Deer Hunting in Cuba 



the mainland by a series of sand banks, deer were 

 plentiful. 



Among the first to hunt deer in the island were 

 the French, and their influence in hunting and 

 shooting matters is still evident, especially in the 

 eastern end of the island. 



Although the law establishes a close season from 

 February i to September i, and the penalty for 

 killing out of season is from five to fifty dollars 

 and the confiscation of arms, the law is not en- 

 forced and is little regarded. Were the hunters 

 armed with modern guns and possessed of the 

 energy and keenness of the average American 

 sportsman, the process of extinction would be 

 rapid. As it is, the ruinous, out of season, wanton 

 slaughter is kept up with painful regularity. Some 

 fair, true sportsmen kill only in season, and then 

 in moderation; but I met and heard of others to 

 whom the fair code of a true sportsman was 

 unknown. Some, for instance, were guilty of kill- 

 ing a doe carrying her fawns. 



The Cuban deer (venado) belong in the same 

 group with our Virginia deer. Though somewhat 

 smaller than the ordinary whitetail, they are larger 

 than the Florida and Mexican deer, but have the 

 small antlers and scanty pelage of the latter. 



It is generally believed that deer were originally 

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