The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-08-14
SUMMER SPORTS.
Hunting Fleet Footed Antelope on
the Broad Prairies or
the West
The Opening Of Indian Lands and
the Settlements Driving
Thorn Out.
A Prairie Pleasure That is Fast Passing
Away-Deer Are seldom fsen
In These Days.
[SpccIal Corrcsnondencc.1

ABILENE, KAN, Aug. 8.-The palmy days
of the prairie sportsman are nearly ended
throughout the west-ipdeed in most sec
tions they passed years ago. With the
opening OF one piece Of Indian land after
another and the settlement Of Uncle Sans
farm by the farmers Of Kansas, Nebras-
ka and the Dakotas, determination is ap-
parently the coming fate of some Of the
best game OF the plains. The prairie chicken
is noticeably scarce, bob White's'' CHEEKY
cali IL seldom heard, the buffalo is n rem
iniscence, and even the fleet footed antelope
Is hard to end.
The time was when every white sheeted
campers wagon passed near to thep pretty
creatures almost every mile Of Its trans
missouri journey. 1t was no
thing for the overland trains to halt near n
herd, as they did near a cowboys camp
ground sometimes, and enable the passen-
gers to get a shot at the wondering animals.
Now 1t is only In southwestern Kansas
and the west half of the Indian Territory
that they can be found in any abundance.
So closely have they been hunted that they
have been driven toward the foothills and
do not venture far from the recesses of
those regions, 30 favorable to the conceal
ment Of game.
In view of the opening Of the Cherokee
strip, many hunting parties have gone over
the ground during the past six months aft
er the game that there SO generously
abounds, and none has had a more enjoy
able trip or one fraught with better re-
ward than those which made antelope their
aim and came back with their horses car
rying great loads of v~enison. The expert
ence Of one party is typical of all.
One f~avorite method Of hunting the ante
lope is akin to stalking" Finding some
adjacent ravine. the hunters creep carefully
up it's bed until opposite the little herd
perhaps only a trio or quartet Of slender,
mild eyed creatures, cropping daintily the
tender grass. Curiosity is their besetting
sin, as it is that of their relatives, the deer.
Slowly, craftily, an old hat goes up on
the end of q dry sunflower stalk. Witt
quick eyes the antelope note the strange
appearance, and every head is lifted and
every eye strained. Then seeing that there
is nothing to be afraid of they commence
stealthily, steadily. to approach, step by
step. With q delicate mincing gait they
come, and the glistening barrels pointing
through q clump of long slough grass have
plenty of time to come to q perfect aim.
Nearer, nearer and still nearer the quarry
approaches until suddenly something star
ties the acute senses.
The pretty animals stop and prepare tt
retreat. Now is the time. Crack bang
Four barrels speak out almost in unison
and the hunters rush forward to see two o.
the sleek coated victims gasping on the sod
while the others are fleeing toward the fa'
horizon at q rate which promises to ami
hilate time and space. The guide looks a
their tracks and notes the blood spots OF
the grass. He shakes his head nj persist:
in following them up. Another victim il
found two miles away, dying mid acluml
of cottonwoods near q stream.
But the most fun is hunting ANTELOPE
with dogs. The land is SO level and TIN
opportunities for running SO good that al
ambitious canine is certain that nothing
can escape him. A jack rabbit takes SOM
of the conceit out of him, and a coyote ma.
make him ashamed of himself, but it l
with an antelope that the real test comes.
To follow the dogs successfully Their
must, too, be feet saddle ponies, and tn
1.-the Mexican horses are best for the task
With the huge saddles with immense back
and pommels held on by two wide girths
one is as safely and almost as easily locate
on their backs as in the family rocking
chair.
Skirting the bluff of a friendly %ravine, a
length the guide gives the signal to com
out on the level prairie, and there a mile o
more away are the antelope. Slowly tn
party rides toward them, waiting unit
they shall take alarm before the start
made in earnest. All at once the creature
take fright and prepare to decamp.
The dogs are loosed, spurs touch tn
ponies TANKS, and the sport begins in cal
nest. The dogs do not do their best just q
first, but soon they warm to the work, an
far though they are behind it is easy to sc
that they are not losing ground.