The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Amateur Poacher

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Title: The Amateur Poacher

Author: Richard Jefferies

Release date: October 12, 2004 [eBook #13730]
Most recently updated: October 28, 2024

Language: English

Credits: Malcolm Farmer and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading Team

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AMATEUR POACHER ***

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.