WILD FLORIDA AS TOLD BY THE PIONEER “COW HUNTERS AND HUNTRESSES” WHO LIVED IT Two hundred years ago, pioneer “cow hunters and huntresses” in search of a better place to grow their families and raise cattle forged their way into the heart of wild Florida. They survived by wit and fortitude and drove down stakes in the unforgiving land. Traveling in covered wagons, alongside their cattle, they carved rutted trails through pine forests, trudged through swamps, black clouds of mosquitoes, survived pestilence, and disease to settle on Florida’s rich prairie grassland. These rugged men and women cultivated the land, grew crops, put up clapboard houses, and rounded-up “scrub cattle” left by early Spanish explorers to breed and improve their herd. These pioneer families passed down their heritage of hard work and persistence. As Norman Proveaux, pioneer Myakka rancher puts it, “true ‘cow hunters’ are bred not made.” Indiantown “cow huntress” Iris Wall, quips, she is a “Florida cracker with a little extra salt!” These are the true adventures of wild Florida told by the pioneer “cow hunters and huntresses” who lived it and gave birth to the Florida cattle industry. CONTACT: Nancy Dale, Ph.D. (863) 214-8351 or www.nancydalephd.com or [email protected]