Forest and stream; 
[May 17, igoi. 
of Black River. In the midst of the shrubbery growth 
on the "Breaks" there is a fine growth of nutritious 
grasses, which forms excellent winter forage. 
The entire southern part of the reserve lying beyond 
the Prieto Plateau is an excessively broken mountainous 
country, with abrupt changes in altitude from the hot 
canons, where cottonwoods flourish, to the high ridges 
where pines and firs abound. 
The northeastern part of the section of the reserve un- 
der consideration is cut off from the rest by the valley 
of Nutrioso Creek, a tributary of the Little Colorado, and 
by the headwaters of the San Francisco River, It is a 
limited district, mainly occupied by Escudilla Mountain, 
rising to 10,691 feet, and its foothills, Escudilla Moun- 
tain slopes abruptly to a long truncated summit and is 
heavily forested from base to summit by pines, aspens 
and spruces. On the south the foothills merge into the 
generally mountainous area. On the north, at an altitude 
of about 8,000 feet they merge into the plains of the Little 
Colorado, varied by grassy prairies and irregular belts of 
pinyon timber. 
The upper parts of the Little Colorado and Black rivers, 
above 7,500 feet, are clear and cold and well stocked with - 
a native species of small brook trout. 
Owing to the generally elevated character of the south- 
eastern section of the Black Mesa Reserve, containing 
three mountain peaks rising above 10,000 feet, the annual 
precipitation is decidedly greater than elsewhere on the 
reserve. The summer rains are irregular in character, be- 
ing aboundant in some seasons and very scanty in others, 
but there is always enough rainfall about the extreme 
head of Black River to make grass, although there is 
always much hot, dry weather between May and October. 
The fall and winter storms are more certain than those 
of summer, and the parts of the reserve lying above 8,000 
feet are usually buried in snow before spring— frequently 
with several feet of snow on a level. The amount of 
snow increases steadily with increase of altitude. Some 
of the winter storms are severe, and on one occasion while 
living at an altitude of 7,500 feet, I witnessed a storm 
during which snow fell continuously for nearly two days. 
The weather was perfectly calm at the time, and after the 
first day the pine trees became so loaded that an almost 
continual succession of reports were heard from the break- 
ing of large branches. At the close of the storm there 
was a measured depth of twenty-six inches of snow on a 
level at an altitude of 7,500 feet. A thousand feet lower, 
on the plains of the Little Colorado, a few miles to the 
north, only a foot of snow fell, while at higher altitudes 
the amount was much greater than that measured. 
The summer temperatures are never excessive in this 
section and the winters are mild, although at times reach- 
ing from 15 to 20 degrees below zero. Above 7,500 feet, 
except on sheltered south slopes, snow ordinarily remains 
on the ground from four to five months in sufficient quan- 
tity to practically close this area from winter grazing. 
Cattle, and the antelope which once frequented the "Big 
Mesa" in considerable numbers, appeared to have pre- 
monitions of the coming of the first snow in fall. On 
one occasion, while stopping at a ranch on the plains of 
the Little Colorado, just below the border of the Big 
Mesa country in November, I was surprised to see hun- 
dreds of cattle in an almost endless line coming down 
from the Mesa, intermingled with occasional bands of 
antelope. They were following one of the main trails 
leading from the mountain out on the plains of the Little 
Colorado. Although the sun was shining at the time, 
there was a slight haziness in the atmosphere, and the 
ranchmen assured me that this movement of the stock 
alwavs foretold the approach of a snowstorm. The fol- 
lowing morning the plains around the ranch where I was 
stopping, were covered with six inches of 'snow, while 
over a foot of snow covered the mountains. Bands of 
half-wild horses ranging on the Big Mesa show more in- 
difference to snow, as they can dig down to the grass, but 
the depth of snow sometimes increases so rapidly that 
the horses become "yarded" and their owners have much 
difficulty in extricating them. 
The southerly slopes leading down from the divide to 
the lower altitudes along the Black River and the Breaks 
of the Blue are sheltered from the cold northerly winds 
of the Little Colorado Valley, while the greater natural 
warmth of the situation aids in preventing any serious 
accumulation of snow. As a result this entire portion 
of the reserve forms an ideal winter game range, with an 
abundance of grass and edible bushes. The varied char- 
acter of the country about the head of Black River makes 
it an equally favorable summer range for game, and that 
this conjunction of summer and winter ranges is appre- 
ciated by the game animals is shown by the fact that this 
district is probably the best game country in all Arizona. 
Large Game in the Southeastern Part of the Black 
Mesa Reserve. 
The large game found in this section of the reserve in- 
cludes the elk, black-tailed deer, Arizqna white-tailed 
deer, black and silver-tipped bears, mountain lions and 
"wildcats, timber wolves and coyotes. 
Elk were formerly found over most of the pine and fir 
forested' parts of this section of the reserve, but were 
already becoming rather scarce in 1885, and, although 
they were still found there in 1897, it is now a question 
whether any survive or not. If they still survive, they 
are restricted to a limited area about the head of Black 
River from Ord Peak to the Prieto Plateau. Black-tailed 
deer are still common and their summer range extends 
more or less generally over all of the forested part of this 
section above 7.500 feet. In winter only a few stray in- 
dividuals remain within the reserve on the Little Colorado 
side but a number range out into the pinyon country on 
the 'plains of the Little Colorado. The country about 
the head of Black River is a favorite summer range of 
this deer, but in winter they gradually retreat before the 
heavy snowfall to the sheltered canons along Black River 
and the Breaks of the Blue. In September and October 
the old males keep by themselves in parties of from four 
to ten and range through the glades of the yellow pine 
The Arizona white-tailed, deer is not found on the part 
of the reserve drained by the Little Colorado River, but is 
abundant in the basin of Blue River, and ranges in sum- 
mer up into the lower part of the yellow pine forest along 
Black River. They retreat before the early snows to 
the Breaks of the Blue, where they are very numerous. 
During hunting trips into their haunts in October and 
November, I have several times seen herds of these deer 
numbering from thirty to forty, both before and after 
the first snowfall. Antelope formerly ranged up in sum- 
mer from the plains of the Little Colorado over the 
grassy Big Mesa country and through the surrounding 
open pine forest, retreating to the plains in the autumn, 
but they are now nearly or quite exterminated in that 
section. Bears of both species wander irregularly over 
most of the reserve, in summer, but are most numerous 
on the Breaks of the Blue and about the head of Black- 
River. In autumn, previous to their hibernation, they 
descend along the canon of the Black River and among 
the Breaks of the Blue, where acorns and other food is 
abundant. Mountain lions also wander over all parts of 
the reserve, but are common only in the rough country 
along the Blue. Wildcats are rather common and widely 
distributed, but are far more numerous on the Black and 
the Blue rivers. Timber wolves were once rather com- 
mon, but are now nearly extinct, owing to their persecu- 
tion by owners of sheep and cattle. Coyotes occur in 
this district occasionally in summer. Wild turkeys are 
OPEN FOREST OF ARIZONA YELLOW PINE. 
found more or less generally throughout this section of 
the reserve, retreating in winter to the warmer country 
along .the Breaks of the Blue and the canon of Black 
River, where they sometimes gather in very 'large flocks. 
Notes on Settlement, Roads ard Other Matters. 
The greater .part of this section of the Black Mesa Re- 
serve is unsettled, but the northeastern corner along 
Nutrioso Creek and the head of San Francisco River is 
traversed by a wagon road leading to Springerville. 
Within the limits of the reservation on this road are two 
small farming villages of Nutrioso and Alpine. The 
owners of these small farms along the valleys of these 
streams also raise a limited number of cattle and horses 
on the surrounding hills. A few claims are also held at 
scattered points along the extreme northern edge of the 
reserve, between Springerville and Nutrioso. Between 
1883 and 1895 several herds of cattle were grazed on the 
head of Black River and ranged in winter down on the 
Breaks of the Blue and the canons of Black River; but 
I understand that these ranges have since been abandoned 
by the cattlemen. For some years the sheep men have 
grazed their flocks in summer over the Big Mesa coun- 
try and through the surrounding open forest. In addition 
to the damage done by the grazing of the sheep, the care- 
lessness of the herders in starting forest fires has resulted 
in some destruction to the timber. Fortunately, the per- 
manent 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 scattered settlers have located 
along the Blue and cultivated 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 reservation 
not only takes in some of the finest game country imme- 
diately bordering the timber reserve, including Ord and 
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 and attack 
stock and game so viciously that as a consequence the 
animals are frequently much reduced in flesh. The 
Apaches take advantage of this plague to set fires to the 
forest and lie in wait for the game which has taken 
shelter in the smoke to rid itself from the flies. In this 
way the Indians kill large numbers of breeding deer, and 
at the same time destroy considerable areas of forest. 
While on a visit to this district in the summer of 1899. 
Mr. Pinchot saw the smoke of five forest fires at different 
places in the mountains, which had been set by hunting 
parties of Indians for the purpose. The only method by 
which not only the game, but the forest along the western 
side of this reserve can be successfully protected, will be 
to have the western border of the forest reserve extended 
to take in a belt eight to twelve miles wide of the Indian 
reservation. This would include Ord and Thomas peaks 
and would serve efficiently to protect the country about 
the headwaters of the rivers from these destructive in- 
roads. 
The northern border of this section of the reserve is^ 
about one hundred miles by wagon road from the nea^J 
est point on the Santa Fe Pacific Railroad. Seven miles^ 
from its northern border is the town of Springerville with.) 
a few hundred inhabitants in its vicinity engaged in farnv. 
ing, cattle and sheep growing. From Springerville north! 
extends the plains of the Little Colorado to St. Johns, th& 
county seat of Apache county, containing a few hun-! 
dred people. To the south and east of the reserve there! 
are no towns for some distance, except a few small settle-' 
ments along the course of the San Francisco River ift' 
New Mexico, which are far removed from the part of 
the reserve which is most suitable for game. The fact 
that deer continue abundant in the district about thdj 
head of Black River, although hunted at all seasons fot 
many years, and the continuance there of elk for so long^ 
under the same conditions, is good evidence of the favor- 
able conditions existing in that section for game. 
CHICAGO AND THE WEST. 
New Sporting Clubs. 
Chicago, III., May 10.— The Fox Lake Hunting and I 
Fishing Club, of Wisconsin, has been incorporated, with J 
twenty-two members, among whom are Senator Green,'! 
Senator Roehr, Chas. Pfister, Attorney Walker, Judge! 
Neeland and other prominent Milwaukee gentlemen. The I 
grounds will be on Fox Lake, Wis., where a ten-room club I 
house will at once be erected. 
Very interesting news is it that the "Saginaw Crowd' I 
of Michigan, including such well-known gentlemen as I 
Messrs, W. B. Mershon, Watts S. Humphreys, Geo. B. I 
Morley, Farnham Lyon, C. H. Davis and several others' I 
will establish a very extensive game preserve in the South. I 
The grounds will be located not far from Grenada, Miss,, 
and will comprise some thousands of acres, which will 
be strictly preserved. A good club house will be erected i 
at an early date on a tract of land which has been secured | 
from a prominent citizen of that section, by the name of I 
Mr. Newberger, I believe. The Saginaw gentlemen will I 
maintain this as a quail preserve, and will spend somej 
time there during the winter months. It is possible that 4 
a Christmas party will dedicate the new club house nejOT 
winter. • r w 
There is very interesting news reported to-day also nil 
regard to the formation of another Chicago shooting! 
club, with a membership of perhaps fifty, and grounds! 
located in a well-known locality. As the leases are not! 
signed, it is inadvisable to be more specific, but it is, 
thought the matter is certain to go forward safely. 
Killing Things. 
Coahoma writes from Clarksdale, Miss.: "I do nd 
envy the feelings of Mr. Hess O'Brien, mentioned in yout 
last to Forest and Stream, after he had murdered the 
eagle with six duck loads. Ionce, during my period ol 
thoughtless youth, murdered a raccoon, for which I had 
no use, in overflow water about knee deep. I shot hirr. 
through the windpipe and other places with a pistol, thee 
got out of the skiff and beat him to death with an oai 
amid a tangle of vines. When I completed the job I fell 
like a pair of handcuffs would make a suitable adornmenl 
to signalize my victory." 
We've all done such things and all felt that way. 
Hartford Building, Chicago, III. E. HOUGH. 
Three Seasons in the Moose Country 
Part II. 
In October, 1901, only two of the club members coulc 
go — Harry and a well-known trapshooter of Newark, N 
J. (Chris for short).. The two other members had gjvei 
up the trip at the last moment, and as accommodation* 
had been engaged for four, I gathered my belonging 
together and again undertook the journey. A • forme- 
Cornell friend of Mr. Jersey joined us at Utica, and ou> 
party was complete. We were due at Utica about mid. 
night, so Harry and Chris sat up to welcome the friend 
whom we will "call Smith, because that's -bis name. The? 
left the train to help him aboard with his traps, then a! 
three entered the smoking car ahead. When tickets wer< 
called for they found to their dismay that the train ha» 
split in two at Utica, our sleeper, the Lena, being boun< 
for Montreal, and their portion of the train go : ng b 
Malone only. I had all the baggage, even their hats, bu 
to balance accounts, they had the tickets and all th, 
money. Eventually along about 3 in the morning ou 
train was held at a siding till they caught up and go! 
aboard, three very worried looking men, indeed. If th I 
railroad authorities had not been so accommodating wj 
would have been delayed three days, as trains are nol 
allowed to run through the Province of New Brunswici 
on Sunday. No C. P. R. train leaves Montreal for NeA» 
Brunswick on Saturday evening, although the conductol 
told me they used to leave Saturday as well as any othel 
day in the week, stop wherever they happened to be al 
midnight, wait patiently until midnight Sunday and pro! 
ceed to their destination. Imagine any passengers in thl 
United States brooking a delay of twenty-four hours il 
lhat way. New Brunswick still has her "blue laws." Ij 
you are a lumberman, you can come out of the forest ol 
Sunday, but on no account are you allowed to start intl 
the woods on that day. 
Some of our provisions we purchased in Montreal an ft 
expressed through, among which was a carefully handle! 
and suspicious looking case. Sportsmen are always stronft 
Prohibitionists, you know. .• J 
Again we found ourselves in Boicstown with Carsol 
and Hale's familiar faces to greet us. All of Boiestowl 
meet the train as a daily diversion. So crowded was thl 
platform, that Chris in alighting deposited all our new tiri 
ware from Fredericton, carefully on the track, much tft 
the amusement of the onlookers, but time is no objeci 
to this train, and with the aid of the conductor and onft 
of the crew, Chris was soon set to rights. Wave yot» 
band at any crossing and they'll take you aboard or carrl 
a bundle for you to the next town, J 
This year we had no easy twelve-mile tramp from thl 
head of the settlement, but a journey of some thirty-fhft 
miles. We got an early start, two teams with our provi 
