34 . GAME AiVD FISH RESOHTS. 



clothed with luxuriant and nutritious grasses. difTerent from those of the St. 

 John's and Atlantic sections. This vast expanse of hunting ground is dotted with 

 " islands," that is to say, spots clothed with live oaks and palms. These islands 

 vary from a few square rods to fifty acres, and here and there will be found small 

 belts of pine timber, the islands and belts furnishing ample shelter for game. 

 This section is unequaled by any portion of the United States for deer hunting or 

 turl^ey shooting. In crossing the prairie from New Fort Centre large herds of 

 deer are frequently visible on each side of the trail. Owing to the inequality of the 

 surface, and the protection afforded by the tall grass and patches of saw palmetto, 

 the game can be approached without difficulty. Since the removal of the major- 

 ity of the Serainoles, deer have roamed and increased on the prairie undisturbed. 

 With the exception of the few annually destroyed in the neighborhood of Fort 

 Thompson, they are unmolested, the grasses are nutritious, climatic conditions 

 favorable, and, as a consequence, the amount of deer in this section is fabulous. 

 This locality is truly the hunter's paradise, and if he desires variety, he will find 

 numberless turkeys on the banks of the creek or in the adjoining islands ; or if 

 disposed to indulge in fishing, all that will be necessary is to use a bob, spinner, 

 or tiy, and he will soon tire of landing the largest and fattest trout in the State. 

 On the rivers and lakes, ducks, coots, yellow-legged snipe, curlews, cranes, 

 herons, water turkeys, and other birds exist in countless numbers. 



If any one should contemplate a visit to this region we would recommend as a 

 site for his camp a point on the creek ten or fifteen miles west of New Fort Cen- 

 tre. To reach this locality the sportsman can take steamer to Charleston, Savan- 

 nah, or Fernandina, and railroad to Cedar Keys ; or steamer from New York 

 to Key West. Punta Rassa can be reached from Cedar Keys or Key West 

 by steamer, sailing weekly. From Punta Rassa sportsmen can ascend the 

 river to Fort Thompson, or take a bullock dray from Fort Myers. Mr. Carlton 

 lesides two miles north of Fort Thompson, and for $3 per day will furnish a con- 

 veyance to the creek. To find Mr. C.'s residence after reaching the fort, land on 

 the west side of the river below the rapids, thence a northerly course must be 

 kept, leaving the river to the right and the timber to the left. Two miles from 

 the landing place Mr. Carlton's residence will be noticed to the left, near some large 

 pine timber. Mr. C. will be found to be a good guide — kind, sociable, attentive, 

 and moderate in his charges ; in fact, a gentleman whom we can unhesitatingly 

 recommend to the favorable notice of sportsmen. 



Orange Cotmtij— 



AUamont furnishes good bass fishing, and good general hunting. Reached 

 via St. John's River to Sanford or Mellonville, thence stage or hired convey- 

 ance. A. M. Shepherd is an old hunter and fisherman, who will serve as guide. 



Apopka. Deer, turkeys and quail. Reached via steamer up the St. John's to 

 Mellonville, thence by wagon, nine miles. 



Mellonville. Within eight miles of Mellonville are deer, bear, panther, tur- 

 key, snipe, quail, duck, plume birds of various kinds, such as white heron, pink 

 curlew, blue heron, etc., squirrel, fox, mink, otter, sand-hill crane, and hosts 

 of other fine game. Deer, bear, and panther are hunted with hounds, and a fine 

 pack can be collected on short notice. Fox hunting affords good sport. Stran- 

 gers will find plenty of gentlemen who have hounds, and know the stands, who 

 are always willing to give them sport. 



W. M. Humphries and Count Nersgaroo are the most noted deer stalkers, and 

 reside near Mellonville. The finest hunting ground is the southwestern part of 

 Orange County, on the coast. The country is invariably too rough, being cov- 

 ered with saw palmetto, but in the interior a carriage can be driven one liundred 

 miles through the pine woods, with scrubs or thickets on every hand, where the 

 deer can be "jumped " at all times. 



Mellonville is reached by steamer on the St. John's River, and hunters should 

 take a team and wagon at Mellonville, with tent and supplies to last a few days, 

 and about forty miles distant, they will find excellent hunting on Davenport Creek. 

 There are hotels at Mellonville, but none in the hunting grounds. Fish abound 

 in all the streams and lakes. Shad are taken with the fly in Lake Monroe ; 

 black bass are found there in great numbers, and at the outlet are white herons, 

 blue ducks, rail : and bass. 



Lo?igu'ood. Deer, turkeys, quail, black bas5, bream, with other varieties of 

 fish and game. Reached via steamer to Lake Jessup, thence stage or hired con- 

 veyance, or by wagon from Mellonville. 



Salt Lake is well worth visiting, especially if the day is warm, and the sports- 



