Hunting -- Spain; Natural history -- Spain; Spain -- Description and travel
Having noted the spoor of a single hind at the breeding-time, one may
follow to the spot where she is suckling her young. But so soon as one
observes the prints of these spasmodic jumps with which the mother
instils into her offspring a sense of caution (as above described), one
may then begin leisurely to examine every bush round about. In one of
these the calf will be found lying curled up without a bed and with its
nose resting on its hip.[25] It will at first offer some slight
resistance, but once captured, may be set free with the certainty that
it will not make any attempt to escape.
The only enemies the full-grown stag has to fear are mankind and the
wolf, but chiefly the latter, since not only do single wolves destroy in
this sierra large numbers of the newly born calves, but, worse still,
when a troop of wolves have once tasted venison they commence habitually
to hunt both hinds and even the younger stags, which they persistently
follow day after day till the deer are absolutely worn out. They then
pull them down, the final scene usually occurring in some deep ravine or
mountain burn.
The calves of red deer, as happens with ibex kids, are also preyed upon
by golden eagles.
DEER-SHOOTING
As regards sport, the best results are only attainable by _monterías_,
or extended drives, assuming that the district is thickly jungled, and
generally of elevated situation. There is also a system of shooting at
the "roaring-time," but that is uncertain owing to the rapidity of the
stag's movements, the thick bush, and the risk of his getting the wind.
Practised trackers are in the habit of hunting _á la greña_, which
consists in observing the deer at daybreak, selecting a good stag, and
afterwards following his spoor at midday (at which hour deer, while
enjoying their siesta, are quite apt to lie close) and shooting as he
springs from his lair (_al arrancár_).
[Illustration: RED DEER HEADS, SIERRA MORÉNA.
ZAMUJAK, JAËN.
Points 16. Length 38-3/4 in.
VALDELAGRANA.
Points 16. Length 40-5/8 in.]
SIERRA QUINTANA.
Points 15. Length 37-1/2 in.
RISQUILLO.
Points 14. Length 36-3/4 in.]
A really big stag is nearly always found alone, or should he have a
companion, the second will also be an animal of large size. Such stags
are never seen with hinds, excepting in the autumn (_celo_).
The system of the _montería_, or mountain-drive, is described in detail
in the following chapter.
TABLE OF SPANISH IBEX HEADS
Measured by the Authors, or other stated Authority.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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