THE HUNTSMAN

INTRODUCTION
Hunting is a Game and Recreation commendable not only for Kings, Princes, and the Nobility; but likewise for private Gentlemen. And as it is a Noble and Healthy Pastime, so it has been highly prized in all Ages.

Besides, Hunting trains up Youth to the use of manly Exercises in their riper Age. The Incitements of the Chase are various, and striking - The Stately Stag, the Generous Buck, the Wild Boar, the Cunning Otter, the Crafty Fox, and the Fearful Hare; also surprising and catching of Vermin by Engines, as the Fitchet, the Fulimart, the Ferret, the Polecat, the Moldwarp, and the like. Exercise herein preserves Health, and increases Strength and Activity. Other recreations inflame the hot Spirits of Young Men with roving Ambition, love of War, and Seeds of Anger: but the Exercise of Hunting neither remits the Mind to Sloth, or Softness, nor will it (if used with moderation) harden it to Inhumanity; on the contrary, it inclines men to good Acquaintance, and generous Society. It is no small advantage to be inured to bear Hunger, Thirst, and Weariness from one's Childhood: to take up a timely habit of quitting one's Bed early, and loving to sit well and safe upon a Horse. What innocent and natural Delights, to see the day breaking forth those Blushes and Roses which Poets and writers of Romances only paint, but the Huntsman truly courts! To hear the chirping of small Birds, perched upon their dewy Boughs! To draw in the fragrancy and coolness of the morning Air! To exult with the noise of Bugle Horns, and the baying of Hounds, which leap up and play round about the Huntsman!

Nothing doth more recreate the Mind, strengthen the Limbs, whet the Stomach, and clear up the Spirit, when it is heavy, dull, and over-cast with gloomy Cares: Hence these Delights have merited to be in esteem in all Ages, and even amongst barbarous Nations, by their Lords, Princes, and highest Potentates.

It is also admirable to observe the natural Instinct of Enmity and Cunning, whereby one Beast, being as it were confederate with man, by whom he is maintained, serves him in his design upon others. How perfect is the Scent or Smell of a Hound, who never leaves the Chase, but follows it through innumerable changes and varieties of other Scents, even over and in the Water, and into the Earth! Again, how soon will a Hound fix his Eye on the best and fattest Buck of the Herd, single him out, and follow him, and him only, without changing, through a whole herd of rascallion Game, and leave him not till he kills him! Moreover, is it not delightful and pleasant to observe the Docility of Dogs, which is as admirable as their Understanding? For as a right Huntsman knows the Language of his Hounds, so they know his, and the meaning of their own kind, as perfectly as we can distinguish the voices of our friends and acquaintance from such as are strangers.

Again, how satisfied is a curious Mind, nay exceedingly delighted, to see the Game fly before him! And after it has withdrawn itself from his sight, to see the whole Line where it hath passed over, with all the doublings and cross-works, which the amazed and affrighted Beast hath made, recovered again; and all that Maze wrought out by the intelligence which he holds with Dogs! This is most pleasant, and as it were a Master-piece of natural Magic. Afterwards, what Triumph to return with Victory and Spoils, having a good Title both to his Appetite and Repose!

But let us not forget, that there is an especial need to hold a strict Rein over our affections, that this Pleasure, which is allowable in its season, may not intrench upon other Domestic affairs. There is great danger lest we be transported with this Pastime, and so ourselves grow wild; haunting the Woods, till we resemble the Beasts, which are Citizens of them; and by continual conversation with Dogs, become altogether addicted to Slaughter and Carnage, which then becomes dishonourable. For as it is the Privilege of Man, who is endued with Reason, and authorized in the Law of his Creation, to subdue the Beasts of the Field; so to tyrannize over them too much, is Want of Refinement, or downright Brutality.

Observe, I intend this Reflection not so much for the Nobility and Gentry of this Nation, whose expence of time in this noble Exercise can no ways prejudice their large Possessions, since it is so far from being very chargeable, that it is exceeding profitable to the bodily health of such who can dispense with their staying at home, without any Injury to their Families.

I might much enlarge in the commendation of Hunting, but am loth to detain the reader too long from the knowledge of what will make a right and perfect Huntsman. I shall therefore only observe further in this place, that no Music can be more ravishingly delightful than a Pack of Hounds in full cry, to a man whose Heart and Ears are happily set to the tune of such charming Instruments.

HUNTERS' TERMS

Before we treat of the Method that is to be used in obtaining pleasure in the prosecution of this Royal Game, it will be requisite, first to understand those Terms of Art, which Huntsmen, Foresters, and Wood Men use, when they are discoursing of their Profession. And first, let us consider, which are

Beasts of Forest, or Venery, (or Venary), Chase, and Warren.

Old Foresters and Wood Men, with others well acquainted with Hunting, reckon five beasts of Venery, (called also Beasts of Forest) which are these; the Hart, the Hind, the Hare, the Boar, and the Wolf. This is the opinion of Budaeus likewise, in his Treatise of Philology, speaking of the former Beasts, Semper Forestae & Veneris babentur Bestiae: These (saith he) are always accounted Beasts of Venery and Forest.

Some may here object and say, Why should the Hart and Hind, being both of one kind, be accounted two several Beasts? To this I answer, That though they are Beasts of one kind, yet they are of several seasons: for the Hart hath his season in Summer, and the Hind's season begins when the Hart's season is over.

Here note, that with the Hart is included the Stag, and all other Red Deer of Antlers.

There are also five wild Beasts that are called Beasts of Chase, viz. the Buck, the Doe, the Fox, the Marten, and the Roe.

The Beasts and Fowls of Warren, are the Hare, the Rabbit, the Pheasant, and the Partridge; and none other (saith Mr. Manwood) are accounted Beasts or Fowls of Warren.

My Lord Coke is of another opinion, in his Commentary on Lyttleton, 233. There be both Beasts and Fowls of the Warren, saith he: Beasts, as Hares, Conies or Rabbits, and Roes: Fowls of two sorts, Terrestres, (and they of two sorts) Silvestres & Campestres. The first, Wood-cock, &c. The second Partridge, Quail, Rail, &c. Then Aquatiles, as Mallard, Hern &c.

There is great difference between Beasts of Forest and Beasts of Chase; the first are Silvestres tantum, the latter Campestres tantum. The Beasts of the Forest make their abode all the day-time in the great Coverts and secret places in the Woods, and in the night-season they repair into the Lawns, Meadows, Pastures, and pleasant feeding places; and therefore they are called Silvestres, Beasts of the Wood. The Beasts of Chase do reside all the day-time in the Fields, and upon the Hills or high Mountains, where they may see round about them afar off, to prevent danger; but upon night's approach they feed as the rest, in Meadows, &c. and therefore these are called Campestres, Beasts of the Field.

Let us next enquire their Names, Seasons, Degrees, and Ages of Forest or Venery, Chase and Warren: and because the Hart is the most noble, worthy and stately Beast, I shall place him first; and must call a

HART.

The first year, a Hind-calf, or Calf. The second year, a Knobber. The third year, a Brock. The fourth year a Staggard. The fifth year, a Stag. The sixth year, a Hart.

If hunted by the King, a Hart Royal. If he escape and Proclamation be made for his safe return without let or detriment, he is then called a Hart Royal Proclaimed.

It is a vulgar error, according to the opinion of Mr. Guillim, to think that a Stag, of whatever Age he be, shall not be called a Hart, till he be hunted by the King or Queen, and thence he shall derive his Title. Mr George Turbevil says positively, he shall not obtain that name till he is hunted or killed by a Prince. But late Huntsmen do agree, he may be called a Hart at and after the age of six years.

Now if the King or Queen shall happen to hunt or chase him, and he escape with life, he shall ever after be called a Hart Royal: But if he fly so far from the Forest or Chase, that it is unlikely he will ever return there again of his own accord, and Proclamation be made in all Towns and Villages thereabout, that none shall kill or offend him, but that he may safely return if he list; he is then called a Hart Royal Proclaimed.

The second Beast of Venery is called a

HIND

And she is called the first year, a Calf. The second year, a Hearse; and sometimes we say, Brocket's Sister, &c. The third year, a Hind.

The third, which by old Foresters is called the King of all beasts of Venery, is the

HARE

And is called the first year, a Leveret. The second year, a Hare. The third year, a Great Hare.

The fourth, is the

WILD BOAR

The first year, he is a Pig of the Sounder. The second year, he is a Hog. The third year, he is a Hog's Steer. The fourth year, he is a Boar; at which age if not before, he leaveth the Sounder, and then he is called a Singler or Sanglier.

The fifth and last Beast of Venery, is the

WOLF

The Names of the Beasts of Chase, according to their Ages

The first, is the

BUCK

It is called, the first year, a Fawn. The second year, a Pricket. The third year, a Sorel. The fourth year, a Sore. The fifth year, a Buck of the first Head. The sixth year, a Great Buck.

The second Beast of Chase, is the

DOE

She is called, the first year, a Fawn. The second year, a Tegg. The third year, a Doe.

The third, is the

FOX

And is called, the first year, a Cub. The second year, a Fox, and afterwards an Old Fox.

The fourth, is the

MARTEN

The first year, it is called a Cub. The second year, a Marten.

The fifth and last Beast of Chase, is called the

ROE

The first year, it is called a Kid. The second year, a Girl. The third year, a Hemuse. The fourth year, a Roe-Buck of the first Head. The fifth year, a Fair Roe-Buck.

As for the Beasts of the Warren, the Hare hath been spoken of already. The Rabbit is deemed old after the first year.

The Seasons of Beasts.

A Hart or Buck, beginning at the end of Fencer Moreth, which is 15 days after Midsummer Day, and lasteth till Holy-rood Day. The Fox at Christmas, and lasteth till the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin. The Hind or Doe beginneth at Holy-rood Day, and lasteth till Candlemas. The Roe-Buck beginneth at Easter, and lasteth till Michaelmas. The Roe beginneth at Michaelmas, and lasteth till Candlemas. The Hare beginneth at Michaelmas, and lasteth till the end of February. The season of the Wolf is said to be from Christmas till the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. Lastly, the Boar begins at Christmas, and continues to the Purification of the Blessed Virgin.

Terms to be used for Beasts of Venery and Chase, as they are in Numbers together.

A Herd of Harts A Herd of all manner of Deer

Terms for their Lodging

A Bevy of Roes A Hart Harbours A Sounder of Swine A Fox Kennels

Terms for their Dislodging

Terms for their Noise at Rutting Time

Terms of Copulation

A Buck LodgesA Hart or A Marten TreesA Fox goes Buck goes to Rut a-Clickitting A Roe goes to Tourn

Terms for the Footing and Treading of all Beasts of Venery and Chase

Of a Hart, the Slot

Of a Buck and all Fallow Deer, the View

Of all Deer, if on the Grass, and scarce visible, then it is called Foiling

Of a Fox, the Print; and other such Vermin, the Footing

Of an Otter, the Marks

Of a Boar, the Track

Of a Hare, diversly; for when she is in open field, she Soreth: When she winds about to deceive the Hounds, then she Doubleth: When she beateth on the hard Highway, and her Footing can be perceived, then she Pricketh; and in the snow, it is called the Trace of the Hare.

Terms of the Tail

Of a Hart, Buck, or other Deer, the Single

Of a Boar, the Wreath

Of a Fox, the Brush or Drag; and the Tip at the end is called the Chape.

Of a Wolf, the Stern.

Of a Hare and Rabbit, the Scut

Terms for their Ordure

Of a Hart, and all Deer, the Excrement is called Fumets or Fuishing.

Of a Hare, Crotiles or Crotising

Of a Boar, Lesses

Of a Fox, the Billiting; and all other such Vermin, the Fuants.

Of an Otter, the Spraints.

Terms for the Attire of Deer

Of a Stag, if perfect, the Bur, the Pearls (the little Knobs on it), the Beam, the Gutters, the Antler, the Sur-Antler, Royal, Sur-Royal, and all at top the Croches.

Of a Buck, the Bur, the Beam, the Brow-Antler, the Back-Antler, the Advancer, Palm, and Spellers.

If the Croches grow in form of a man's Hand, it is then called a Palmed Head. Heads bearing not above three or four, the Croches being placed aloft all of the height, are called Crowned Heads. Heads having doubling Croches, are called Forked Heads, because the Croches are planted on the top of the Beam like Forks.

If you asked what a Stag bears, you are only to reckon the Croches he bears, and never to express an odd number: As, if he hath four Croches on his near Horn, and five on his far; you must say, he beareth ten, a false Right on his near Horn (for all that the Beam bears are called Rights). If but four on the near Horn, and six on the far Horn; you must say, he bears twelve, a double false Right on the near Horn; for you must not only make the number even, but also the Horns even with that distinction.

When a Hart breaketh Herd, and draweth to the Thickets or Coverts, we usually say, he taketh his Hold, or he goeth to Harbour.

All kind of Deers fat is called Suet; and yet you may say, This Deer was a high Deer of Grease. The fat of a Boar is called Grease. The fat of a Roe only is called Bevy Grease.

We say the Deer is broken up. The Fox and Hare is cased. It is a Litter of Cubs. A Nest of Rabbits. A Squirrel's Dray.

Venison, or Venaison, is so called, from the means whereby the beasts are taken, quoniam ex Venatione capiuntur; and being hunted, are most wholesome.

Beasts of Venary (Not Venery, as some call it) are so termed, because they are gotten by hunting.

No beast of the Forest, that is solivagam & nocivum, is Venison, as the Fox, the Wolf, the Marten, because they are no meat. The Bear is no Venison; because, not only that he is Animal nocivum & solivagam; but because he is no beast of the Forest; and whatsoever is Venison must be a beast of the Forest; sed non e converso. On the other hand, Animalia gregalia non sunt nociva, as the Wild Boar; for naturally the first three years he is Animal gregale; and after trusting to his own strength, and for the pleasure of man, becometh Solivagum. He is then called Sanglier; because he is Singularis; but he is Venison, and to be eaten. The Hare is Venison too; which Martial prefereth before all others:

Inter Quadrupedes gloria prima Lepus.

So are the Red-Deer and Fallow-Deer Venison. Vide Coke, Inst 4, page 316. Give me leave to insert here, out of the same Author, two Conclusions in the Law of the Forest, which follow from hence. First, whatsoever Beast of the Forest is for food of man, that is Venison; thus Virgil, describing a Feast -

Implentur Veteris Bacchi pinguisque ferinae.

They had their belly full of old Wine and fat Venison. So Venison was the principal Dish of the Feast. Secondly, whatsoever beast is not for the food of man, is not Venison. Therefore Capriolus, or the Roe, being no beast of the Forest, is by the Law of the Forest, no Venison unless hunted. Nature hath endowed the beasts of the Forest with two qualities, viz. Swiftness, and Fear; and their Fear increaseth their Swiftness.

Pedibus timor addidit alas.

Vert is any thing that beareth green Leaf, but especially of great and thick Coverts, and is derived a Viriditate. Vert is of divers kinds; some that beareth Fruit that may serve for food both for man and beasts, as Service-trees, Nut-trees, Crab-trees, &c. and for the shelter and defence of Game. Some, called Hautboys, serving for Food and Browse of and for Game, and for the defence of them; as Oaks, Beeches, &c. Some Hautboys, for Browse, Shelter, and Defence only; as Ashes, Poplars, &c. Of Sub-boys, some for Browse and Food of Game, and for their Shelter and Defence; as Maples &c. Some for Browse and Defence; as Birch, Sallow, Willow, &c. Some for Shelter and Defence only; as Elder, Alder, &c. Of Bushes and other Vegetables, some for Food and Shelter, as the Haw-thorn, Black-thorn, &c. Some for Hiding and Shelter, as Brakes, Gorse, Heath &c. Vert, as I said, comes a Viridi; thence Viridarii, because their Office is to look after the preservation of the Vert, which, in truth, is the preservation of Venison.

Terms for Flaying, Stripping, and Casing of all Manner of Chases.

The Hart and all manner of Deer are slain: Huntsmen commonly say, Take off that Deer's Skin. The Hare is Stripped or Cased; and so is the Boar, according to the opinion of the Ancients. The Fox, the Badger, and all manner of Vermin are cased; beginning at the Snout or Nose of the Beast, and turning the Skin over the Ears down to the Body till you come to the Tail.

Proper Terms for the Noises of Hounds.

When Hounds are first cast off, and find some Game or Chase, we say, They Challenge. If they are too busy before they find the scent good, we say, They Bawl. If too busy after they find good scent, we say, They Babble. If they run it end ways orderly, making it good, and then hold in together merrily, we say, They are in full cry. When Spaniels open in the string (or a Grey-hound in his course) we say, They Lapse. When Hounds hang behind, and beat too much upon the scent or place, we say, They Plod. And when they have either Earthed a Vermin, or brought a Deer, Boar, or such-like to turn head against them then we say, They Bay.

Different Terms for Hounds

and Grey-Hounds

Of Grey-hounds, two make a Brace; of Hounds, a Couple. Of Grey-hounds, three make a Leash; and of Hounds, a Couple and Half.

We let slip a Grey-hound, and cast off a Hound. The string wherewith we lead a Grey-hound, is called a Leash, that for a Hound, a Liem. The Grey-Hound hath his Collar, and the Hound his Couples. We say, a Kennel of Hounds, and a Pack of Beagles. Some other differences there are, but these are the most usual.

Where we find Deer have lately passed into Thickets, &c. by which we guess their Stature, and then put the Hounds or Beagles into them for the View, we account such places Entries.

The impression where any Deer hath reposed or harboured, we call a Layer.

When the Hounds or Beagles hit the scent of their Chase contrary; that is, hit it up the wind, when they should hit it down; we then say, they Draw amiss.

When the Hounds or Beagles take fresh scent, hunting another Chase; until they stick, and hit the first again, we say, they Hunt Change.

When the Hounds or Beagles hunt it by the Heel; we say, they Hunt Counter.

When the Chase goes off, and comes on again traversing the same ground, to deceive the Hounds or Beagles, we say, they Hunt the Foil.

When we set Hounds in readiness where we expect the Deer will come by, and then cast them off when the other Hounds are passed by, we account that a Relay.

When Hounds or Beagles have finished their Chase, by the death of what they pursued, and then in requital are fed by the hands of the Huntsman or others, we call this, their Reward.

Huntsmen, when they go drawing in their Springes at Hart-hunting, usually make Dew-rounds, which we call Ring-walks.

When any Deer is hard hunted, and betakes himself to swimming in any River, &c. then we say, he takes Soil.

When Deer cast their Horns, we say, they Mew. The first head of a Fallow-Deer is called Prick. When Huntsmen endeavour to find a Hart by the Slot, &c. and then mind his step to know whether he is large and long, they then say, they know him by his Gait.

When Deer rub and push their Heads against Trees to cause the Pills of their new Horns to come off, we say, they Fray.

When Deer, after being hard run, turn head against the Hounds, we say, they Bay.

When Hounds or Beagles run long without opening or making any cry, we say, they run Mute.

When Hounds or Beagles at first finding the scent of their Game presently open and cry, we then say, they Challenge.

When Hounds run at a whole Herd of Deer, we say, they Run Riot.

When the Hounds touch the scent, and draw on till they rouze or put up the Chase, we say, they Draw on the Slot.

When a Roe crosses and doubles, it is called Tragoning. When a Hare, as sometimes (though seldom) takes the Ground like a Rabbit, we then say, she Goes to the Vault.

When we beat the Bushes, &c. after the Fox, we call it Drawing.

When a Hare runs on rotten ground, or in a Frost sometimes, and it sticks to her Feet, we say, she Carrieth.

When the Fox hath young ones in her, we say, she is with Cub. When the Beagles bark and cry at their Prey, we say, they Yearn.

A Red Male Hart of a year old, is called a Spitter.

A Rain-Deer, is a Beast like a Hart, but hath his Head full of Antlers.

A Pricker, is a Huntsman on Horse-back.

Engines that we take Deer with, are called Wiles.

When we set Hounds or Beagles in readiness, expecting the Chase to come by, and then cast them off before the rest come in, we call it a Vaunt-lay.

When Hounds or Beagles find where the Chase hath been, and have made a proffer to enter, but returned, we say, there is a Blemish.

We say, How to a Deer.

When we start a Hare, we say, That, that, or There, there.

The Call, a Lesson blowed on the Horn to comfort the Hounds.

A Recheat, a Lesson likewise blown on the Horn. The Morl or Death, is blown at the death of any Deer.

There are several Hounds and Beagles which we have different Titles for; as Gaze-hound, Blood-hound, Staunch-hound, Harrier, and Terrier, &c. But we generally, in all our Kennels and Packs, rank them under these heads: Enterers, Drivers, Filers, Tiers, &c.