324 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



PUT 24, 1883. 



?;*# ai\& §utf. 



G a Mi-: HKsonTfi.—Wraiv. ni w aye glad to receive forvrib- 



li,;it,,,,, .inch nates of rlr.ii ruble game resorts as mm/ be of help 

 to (he readers of FOEBSTAMB Stream, Will not our corre- 

 spondenlx favor us with sue// mi, f& 



NOTES OF FLORIDIAN EXPERIENCE. 



"NB.^Bhorjtiag and .fishing unsurpassed. n This is the 

 style of lie thai fve seen for years past attached to every 

 hold advertisement In Florida, and 1 confess that it eon. 

 tributed largely toward making up a desire tor a Southern 

 trip 1 supposed, from report, that quail wore so numerous 



Id ship enough to New York to pay niv expenses, 



utter eating all 1 wanted every day, and that wild turkeys, 

 dear and bears could be shot by the dozen from the cars. 

 "Lord, how this world Is given to lying!" exclaimed the re- 

 nowned "W< 8., "and it hasn't recovered from that passion 

 yet When correspondents begin to tell you the truth you'll 

 begin to know more about Florida than you've learned from 

 them yet. 



1 nave traveled over nearly all the principal routes and 

 have found, at every stopping place, that bagging a few 



quail involved great tremble radi tpensi while to get a shot 

 ul a deer or turkey one must go to an uncivilized region and 

 live on "hog and hominy," with dirt ml libitum, as "crackers" 

 do. which, in fact, is the ease nearly everywhere after leav- 

 ing Jacksonville and Palatka. where (Wis has established 

 his model house. If your correspondent had been born 

 and bred among the Digger Indians, any Florida hotel 

 Bligb.1 do for him when grasshoppers and grubs were out of 



season, bul he's unfortunately fastidious and Bees no good 

 reason why food should be served up in a dirty and villain- 

 ous way When it's JUSJ as easy and cheap to do it right. It 

 is said thai "the devil sends cooks." and it might be added 

 that he also sends hotel-keepers. Not one man in a thou- 

 i" ■ to keep a hotel, and that a man has secured 

 one is no proof thai he knows how to keep it. When a hotel 

 is advertised for rent auj la/v toon who lias the money can 

 take possession of it without any regard to bis qualifica- 

 tions, and the public must Buffer. At Jacksonville there are 

 four or live good house-,, and the Putnam is, as everyone of 

 refined taste knows, the model hotel of the South. 



As I was strongly disposed to indulge my youthful pas- 

 sion for shooting, 1 interviewed every acquaintance who 

 had been to Florida, ami came to the conclusion I hat lor 

 good quail shooting I must leave the St, John's Rivef; so I 

 '■■ft for i tenia, inn go1 lefl al Waldo, and finding 

 a very well-kept house. I concluded to Jiang up my hat and 

 send lor my baggage— especially as they reported' shooting 

 and fishim.' unsurpassed. I passed two weeks there, and did 

 not regret it. though the shooting and fishing proved a fic- 

 tion, With a good dog a man may fiud a few birds almost 

 anywhere, bul there is not the same bracing enjoyment in it 

 B mis in Northern sport. The quail are of a smaller 

 pattern, and do not get up with the noise and vim of our 

 northern birds, and are far inferior at the table. After one 

 or two failures I picked up my "Fox" one day. an hour be- 

 fore dinner, and took a *valk" just back of an orange grove 

 near the house, and stumbled' on an innocent little bevy, 

 but as lb ' iifymeof l heir intention to rise I 



only got one. but marked them down in a patch of dwarf 

 pnlmettoes and thick grass, where 1 found them so nicely 

 hat I pot them up singly and shot down ten: but 

 the next one selfishly got behind a tree and got off with all 

 his feathers. 1 then found three snipe and actually shot 

 six times al the wriggling things before 1 got them safely in 

 my pocket, bj which [learned that my youthful skill had 



left for parts unknown. That about ended my Florida 



shooting. 1 found that Enterprise was a great resort fo) 

 shooting and fishing, and I've no doubt that early in the 

 winter snipe, quail and duck shooting is very good"; but I'd 

 rather have an hour's rough rambling through the Northern 

 woods and lields, and get but half a dozen shots, than to bag 

 a score of birds in Florida. 



Oetla is a thriving town, and might be a delightful place 

 for sportsmen if there was a good ho—; but no! 1 won't 

 mention it for fear of hurting some one's feelings, especially 

 a Northern man's. When a man gets here he doesn't find 

 turkeys gobbling tit him from every bush, and even if he 

 did, the discotnfoi >l the things they call hotels would 

 mere than counterbalance the pleasure of shooting and fish- 

 ing. To gel a shot at an item of game, or to catch a fish, 

 pay out money. 



I have wandered, in an unsatisfactory sort of way, nearly 

 all over the State without finding a spot win re I 'cared to 

 stop until I reached St. Augustine, and that I find a fascin- 

 ating, quaint old place, and is bound to be the winter New- 

 port of this country. The great obstacle in the way of set- 

 tling up this place rapii I ly has been the difficulty Of gelling 

 bete and the atrociously kept ho—: but both these difficul- 

 ties are about to be removed. A new railroad has just been 

 opeued direct from Jacksonville, and tin- same company 

 that built the splendid house at Magnolia has just purchased 

 twenty acre-, on the .-.hell road nearly opposite the old fort, 

 and before another season opens will have it hotel worthy of 

 the beautiful old place, and equal to any til the North; and 

 what is more, there's a fortune in it of no ordinary size. 

 Several efforts have been made to push the city out in that, 

 direction, and now that this enterprise is staffed by a wealthy 

 company property along there will go up with a rush. A 

 great deal has already been bought up with a view to specu- 

 lation, and when tile' rush begins nexl season not a foot will 

 be lefl, at present prices. Everything now is nicely ar- 

 ranged to make St. Augustine by far the most attractive 

 winter resort in Florida, except— the lack of wisdom in her 

 rulers. Nearly half the men who visit Florida have an eye 

 to enjoyment in the way of shooting and fishing, and when 

 they come lere and tied thai they are not permitted to shoot 

 plover or other birds, even on the marshes a mile from the 

 city, they very naturally feel disgusted, and many of them 

 leave for places Where they have some liberty: and the city 



loses thousands a year. Another equally stupid blunder fs 



refusing to allow a newspaper to lie sold on Sunday! But 



the city is and tng & civilizing change, as Jacksonville 



did and the time is not far distant when men will feel 



to enaci laws that would disgrace a community of 

 ital old women. 

 It is astounding— in view of the sensible efforts made by 

 lie and other towns lo attract the traveling crowds 



en can befoundwho will resolutely shut 



their eyes to the greal advantage they possess of making 

 their aty by all odds the most attractive point, in the State, 



and look calmly on while other cities draw the population 

 anil the money. But, luckily for those who come here to 

 enjoy themselves, these wise- men have no control beyond 

 the city limits, and the shooting and fishing is far better 

 than in any place where I have been, if it is not "unsur- 

 passed," Drm-Mtis. 

 St. Acocstiwe. Florida. 



| The only reason that Out correspondent found the birds 



plenty about St. Augustine is just, because of the much- 

 needed and very proper prohibitory provision of which he 

 complains. Nowhere in this country has there been a more 

 marked instance of the extermination of birds than that 

 which took place in the vicinity of St. Augustine when the 

 rush of Northern visitors first set in (here. T 

 spared nothing that had wings. The prohibitory law was 

 enacted as a last resort, We are glad to learn that it has 

 accomplished its purpose.] 



IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. 



[Concluded From Page 806.] 



TIRING of fishing, and lucking energy to hunt in the 

 deuse timber around our first camp, we decided to 

 move still further into Hie mountains; so we pulled up 

 stakes and headed for Manzenita Lake and Lassen's Buttes. 

 We took an old road, little more than a deer trail at the 

 time, no travel having gone over it for years, but by walk- 

 ing up the .steepest of the hills we managed to get through 

 by a short route. Our way lay across a very rough group of 

 small ridges and ravines, which we passed ihe first day, and 

 then we reached table land, which was settled to some ex- 

 tent by bay ranchers and stock men, We emerged from the 

 timher at one of the prettiest mountain meadows imaginable. 

 ll was about three miles long by one wide, very level, and ci rv- 

 ercd with wild grass three or four feet high, and a fine stream 

 ran through it. There was a rail fence inclosing the largest 

 part of it, and deer tracks were thick around the fence. We 

 could see where their sharp feet stuck in the ground all along 

 Where they jumped over into the field and out again — prob- 

 ably mornings and evenings. 



1 wanted to camp at this place, but we concluded to go 

 to the lake. We did not hunt any, only to shoot such small 

 game— squirrels and quail, as we saw Irom the wagon. As 

 we approached a ranch, however, we were met by the 

 rancher, who said he had just seen three deer cross the road 

 ahead. I inquired which way they went, and started iii the 

 direction indicated, but had gone but about a hundred 

 yards, when, hearing a shout, I looked hack and saw a fine 

 spike-buck across the road and stop just ahead of the 

 wagon. Enochs hud his rifle in its ease and was now strug- 

 gling excitedly to get it out, but before he could do so the 

 deer started. Instinctively I brought my gun down and fired 

 just as he turned, making a splendid shot (though the boys 

 claimed it w T as an accident), and the buck dropped his tail, 

 bul bounded desperately lor a short distance. The rancher 

 gave chase, being on horseback, and caught the animal just 

 as it fell, having been shot through the shoulders. Enochs 

 swore he was about to shoot it through the head if I had not 

 anticipated him. 



We reached Manzenita Lake— so called from the dense 

 thickets of manzenita bushes surrounding it, — and found it 

 lo he a beautiful place indeed; but the surrounding country- 

 was open, barren, covered with a lava formation and dense 

 brush, and was poor hunting ground. There was some tall 

 timber around the lake, which was a mile long by about 

 three-quarters wide, clear and ver 

 fine stream flowing directly from tin 

 D ih - east, although they did 

 taut. The lake is a curiosity, and t 

 caused by a sinking of its bed. Nut 

 may be seen in all positions beneat 

 the"trunks stand erect as they grew 

 a reclining position, and all of then 

 the action of the water. We found a pretty good rowboat 

 that had been left at' the lake by a hunting party the year 

 before, and we enjoyed many boat rides, gliding over the 

 white, ghostly trunks of the 'immense trees that could be 

 seen in the clear depths a hundred feel below. On our first 

 attempt to cross the lake we had reached about its middle 

 when we began to realize, that we were not making headway. 

 Then the boat began to swivel around like a windgauge, and 

 we discovered that we were ' 'snagged, " and we were alarmed. 



The depth of the water was unknown, and we were 

 a half mile from either shore. By shifting our positions, and 

 working the oars we worked off. however, and found we 



had ruu the boat bout upon an immense stump, to 1 oil 



six inches below the surface. We kept a lookout at the 

 prow for snags after that, and kepi nearer shore. We killed 

 ducks (mallards) enough for our use, but they were not plen- 

 tiful at the time, although they hatch there in considerable 

 numbers We killed some about two-thirds grown, still 

 unable to fly, and they were fine eating. 



Trout were plentiful in the hike, and of a large variety. 



deep. Its inlet was 

 snow on Lassen's But les, 

 ot look to be a mile dis- 

 u.sl be of recent origin, 

 bers of submerged trees 



ils surface. Some of 

 others slope upward in 

 white as chalk froi 



, f'ot 



lunds, 



ugh \ 



,'bing from 



them to bite, alth 

 obtained enough 1 



us. It was the first 



tempted, and a cold bi 



did not properly gang 



clearness. We had n 



and the night of our a 



and procured a supply of pitch f 



and myself rowed around tli 



sps 



e the < 



but we could not indu< 

 d several kinds of bail. We 

 [a poor one), however , to satisfy 

 ig by night that I had ever at- 

 tlie result of mv first oa-d, as 1 

 ler on account of its deceitful 

 camp at Ihe edge of the water, 

 t'ter haying built a large fire, 

 torch. Indian Dick 

 ipeariug expedition 



■amp that 1 

 1 to be seen 



ad 

 , il 



hei 



ha 



et 



■j di 



shone 

 ad out, 



ihe boat w 



as 



ibo 



in 



exh 



i usted. 



d we could 



not 



se 



i 



ieyo 



id the 



ind looking 



dov 



n i 



nt( 



>thc 



fire-lit 



Enochs rolled up his blankets by the lire and went to sleep. 

 We succeeded in getting several fine fish, which flopped 

 around in the boat and glittered like silver. During the ex- 

 citement of the sport, we lost our bearings, and though we 

 had intended to keep the shore, we suddenly found ourselves 

 in rjeep water. The fire at 

 across the lake was nowhei 

 while our supply of pitch i 

 The night was very dark a 

 glare of the torch light, 

 depths as we passed over the immense white logs, everyone 

 of which seemed to spring up lo capsize the boat, our sensa- 

 tions were unpleasant. Dick was first to see a flicker from 

 the wasted fire on the shore, and you may be sure we lost no 

 time in going forward. Upon landing we found that we 

 bad rowed directly across tbalake. luckily missing the snags. 



We found a number of bear tracks iu the neighborhood. 

 but did not see any of the animals, perhaps it was ^ .1,- 

 we did not prowl around their haunts, the deuse thickets, 

 any more than was convenient. 



After tiring of boat rides, fish, and ducks, we concluded 

 to go to the summit, of Lassen and then return homeward. 

 Accordingly we set out in the afternoon, going as far as: the 

 foot of the mountain and camping in an old log cabin that 



had been built by some stock man. Early the next morning 

 we began our climb, and reached the summit after four 

 hours' toil. The ascent was rendered more difficult and 

 tiresome by the loose character of the mountain-side, it being 

 loose lava and rocks, which slid and rolled underfoot, and 

 we. slipped and Tell more frequently than seldom. We 

 reached the top, but unfortunately the atmosphere was 

 smoky and the view greatly obscured. Still we could see 

 for miles over the broken country, trace deuse forests stretch- 

 ing in every direction, and see a dozen lakes, some of Ihem 

 mere ponds, others miles in extent. There was a small lock 

 pen on the highest, peak that had been built by the Govern- 

 ment surveyors, it is said that the party building it ex- 

 changed signals with another party on Jit. "Diablo, four hun- 

 dred miles s«utb, by (ires at night. We found a, tin can con- 

 taining names, some of whom had probably visited the peak. 

 but as many of them were in the same handwriting, we con- 

 cluded that each visitor had put down the names of such 

 friends as he called to mind. The lakes in view, it is said, 

 all contain trout, no two containing the same species. In 

 One the fish arc said lobe a bright red color, and we were 

 told that one contained sardines, but a traveler will some- 

 times fiud a liar even in Ihe remote mountains of Cali- 

 fornia. The same man who told us a lion I sardines said he 

 mowed in his younger days a hundred swaths of hay, 

 each swath a mile long, starting at the same place each time. 

 He did it with a scythe, and told it with a sigh and we heard 

 if as a lie. In fact we set him down as a practical liar, for 

 no inexperienced person could have lied like that on short 

 acquaintance fo strangers, with guns in their hands, and got 

 away with it. 



One side of the peak was almost a precipice — about as 

 steep as the angle of a duck's tail. We heard a crash, and 

 turned in time to see an immense rock, weighing about a 

 Ion, start from beside us and go thundering down the slope. 

 Down, down it went, for some distance plowing up the 

 snow, then striking other rocks curried them along with ii, 

 until it was quite an avalanche, which we could heft] Ira 

 after it was out of sight. Dick said it started itself. We 

 told him not to do it any more, then we rolled some down 

 just to see them go. They went. 



The descent was comparatively easy. "We followed the 

 snow as far as it went. We descended with aiacrily, mo- 

 mentum, and a good part of the w r ay on the climax of our 

 anatomy covered by the biggest part of our pantaloons. 

 But enough, we got down, and campward wended our 

 hungry way. 



Next morning we renovated our wagons as best we could, 

 hitched up our horses, and left the lake, going homeward 

 by another route from that we came. We camped on a small 

 stream near a cattle ranch for two days, caught trout, killed 

 one deer, and were supplied gratis with ail the milk and 

 fresh butter we could consume. The second morning we 

 awoke and found a bear track iu the dust about a rod from 

 where wo slept. We were going away that morning any- 

 way, so it did not make much" difference. I don'f know 

 how it was — when we started out we wanted a bear badly, 

 but whenever there was any probability of getting one, 

 Whenever we found a nice fresh track, or'dark thicket that 

 looked promising, we were always tired, or preferred to fish, 

 or if the prospect was very promising, we moved camp. 



During the two weeks out we were always hungry, always 

 in good spirits, and slept like logs, though the nights were 

 uncomfortably cold in places. Had a speck of war one day 

 with Dick, on account of his making bread after doctoring 

 the sore necks of our horses, without washing bis hands. I 



objected. He said f was too " smart," liut we arrived 



home safely, notwithstanding, and were satisfied with the 

 trip. Esau. 



Shasta, Cat 



OWEN SOUND DEER SHOOTING. 



"The wild woods, the wild woods. 



The wild woods (five me, 

 The wild woods of Canada, 



The boundless and tree 1' ' 



— Canadian Com/i Sang. 



I HAVE seen so few letters lately from Canadians iu 

 Fokest ADD SrJBEiM relating to sport in Canada, that I 

 am beginning to think our native spoilsmen neglect a duty 

 they owe their American brothers of the rod and gun in not 

 comparing notes from tim« to time for mutual Improvement 

 through the medium of your splendid paper, which, by Ihe 

 way, is looked upon by all Canadian sportsmen whom I 

 have met as an authority. 



Perhaps some of your readers might not fiud an account 

 of one ol our recent' deer hunting forays totally nni 

 iug. particularly as it occurred in the wilds of the beautiful 

 and picturesque Indian peninsida of Ontario, of which, per- 

 haps, little has been heard. 



Our party, on starting out from Owen Sound, consisted of 

 four persons, having for our leader Mjf. George Ivilbourn, 

 of "the Sound," one of the most genial fellows and en- 

 thusiastic Bportsm en lo be found in a day's journey. 



It was arranged that we were to start at 4:30 A. M., as 

 our hunting grounds lay several miles to wegJwSftd of the 

 town. All were on hand" promptly at the appoint : 

 and soon we had the hounds and ol'her needfuls stowed away 

 in the wagon. We rattled along at a good pace, the still- 

 ness of the early morning being broken' only by occasional 

 waifs from the expcctautliounds, Trueboy and Rattler. On 

 our way to the interior of the peninsula we were 

 joined, as per previous arrangement, by Mr. Johnson and 

 the Manleys pin etfiU; the former, commonly known to us 

 all as the "Old Doc," being one of the earliest arrivals in 

 the county, and a most ardent sportsman. 



We are" told iu the "Legend of Sheppey" that "the Baron 

 called for his boots," and when the Baron called for his 

 boots he meant murder. Similarly. Old Doe called for his 

 gun. and when he called for that he meant— sport. ^ T o gun 

 to be found! A neighbor had borrowed it the previous 

 evening. Doe looked amazed, then sat down, jerked the 

 coiners" of his mouth, got off two or three good-sized grunts, 

 as was his wont when angered, and blankity blank-blanked 

 the servant for lending his blank-blank gun to that blaukity- 

 blankcd sou of a gun, el c, etc. In fact he used up his 

 whole vocabulary in a manner which left nothing lo be de- 

 i Dhere was the devil to pay. and nothing to paytt 

 with 1 At this juncture we remembered that an extra 

 weapon had been thoughl'ully put into the wagon on start- 

 ing, and all was made lovely once more. 



On arriving near our point of destination it was decided 

 that Manlcy.'Jr. and 1 should strike off into the woodswith 

 the houuds'and put up the game, the rest of the party to 

 drive on a bit and up the side' lane to a point where they 

 could easily reach the most favorable posts on the runways, 

 and there await further developments. 



