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Game stalker

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Ourboldhero (talk | contribs) at 15:45, 17 October 2020 (Removed the cat photo as this entry is primarily about human stalking of game, and only references felines as doing a similar behavior with their prey in passing. Presumably someone just wanted to put their cat on Wikipedia and couldn't resists. Recommend that a Stalking section be added to the Predation page if that behavior needs more detail.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Defined narrowly, a game stalker is a hunter who for sport, approaches close to its timid quarry before making a kill. The practice is commonly associated[by whom?] with the moors of Scotland where the principal quarry is red deer. However, the skill is found worldwide and is of extremely long standing. Many other species such as cats and hyenas also stalk their prey.

Among hunter-gatherers, where their quarry is timid, stalking is a way of livelihood in order that they may catch what they hunt. Nowadays, stalking is frequently done for purposes of photography or observation of animal behaviour rather than for killing.

Whatever the means of killing, the hunter has to be near the quarry in order to achieve it. Most animals are very sensitive to the presence of predators. In many cases, their sense of smell is highly developed, detecting anything with an unusual scent. The stalker therefore needs to approach from down-wind. Similarly, care needs to be taken to avoid being seen and heard.

The deerstalker is a type of hat associated with Sherlock Holmes and Elmer Fudd. Notable for its slight rain-brim to the front and back, with a camouflage checked twill pattern and fold-down earpieces for selective warmth or to raise when listening for deer.

See also