Hunting in the Wilderness [antikvár]

PREFACEI have always held the opinion that South America has created a gap in the annals of big game hunting in the world. Many excellent works have been produced on the subject in Africa, Asia and North America, but relatively little has been said of the opportunities present to shooters "South of the Panama".I have tried in a small way to fill some of this gap in this book, and to reveal to the would-be hunter some of the many challenges he faces on a shoot in the last of the "dark continents".I agree that the game are neither as large nor as vindictive as many of the African species, yet the jaguar, the third largest cat in the world, is a notable exception who can match both the lion and the tiger in strength and cunning, and the tapir can absorb more badly placed lead than most animals twice his size.Many of the grasslands areas have been compared to those of East Africa, but apart from deer and a few lesser animals the plains-game are conspicuous by their absence. Practically all species are both nocturnal and deep forest dwellers. They are also extremely shy and wary, and due to their environment very difficult to approach. In view of this and coupled with the ever-present danger of getting lost, the prospective hunter will require a reliable guide, fully versed in the habits of the game, and the vicinity over which they roam.Amer-indians, when far removed from alcohol, and the nauseating brews of their villages, are by and large scrupulously honest, wonderful bush men, and above average trackers. Their eyesight and powers of observation are so acute, that they will invariably point out the quarry when the sportsman cannot even distinguish it from its surroundings with the aid of a pair of binoculars.However, like all primitives, they make no distinction between a good or bad head, or a buck and a doe, and expect the hunter to shoot at everything they see. Usually it is unwise, yet often unavoidable, to ask an Indian for his opinion in any matter, as the tendency for him is to always tell you what he thinks you want to hear. In other words, the camp is always "near", the game is always "plentiful in that area", and the spoor they're following is always that of "the bull o' the woods".It is also very difficult to impress upon him that you want to do all the shooting, and the only satisfactory way out of this is to make sure that he leaves his own ancient musket at home, or as soon as he spots that trophy you've been tracking all day through sweltering jungle he'll let go with his cannon with commendable accuracy.9