A HUNT IN MENDOCINO 



H. W. SHUTL.ER 



I HAVE often read with interest of hunting and fishing trips in various 

 parts of California, and the resources of these places, but never from 

 Coveio, or better known as Round Valley. Very few persons outside of 

 those that live here know of the beauties and resources of this ideal spot, 

 embracing in the valley proper thirty-six thousand acres of fertile land, pro- 

 ducing without irrigation immense crops of wheat, barley, oats, corn, beans, 

 potatoes, melons, and vegetables, and hardy fruits of all kinds, with the 

 extension of the California and Northwestern Railroad, whose survey is only 

 fourteen miles from here, will bring an influx of people from all parts of 

 the State. The hunting and fishing is fine, as all kinds of game abound 

 in the valley and surrounding mountains. I have participated in many trips 

 with hunting parties. One in particular brings to my mind pleasant mem- 

 ories. Some years ago I happened to be a member of a hunting party that 

 left Coveio thoroughly equipped for large and small game. The party in- 

 cluded the well-known baseball man F. Carroll, a prince among men and 

 since deceased; F. Robertson, of San Rafael; D. Redmaine, a thorough 

 sportsman from Riverside; W. S. Osborne (better known as "Tulle Bill"); 

 W. Swaringer, as packer; and Sam Lung, as cook. Of course, a supply 

 of snake medicine was included, as you can still find rattlers in the moun- 

 tains. 



Our first evening out took us to what is known as Big Flat, on Hull's 

 Creek. We arrived there about five o'clock P. M., and whilst waiting for 

 the camp to be fixed and supper prepared we hunted and fished, the result 

 being a fine mess of trout, two gray squirrels, two grouse, and one wildcat. 

 Then what a supper we enjoyed! It makes me hungry to think of it. Of 

 course the cat was not included. After a quiet smoke and a few camp 

 stories, all retired to rest under the beautiful trees which there abound, only 

 to be occasionally disturbed by the jingle of the bells on our riding- and 

 pack-animals tethered in the luxuriant grass nearby. Bright and early the 

 following morning we were on the trail for Lightning Camp, so named from 

 the fact that two hundred and forty sheep had been killed there during a 

 severe thunder-storm. We unsaddled here for lunch, and as it was my first 

 trip over this ridge of mountains I was simply enthralled by the scene which 

 presented itself — its beauty and grandeur is more than I can describe. 

 Humboldt, Trinity, and Mendocino counties looked as though they lay at 

 your feet. On the south loomed San Hedrin, on the north and east the, 

 Jolobolahs with points of lesser dimensions, interspersed with canons; miles 

 of pine and fir, jagged rocks of all shapes; with the turbulent but picturesque 

 Eel rivers on the east and west, winding through the various turns of the 

 mountains, — it was a scene which a person so inclined could gaze upon for 

 hours, and meditate on the beauty and wonders of Nature. We then had to 

 cross a rugged ridge where in places a misstep meant a fall of hundreds of 

 feet. The trail being on the solid rock for a short distance, it had been hewn 

 out by the cattlemen who often pass there during the summer months. All 

 at once, as if by magic, a different scene presented itself. Instead of a 

 rocky trail we commenced a downward course toward the river, and soon 

 entered a beautiful grove of fir and pine, intermingled with various other 

 species of trees. Once in a while we could catch a glimpse of several 

 pretty lakes nestling below us. We finally arrived at our destinatfon — a 

 most beautiful green velvety spot, and not more than twenty yards distant a 

 magnificent spring, the water gushing out of the rocks in a stream large 

 enough to drive a good-sized mill, and icy cold. After pitching camp and 

 putting our horses in a nearby pasture, which is kept fenced and used by 

 cattlemen on their roundups, we enjoyed a hearty supper and retired to a 

 well-earned rest. 



