Home is the hunter, Home from the hills Wild game hunting remains an integral part of life in Kimble County By Frederica Burt Wyatt
T
he phrase, “home is the hunter, home from the hills”, contained in the requiem immortalized by Robert Louis Stevenson, may well echo along the rugged slopes, verdant valleys, and placid streams of Kimble County. Hunting of wild game has been an integral way of life in this area of Texas since before pioneer settlers discovered the Native American “happy hunting grounds”. Frontiersmen, with their Kentucky long rifles and other primitive firearms, had a two-fold purpose when setting out in quest of their quarry. Of necessity, the meat helped fill the “larder” for the family’s existence, and the thrill of the hunt for whitetail deer, bear, buffalo, occasional antelope, along with other feral animals provided some exhilaration in the settlers’ oft-times drab and laborious lives. Time has not revealed when the first recreational hunters were lured to the hill country in quest of the abundant wild game, but local legend relates Teddy Roosevelt and some of his Rough Riders of the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, in 1898, made a lengthy hunting trek from San Antonio to western Kimble County. The event will be forever memorialized by the selection of his name for the little village post office of Roosevelt. The advent of motorized transportation expedited the hunting industry
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in the rural, and sometimes remote, areas of Texas. City residents found a respite from the daily hustle and bustle of their existence. Even many from out-of-state were fascinated by the tales of Texas’ abounding wild game and racks of trophy antlers. They, too, found their way to the utopia known as Kimble County. Locals and visitors, alike, anticipated the first day of each hunting season with enthusiastic anticipation, ever hopeful a cool “snap” might arrive to aid in their endeavors. Camaraderie between fellow hunters was a common feature around open camp fires. The sight of canvas tents and rustic huts dotted the backwoods scene, as hunting hopefuls accustomed themselves to the newly-discovered environment. The somewhat primitive conditions would eventually be replaced by hunting cabins with adequate conveniences, modern travel trailers, or similar facilities. “Blinds”, often unique and sometimes elaborate, became a popular addition to many hunting leases. Cold-storage facilities and dressing plants were vital attributes to the hunting industry, as well as hotels, motels, feed stores, and other commercial establishments. The influx of prospective hunters provided landowners with profitable earnings, and hunting became a boost necessary to vitalize rural Texas. Importation of exotic game contributed to the excitement of the
hunting experience. Novice huntsmen, eager for success, sometimes found it desirable to engage the services of local guides. It seemed as if there was a striking similarity between some Texas hunts and African big game safaris. Even unto the present time, hunting and its associated tourism continue to provide livelihood and vitality to Kimble County ranchers, businesses, and other residents.
Contests are still initiated, and competition is good-naturedly evident among visiting, as well as local, participants as they vie for prizes: for the first deer harvested each season, the largest trophy animal, and the most outstanding antler rack. An annual Wild Game Dinner is only one of several events celebrating the amenities of the local area and its attraction to those who come our way.
Camaraderie around the campfire. Gordon Stewart Ranch, 1943 Left to right: Gordon Stewart of the State Game & Fish Commission, District Judge - J.B. Randolph, State Board of Commission Chairman - Weaver H. Baker, Texas Rangers Captain - Gully Cowsert, Governor of Texas - Coke R. Stevenson, Former Mayor of Junction - Emil Loeffler.
A photo from the November 17, 1966, edition of The Junction Eagle headlines “Over 800 Deer and About 60 Turkeys Stored in Local Plants After First Three Days of Season”
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