On a few occasions I have been able to smell deer before I saw them. I have never succeeded in killing any of these without a chase, but the odor is so distinctive that there was no mistaking it. On an average day this odor is not noticeable, but when the air is damp and heavy with the threat of rain, all of the forest odors hug the ground; and under these conditions a deer may be located by scent if the air movement is towards the hunter and if the deer has just left its bed. Of course, it is impossible to kill a deer by shooting at its scent.



Since so many inanimate objects may be mistaken for game by hunters who are mentally conditioned to expect to see game, the possibilities of mistaking living objects is very great. When a hunter has nearly decided that an object might be a deer and that object makes definite and unmistakable movements which seem to confirm his opinion, there is an almost irresistible impulse to shoot lest the animal sneak off without allowing a clearer view. This impulse should be resisted.

There is no great harm done by shooting at an inanimate object and, usually, a few dollars will appease the owner of any livestock that might be killed in mistake for game. But the very fact that a mistake has been made reveals a tendency to shoot without proper identification; and unless this tendency is corrected, there is always a strong possibility that sooner or later that hunter may mistake a human for game.

Such a tragic mistake cannot be corrected by any amount of regret. No man is entirely immune to making mistakes. My experience with the deer which wasn't there proved to me that I was not infallible. Since that time I have been doubly cautious while in the woods. I have tried to condition myself to the idea that I am more apt to see another hunter than I am to see a deer, also to view each suspected object with the idea of proving that it is or is not a man. The idea of wearing clothing of a distinctive color as a protection is good; however, while it undoubtedly prevents many accidents, it does not afford complete protection. The common red and black, or red and green, wool coat or jacket absorbs light rays instead of reflecting them and on cloudy days or at dawn and dusk these fabrics do not show their true color. The newer smooth-finish reflective-fabrics in the bright red color are easily seen at great distances and the color is readily recognized.

My principle objection to the use of red clothing is that it conditions hunters to identify objects by color instead of by their form and actions and as a result they are apt to regard as a deer any object that does not show red. Since the woods are not the exclusive property of deer hunters, this can result in the shooting of non hunters who have a legal right to be in the woods without being compelled to wear red clothing. When we get down to fundamentals, the hunter is responsible for his actions. It is up to each one to prevent accidental shootings, by his conduct and not by the use of protective clothing. No amount of red or any other colored clothing which he is wearing will prevent him from shooting another person regardless of the clothing that other person is wearing. Although red clothing may prevent him from being the victim, it will never prevent him from shooting another.

It is up to each one to prevent accidental shootings, by his conduct and not by the use of protective clothing. No amount of red or any other colored clothing which he is wearing will prevent him from shooting another person regardless of the clothing that other person is wearing. Although red clothing may prevent him from being the victim, it will never prevent him from shooting another. It is very important for a hunter that he has to make sure the target before shooting to avoid the accident.