The Amateur Poacher

by Richard Jefferies


Contents

[PREFACE]
[CHAPTER I. THE FIRST GUN]
[CHAPTER II. THE OLD PUNT: A CURIOUS “TURNPIKE”]
[CHAPTER III. TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION]
[CHAPTER IV. EGG-TIME: A “GIP”-TRAP]
[CHAPTER V. WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET]
[CHAPTER VI. LURCHER-LAND: “THE PARK”]
[CHAPTER VII. OBY, AND HIS SYSTEM: THE MOUCHER’S CALENDAR]
[CHAPTER VIII. CHURCHYARD PHEASANTS: BEFORE THE BENCH]
[CHAPTER IX. LUKE, THE RABBIT-CONTRACTOR: THE BROOK PATH]
[CHAPTER X. FARMER WILLUM’S PLACE: SNIPE-SHOOTING]
[CHAPTER XI. FERRETING: A RABBIT-HUNTER]
[CHAPTER XII. A WINTER NIGHT: OLD TRICKS: PHEASANT-STALKING: MATCHLOCK VERSUS BREECH-LOADER: CONCLUSION]

PREFACE

The following pages are arranged somewhat in the order of time, beginning with the first gun, and attempts at shooting. Then come the fields, the first hills, and woods explored, often without a gun, or any thought of destruction: and next the poachers, and other odd characters observed at their work. Perhaps the idea of shooting with a matchlock, or wheel-lock, might, if put in practice, at least afford some little novelty.

R.J.

THE AMATEUR POACHER

CHAPTER I
THE FIRST GUN