THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
Amongst the f elides, tigers are only found in the Caspian provinces. 
Lions, that were at one time fairly common in the south-west of Persia, 
can now, it is said, only be found in Luristan. Panthers exist on practically 
all hill ranges. Bears are found in the Elburz range and also in the western 
provinces. The only elaphine deer is the maral, found on the northern 
slopes of the Elburz range, where there are forests of deciduous trees, and 
the range of the Persian roe deer is probably the same. The Mesopotamian 
fallow deer is said to be found in the forests of dwarf oak in Luristan. 
Ibex and urial are found everywhere in Persia where there are high hills 
remote from centres of population. Persian gazelle are common all over 
Persia in the garamsil , or “ hot country,” as the plains are called. 
As a general rule, it may be taken that the further away from the haunts 
of men the better the chances of sport. Breech -loading rifles are now 
plentiful in the country, and though no Persian of the upper classes, who 
own such weapons, cares for any sport that cannot be indulged in on 
horseback, they lend their rifles to their servants and others to get them 
meat. I need not say that no game laws exist and that no Persian shikari out 
to kill is ever troubled with qualms about sex or season or any such thing. 
Some parts of Persia, notably Persian Baluchistan in the east, and 
most of the frontier provinces on the west, are disturbed, and it would 
be inadvisable to attempt a shooting trip in those districts. There is no 
absolute veto against Europeans visiting any part of Persia, but it would 
be exceedingly difficult to get transport and supplies in disturbed parts, 
while wandering about without a strong escort would also be very risky. 
It would always be advisable for anyone contemplating shooting in Persia 
to ask for assistance and advice from the British Consul posted in the 
district it is desired to travel in. Their good offices with the local authori- 
ties are often essential and would always be useful. 
Unless a sportsman has a friend in the country to arrange for his camp 
equipage, tents, etc., these should be taken with him. Servants can be got 
in most of the towns where there are consulates, while shikaris should be 
enlisted locally. 
As a very short bibliography for intending sportsmen I would recom- 
mend Curzon’s well-known but now scarce work, “Persia,” Sykes’s 
“Ten Thousand Miles in Persia,” and Nelligan’s “Hints to Residents 
and Travellers in Persia.” The only volume entirely devoted to sport in 
Persia is the present writer’s “ By Mountain, Lake and Plain.” 
R. L. KENNION. 
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