Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-15
HUNT FOR BIG GAME.
Woman Braves Dangers in Search
tor Big Horn Sheep.

tor Big Horn Sheep.
From the Los Angeles Times
Mr.. and Mrs. Howard s. Reed. in their
recent two months trip in Lower Cali
fornia, shot more big horn sheep than
ever before were secured by one hunting
party. and this means much, for the sue
cessful stalking Of sheep on the peninsula
Is regarded as one Of the most diffieult
OF accomplishments. The Reeds nine
teen victims were not only excellent .speci-
mems, but included big horns of all ages.
Alr. and Mrs. Reed. who we're accom-
panied by Elbridse D. Rand went down
the west coast In schooner and landed
at village not far from Magdalena bay,
They had three guides and packers. a
pack train Of eight mules and three more
animals on which they rode
The Reeds gradually worked their way
$50 miles inland. reaching region seldom
invaded by white sportsmen. The scarcity
OF water was 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 contaminated. The country
IS as wild and rocky as parts Of Wyom-
Ing. Before the trip was ended nearly
all the footwear was torn to pieces. 1t
was almost impossible to keep shoes on
the mules.
Unquestionably the success of the Reeds
on the recent trip for big horn sheep was
due to the fact that Mr.. Reed has been
close student of sheep in every range
from northern Alaska to the point fur
thest south where they are to be found.
The big horn sheep. like, the antelope Is
growing very rare. and even in Lower
California 1t taxes the ingenuity OF
hunter to get a shot at one. Mr.. Reed
was anxious to secure specimens OF all
ages for preservation in some museum.
Every animal shot was carefully meas
ured. samples of shrubs or other food on
which 1t may have been feeding gathered
and photograph taken. For the esfab-'
lishment OF a museum Of natural history
in California Mr.. Reed has contributed
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 professional. knows wood
craft thoroughly and is dead shot with
the rife. Fatigue seems unknown to her.
She and her husband are in perfect mar
mony in their love OF the wilds. When
In the field she wears short KHAKI
skirt. flannel shirt. khaki hat and elk
carried a .4n5 Winchester and in the
south 351 Remington, the weapon that
shoots through steel.
Mrs. Reed is the only white woman who
has ever had the courage to penetrate
the wilderness of Lower California. She
bagged two sheep. one fine eve and
ram. She also did her own skinning. and
the old Indian guide did war dance
when he saw her skill with the hunting
knife. The eve killed had lamb and
this the huntress decided to raise.
The killing of a famous ram was one
of the exciting incidents of the trip. Mr..
Reed had heard stories OF the monster
and wished eagerly for a shot. For
years big game hunters had chased 1t in
vain. Some had even come over from
England. lured by romantic tales Of the
gigantic sheep. but until Mr.. Reeds ar
rival it had escaped leaden pills. The
monarch OF the peninsula led solitary
life, keeping apart from the band and
generally taking up a position on some
almost Inaccessible craE. where he could
see approaching enemies.
The Reeds followed the trail eagerly,
but it was week or more before their
opportunity came. Near shutdown the big
ram was seen on a distant crae. silhouet-
ted against the glowing skies. He had al
ready seen the hunting party and evident
ly was curious about the mules.
Leaving his companions, Mr.. Reed be-
gan crawling on his hands and knees to-
ward the animal, and when within sew
enty-hve yards fired straight and true
for the Sleeps shoulder. The horns
measures seventeen and three-quarter
inches at the base