The following morning at day-break we busied ourselves preparing our 

 rifles for the elusive deer. After partaking of a cup of coffee (no breakfast 

 until we returned), we started in different directions from camp. I took a 

 northerly course, having noticed a rocky point the evening before which 

 looked like a good place to find a buck. I proceeded slowly, stopping occa- 

 sionally to take in the surroundings and listening for some sound or indica- 

 tion of deer. I saw a few coons and gray squirrels, but, being after larger 

 game, did not molest them. I had proceeded about half a mile when I 

 reached the edge of a small canon probably one hundred yards across. I 

 sat down, thinking I might hear or see a deer among the brush on the other 

 side. I had been there but a few minutes when a few small rocks, rolling 

 down, attracted my attention. The sun was now up, and on looking closely 

 I saw a fine spike buck, followed by a doe and fawn. They had evidently 

 winded me and had started along the side at a slow trot. I drew a bead on 

 the leader, but could not get a shot until it started to cross a small opening, 

 when I opened fire. At the first shot I felt sure I had camp meat, as the buck 

 jumped into the air and plunged forward out of sight in the thick brush. 

 I crossed over and found blood at every jump. I followed quickly, as a deer 

 when wounded will soon lie down unless followed by dogs. This proved 

 to be the case in this instance. I followed the tracks for about one hundred 

 yards, which took some time, the nature of the ground being very rough. 

 On rounding a sharp turn I caught sight of my game lying under a large 

 manzanita bush, raising and dropping its head. Not wishing to start it 

 running again, I gave it another shot in the back of the head which ended 

 its career. I found my first bullet had severed the windpipe and jugular 

 about the sticking-point, and it was slowly bleeding to death. About this 

 time I heard several shots from the other parties, which convinced me deer 

 were plentiful. I had the pleasure of taking the first meat to camp, but had 

 not arrived long before "Tulle Bill" reported having killed a large four 

 pointer, but had to come to camp and get a horse to bring It in, being too 

 large to carry. So we were well supplied with meat from the start. The 

 rest of the party this morning were not so fortunate, having missed several 

 good deer. 



During our trip of nine days we bagged thirteen bucks, eight of which 

 were shot by that old sport, "Tulle Bill," who used only nine cartridges in 

 doing so. We also caught six hundred and fifty trout, ranging in length 

 from six to fifteen inches. 



I could mention many amusing and exciting anecdotes of the trip, but 

 will defer for the present. We returned benefited In health and regretting 

 we could not remain from business longer. 



THE GAME OF CALIFORNIA 



WALTER R. WELCH 

 Fl>b and Game Warden of Santa Crux Connty 



TRULY may it be said that "California is the sportsman's paradise" 

 since no other State can offer such varied inducements. From the 

 snow-crowned Sierras on the east, with their scenery baffling de- 

 scription, to the shores of the Pacific on the west, and from the 

 big lakes which lie on our northern boundary to the borders of Mexico on 

 the south, game birds and animals are to be found in great abundance, 

 while all over the State are to be seen and heard countless thousands of 

 feathered songsters, placed among us to cheer sad hearts with their glad 

 music. The pipe of the quail and the song of the robin and lark can be 

 heard from every quarter and at all seasons of the year. 



