The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1909-11-17
THE SPORTSMAN'S
PARADISE.
Or Hunting IN Southwest Texas.
(By Prof c. y. Chapnsan.)
NO. 1.

The Indians idea of HeaveI
as shappy hunting ground,
does not seem so unreasonabl,
TO one who has enjoyed the de
lights of few weeks spent in
/ Southwest Texas during No.
Ivember and December. in quest
of the game that 50 plentifully
abounds in almost all parts Of
the Nueces- Rio Grande section
of the state.
To the savage mind, what
higher ideal Of perfect enjoy
ment could there be than a land
Astounding in every variety of
game, where he might at all
seasons, under smiling skies
and besides silvery streamlets.
persue the painting deer. and
bring home the precious spoiis
70 the wigwam of his "dusky
mate"
Without the light Of Revela-
ton, no people has ever formed
more felicitOus idea Of the
Great Spirit. and his benevolent
provisions for the post mortem
happiness of his creatures. than
the red Indians Of North Amer.
lea. A 'happy huntin
ground" ment for them a more
active, happy. vigorous life.
than that of the Nalhalla of the
Norsemen. the Nirvana Of the
IIfnHnau ~ ,.~.., 4l.a f.f-l
forward TO by those who literal.
~ interpret the magnificent
allegories Of the Book of Revel-
alton. How absurd the idea of
the old lady, that m Heaven
she would, because she had no
voice, get rid of the singing:
and, as she was not "a musician.
she would have no part In play
ing the golden harps; aud SO
have nothing Go do forever
and ever" Life here consists
in the activeties of body. and
mind, and spirit: and i'm the
future, We can conceive of no
high order of being that will
not employ TO the uttermost
every energy Of a fall and per
feet manhood.
This region, practically one
great game preserve. extends
along the Rio Grande more
team six hundred miles. and
varies from one hundred TO two
hundred miles in breadth. (
covering an area equal 90 twice I
the area of Virginia. Ia ITS I
lower portion il is covered with /
a dense growth of Chaparal. I
almost impenetrable in places. I
consisting of mesquite. cats 4
claw and occasional clumps of 4
scrubby post oak, or live oak 7
NOTES. The guagilla, the
the white brush and (.
other shrubs. abound. ON the
chalk ridges which cross the
country az intervals of "A few
grow the prickley pear
cactus. the Spanish dagger. and.
On some OF them. the magnev
plant, which here seems to find
a conAeHlat naoltat.
Ia this chaparral region. both
)n the lower lands and on the
ridges, are frequent open spaces. +
pr glades, in which luxuriant
grasses abound. Ia the low
ands are also found sloughs
pr bayOucas. as they are called. /
illed with grasses and weeds.
which are the resort of the deer
Turing the day AZ certain
seasons of the year the leaves
and fruits of the hin plants.
especially the tanas. the fruit
II the prlckly pear, are much
sought after by the deer. Be
sides deer, this chaparral re. I
zion is the abode of wildcats.
avelines or wild muskhogs. ,
Mexican panthers. and many !
Sinds of smaller game, such as }
coyotes, armadillos, badgers.
tic.
On the mountains of the
northern, or upper portion. are :
ound the black tail deer, black B
sears. Mexican lions. a few &
mountain sheep and an occa- (
sonal grizzly bear.
The new game law of Texas
limits the number OF bucks a
ingle hunter may kill to three.
nj he Is not permitted TO Kill
doe or fawn under any cir