THE OREGON SPORTSMAN 121 
STALKING OREGON DEER © 
By F. R. ABSTEIN, Hood River, Oregon 
‘With gunstrap over shoulder slung 
At first gray peep of day, 
I’m off amid the great dark wood 
Where strange wild creatures stay. 
My rifle is as true of aim 
As ever gun can be, 
And when old 30 speaks her mind 
The game belongs to me. 
Now out along the mountain range 
I quickly take my way, 
O’er ridges and thru canyons dark 
I’m miles and miles away, 
Ere sunbeams gild the mountain tops 
Or bird-notes herald day. 
Like silent wraith I move along, 
Alert of eye and ear, 
When high upon a mountain slope 
I strike the sign of deer. 
Most eagerly I trail them, as 
They wander here and there, 
When up around the canyon-draw 
I cross the track of bear. 
As stealthily I’m creeping now, 
As cougar on his prey, 
When CRASH right in the brush ahead 
The game has flown away. 
A bootless chase, no chance had I, 
’Gainst startled deer or bear, 
So gave it up and turned about 
To try some other where. 
I sit me down and listen long, 
No sound upon the breeze, 
The rising sun in shimmering bars, 
Sifts thru the tall fir trees. 
And long I wait enchanted by 
That charm the forest owns, 
And naught disturbes the stillness, save 
The squirrels dropping cones. 
Two owls survey me from a bough 
Above a purling spring, 
As tho’ they asked each other, ‘‘ Now, 
What is that horrid thing— 
