Deer Hunting in Cuba 



In shooting at a running deer every second is 

 precious, and I have always preferred a metal front 

 sight, kept bright, with a plain bar rear sight. The 

 center of sight is quickly and unmistakably located. 



The hunting is usually on horseback. The 

 party, generally consisting of from four to six, 

 ride to a favorite jungle, which may be several 

 hundred acres in extent, and separated from the 

 sugar cane fields by small clearings. The hunters 

 station themselves on different sides, sitting on their 

 horses, so that they may move quickly up and down 

 the clearings, which frequently are not wider than 

 broad streets or roadways. If the hounds are good 

 persistent hunters, they are cast into the thicket 

 alone ; if they need urging and assistance, a hunter 

 picador is sent in with them. 



Some of these thickets are almost impenetrable 

 because of the tangled undergrowth, and I often 

 had to give up attempts to penetrate them. Not 

 so with the native picador. Each is armed with 

 the ever-present and wonderful machete, and with 

 the peculiar drawing wrist motion that no foreigner 

 ever acquires, he can cut his way through places 

 seemingly impassable. The size of the limb or tree 

 they can cut with a single stroke is almost beyond 

 belief. The machete is indispensable. With it 

 they cut and blaze trails, dress and skin game, 



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