A NEW GAME COUNTRY. 



H. D. SLATER. 



The people who put good American gold 

 into a railroad from El Paso, Texas, South- 

 westward through a dreary desert into a 

 promising country probably did not have 

 any philanthropic feeling toward American 

 sportsmen. However, they brought within 

 easy reach a game country the equal of 

 which, in many particulars, cannot be found 

 in the States. 



The Piedras Verdes river runs through 

 a deep canyon from Pacheco to Colonia 

 Juarez. At intervals the canyon opens out, 

 forming grassy plots a few hundred feet 

 wide. The sides of the canyon are usually 

 steep, but the general aspect of the country 

 at the top is that of a broken mesa, or 

 tableland. East of the line of pine timber, 

 evergreen oak (Span, enema, encinilla) pre- 

 dominates, with some juniper. West of 

 the line of pine is the principal forest 

 growth, with a good sprinkling of encinilla 

 and juniper. 



In the canyon deer are plentiful. They 

 have not been hunted much as yet, and 



THE CANYON OF THE PIEDRAS VERDES 

 RIVER. 



they are frequently encountered in bunches 

 of 2 to 6. It is often possible to get within 

 a few yards of them, and they will turn and 

 halt and gaze at the hunter many times 

 during their flight. When aroused, the 

 deer will take to the mesa; and it is on 

 these low mesas, which are seamed and 

 cut with innumerable canyons and arroyos 

 (surface drainage ducts), that the best sport 

 is invariably found. The deer in this sec- 

 tion are mostly white tails. 



In the canyon also are wild turkeys, moun- 

 tain lions, bears, wildcats and wolves. Lion 

 tracks may be seen by the hundred, and the 

 other flesh eaters prowl around at night 



in large numbers. Of course the lions are 

 seldom seen in daylight, unless uncovered 

 and treed by dogs. This is not the best 

 bear country, but with headquarters at 

 Pratt's ranch (now abandoned on account 

 of an Indian massacre 4 years, ago) the best 

 of hunting for other game is near. Pratt's 

 ranch may be reached by wagon road. It 

 is owned by a Mormon living near Casas 



THREE BUCKS KILLED WITHIN SIGHT OF 

 THE CASAS GRANDES STATION. 



Grandes, and arrangements can usually be 

 made with him for the use of the cabins 

 by hunting parties. 



In the country just North and East of 

 Colonia Juarez the deer are wont to con- 

 gregate, often 20 together, in little open 

 valleys along the streams. With a few dogs 

 to start the fun the best of sport is assured. 

 It is really better sport, however, to hunt 

 the deer without dogs, using the latter for 

 the lions and bears. 



In the San Miguel and Casas Grandes 

 rivers, and in various ponds, are many 

 ducks at certain seasons. Quails, wild 

 pigeons, squirrels, and rabbits are plentiful 

 in most parts of the region. 



Although the wagon road from Casas 

 Grandes to Pacheco is fairly well traveled, 

 deer are occasionally seen in Strawberry 

 canyon. Low mesas, covered with encina, 

 juniper, and low pine, stretch _ along the 

 foothills of the high ridge which divides 

 the Piedras Verdes from the San Miguel. 

 Deer are plentiful on these mesas, and wild 

 turkeys also frequent this section. In and 

 about Hop valley, especially to the East 

 and South, lies a fine bear and lion country. 



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