THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
plains of Asia also hold many species of animals peculiar to them in 
particular. 
The most productive, the best known, and perhaps the most attractive 
hunting ground for Englishmen in Asia is, without doubt, India. The 
great contrasts of physical conditions and of climate cause it to contain 
an amazing variety of animal life, which includes many fine trophies, 
some dangerous, some rare and some very peculiar beasts. India is easy 
to get to, it has many attractions which appeal directly to the Britisher, 
travel throughout its length and breadth is comparatively luxurious and 
easily arranged. Its gigantic border ranges are a veritable paradise after 
the heat of the plains, and for generations they have given, and they still 
give, splendid sport to innumerable hunters. India practically constitutes 
a hunting ground to itself, with Burma as an appanage; they can be 
roughly divided into lowland and highland sections. 
Next in order of merit, and yet, curiously enough, the most recent to 
be appreciated, are the hunting grounds of Inner Asia — the Pamirs and 
the Tian Shan. These are entirely for the hill-stalker, they support hill 
game of the finest quality and in quite phenomenal numbers. The biggest 
ibex, the heaviest wild sheep, the longest roe deer horns and the finest 
wapiti procurable to-day are to be obtained on the roof of the world and 
in the Celestial Mountains. These alone are worth the lengthy journey that 
is entailed. Every year the Tian Shan is becoming the more favourite goal 
for those who can afford the time. Railways are creeping eastwards across 
the wastes of Central Asia and bringing the most out-of-the-way places 
within easy reach. The construction of roads over the Kara Korum barrier 
is making it yet more feasible for the Englishman in India to reach that 
“ Mecca ” of his desires on a short leave. Of the Pamirs who can say ? 
The big Ovis poll have now retired into remote and prohibited regions, and 
the hunter has to content himself with poor examples of this magnificent 
wild sheep, or wait. 
The Persian ranges and the Caucasus form a jumble of hunting grounds 
which it is difficult to divide up. They are alike in many ways, and yet 
such different conditions prevail that they are dealt with subsequently 
under different headings. These regions are comparatively little known, 
in spite of their close proximity to Europe; the Caucasus can only claim 
to be half in Asia. There are hunting grounds in Asia Minor which are 
within a week’s journey from London. Political intrigue and internal 
troubles have rendered these countries inhospitable to the traveller, yet 
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