However, even though cattle didn't kill the Gila, Mr. Hand's diary reveals the abundance of wildlife this desert riparian area used to support. Most of the streams in the Southwest have been degraded by livestock, but like the Gila, they used to support a wealth of wildlife. Killed one very large rattlesnake.
Game is plenty - mourning doves, quail, cottontail and other rabbits very thick.
Ferguson killed a very large buck yesterday. We have a shotgun but unfortunately no ammunition. We arrived here at Antelope Peak half past 6, before breakfast - very nice. The road is between this and the river, all near together. We go into the water, then stay out till our clothes get dry and jump in again.