The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-25
RARE SUMNER SPORT
n,,ur,No FLEET FOOTED ANTELOPE
ON THE BROAD PLAINS.
rhs Opening Of Indian Lands and the so'-
usment. Driving the Pretty Creatures
o.t--A Prairie Pleasure Fast Passing
Deer Seldom Seem
fennnInl Corrnsnondcncc.l

rsreclal Corrcspondcncc.1
airline. Kan, Aug THE palmy days
NJ the prairie sportsman are nearly chdeu
tbrouchout the west,-indeel in most sec
tlons they passed years ago. WIN ,ne
onening Of one piece Of Indian lana ai'er
snotber and the settlement OF Uncle sam
sfarrnu bv the farmers Of Kansas, Nebras-
ka and the Dakotas, determination u APP
narently the coming fate OF some OF the
best .rame OF the plains Theprairie chicken
a. noitccahlv scarce. Bob Whites" CHEEKY
colI "a seldom heard, the buffalo is rem
,niscer,ce end even the feet footed antelope
Is hard 70 find.
The time WAC when every white sheeted
CAMPERS wagon passed near TO the pretty
creatures almost every mile Oh JUS trans
missouri Journey II was no uncommon
thing for the overland trains to halt neer
herd, as they did near cowboys camp
ground sometimes, and enable the passen-
gers togct shot At the wondering animals
Now il is only in southwestern Kansas
and the west half Of the Indian Territory
that they can DO 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. so 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 ant
er the game that there so generously
abounds. and none has had a more enjoy
able trip OF one fraught with better re-
ward than those which made antelope their
aim and came back with their horses car
rying great loads of venison The expert
ence Of one party is typical Of all.
One favorite method OF hunting the ante
lone is akin 10 stalking" Finding some
adjacent ravine, the hunters creep carefully
up its bed until opposite the little herd
perhaps only trio or quartet OF SLENDER
mild eyed creatures, cropping daintily the
tender grass Curiosity is their besetting
sin, as IL is that Of their relatives, the deer.
Slowly, craftily, an old hat goes up on
the end of a dry sunfower stalk. With
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 delicate mincing gait they
come, and the glistening barrels pointing
through a clump Of long slough grass have
plenty Of time to come TO perfect aim.
Nearer, nearer and still nearer the quarry
approaches until suddenly something star
ties the acute senses.
The pretty animals stop and prepare to
retreat Now is the time. Crack bangl
-Four barrels speak out almost in unison,
and the hunters rush forward TO see two Of
Q TOD of baa
while the Others are fleeing toward the far
horizon at rate which promises to ami
hilate time and space. The guide looks at
their tracks and notes the blood spots on
the grass. He shakes his head and persists
in following them up. Another victim is
found two miles away, dying amid aclump
of cottonwoods near a stream.
But the most fun is hunting antelope
with dogs. The land is so level and the
Opportunities for running so good that an |
ambitious canine Is certain that nothing |
can escape him. A jack rabbit takes some
OF the conceit out of him, and coyote may
make him ashamed Of himself, but il is
with an antelope that the real test comes,
TO follow the dogs successfully there
must, too be feet saddle ponies and the
1.-The Mexican horses are best for the task.
With the huge saddles with immense backs
aud pommels held on by two wide girths,
one is as safely and almost as easily located |
on their backs as in the family rocking
chair.
Skirting the bluff Of a friendly ravine, at |
length the guide gives the signal to come
out on the level prairie. and there a mile or |
more away are the antelope. Slowly the |
party rides toward them. waiting until |
they shall take alarm before the start is |
made In earnest All ut once the creatures |
take fright aud prepare to decamp.
The dogs are loosec, spurs touch the |
ponies tanks, and the sport begins in ear
nest The dogs donot do their best just at |
first, but soon they warm to the work, and |
far though they are behind it is easy tassA
THAI they are not losing ground.