The sun., 1908-07-05
HUNT FOR BIG GAME.
wcs,an Braves Dangers OF Lower Cali
forpia I'm Search for Big Horn Sheep.

From Me Los Anoeies Times.
Mr. and Mrs. Howard 8. Reed, In their
recent two months trip in Lower California
shot more big horn sheep than ever before
were secured by one hunting party. and this
means much, for the successful stalking OF
sheep on the peninsula IL regarded as one OF
tho most difflcult Of accomplishments. The
Reeds nineteen victims were not only excel.
lent specimens but included big horns Of al
ages.
Mr. and Mrs. Reed. who were accompanied
by Elhridge d. Rand. went down the west
coast In . schooner and landed at q village
net fer from Megdalena Bay. They had
three guides and packers. a pack train oi
eight mules and three moro animals on which
they rode.
The Reeds gradually work ed their way l5t
miles inland. reaching q region seldom in
vaded by white sportsmen. The scarcity oil
water was q very serious matter. 1t had
sometimes to be packed for thirty miles and
was seldom Of good quality. The water holes
when found proved to be more or less con-
tamnated. The country is as wild and rocky
as parts Of Wyoming. Before the trip was
ended nearly all the footwear was torn To
pieces. II was almost impossible TO keep
shoes on the mules.
Internationally the success OF the Reeds
on the recent trip for big horn sheep was due
to the fact that Mr. Reed has been q close
student Of sheep In every range from north
ern Alaska to the point furthest south where
they are to be found.
The big horn sheep, like the antelope. Ia
growing very rare. and even In Lower CALI
fornia II taxes the ingenuity Of hunter to
gtt q shot at one. Mr.. Reed was an xious to
secure specimens Of all ages for preser walton
In some museum. Every animal shot was
carefully measured. samples OF shrubs or
other food on which II may have been feeding
gathered. and photograph taken. For the
establishment Of museum of natural history
In California Mr.. Reed has contributed money
as well as his personal efforts. and his hope
will probably be realized in the near future.
Mrs. Reed has often taken her life In her
hands. She can skin and preserve big game
like q professional. knows woodcraft thor
oughly and 10 q dead shot with the rife. Fa-
tigue seems unknown to her. She and her
husband are In perfect harmony In their love
OF the wilds. When In the field she wears
a short khaki skirt. flannel shirt. khaki hat
and elkskin shoes and leggings. In Alaska
she carried q .40s nchester and In the South
q ISL Remington. the weapon that shoots
through steel.
Mrs. Reed Ii the only white woman who
has ever had the courage to penetrate the
wilderness Of over California. She bagged
two sheep. one fine eve and a ram. She also
did her own skinnin9. and the old Indian
guide did q war dance when he saw her skill
with the hunting knife. The eve killed had
q lamb and this the huntress decided to raise.
The killing Of famous ram was one Of the
exciting incidents Of the trip. Mr., Reed had
heard stories OF the monster, and wished
eagerly for q shot. For years big game
hunters had chased IL In vain Some had
even come over from England, lured by ro-
mantio tales OF the gigantic sheep, but until
Mr.. Reed s arrival II had escap ped leaden pills.
The monarch of the peninsula led q solitary
life, keeping apart from the band and gem
orally taking up o position on come almost
inaccessible crag. where he could see ap-
preaching enemies.
The Reeds followed the traiP eagerly, bus
It was q week or moro before their oppor-
tunity came. Near sundown the big ram
was sesn on distant crag. silhouetted against
the glowing skies. He had already seen the
hunting party and evidently was curious
about the mules.
Leaving his companions. MIR, Reed began
crawling on his hands and knees toward the
animal. and when within seventy five yards
fired straight and true for the sleeps
shoulder. The horns measure i7k inches
ct the base.