I shall not speak any thing, for he that can Hunt a Stag well, cannot fail Hunting a Buck well. As likewise for the Roe-Hunting, I refer you to what is spoken of the Hart or Stag.