American Big Game in its Haunts 



the sheep men have grazed their flocks in summer 

 over the Big Mesa country and through the sur- 

 rounding open forest. In addition to the damage 

 done by the grazing of the sheep, the carelessness of 

 the herders in starting forest fires has resulted in 

 some destruction to the timber. Fortunately, the 

 permanent settlers on this section of the reserve are 

 located in the northeastern corner, which is the least 

 suitable portion of the tract for game. In addition to 

 the wagon road from Springerville to Nutrioso another 

 road has been made from Springerville south across 

 the Big Mesa to the head of Black River. Trails run 

 from Nutrioso and Springerville to the head of Blue 

 River and down it to the copper mining town of 

 Clifton, but are little used. At various times scat- 

 tered settlers have located along the Blue, and cul- 

 tivated small garden patches. The first of these 

 settlers were killed by the Apaches, and I am unable 

 to say whether these farms are now occupied or not. 

 In any case, the conditions along the upper Blue are 

 entirely unsuited for successful farming. 



Perhaps the most serious menace to the successful 

 preservation of game on this tract is its proximity to 

 the White Mountain Indian Reservation. This reser- 

 vation not only takes in some of the finest game 

 country immediately bordering the timber reserve, 

 including Ord arid Thomas peaks, but is often visited 

 by hunting parties of Indians. 



During spring and early summer, all of the yellow 

 pine and fir country in this section is subjected to a 

 plague of tabano flies, which are about the size of 

 large horse-flies. These flies swarm in great numbers 



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