AUSTIN — The state land commissioner blocking a proposal to transfer the Christmas Mountains to the National Park Service because he wants to permit hunting on the land appears ready to let the transaction proceed, documents show.

In a letter addressed to the superintendent of Big Bend National Park, State Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson wrote that he has "instructed my staff to work with your agency ... to work through these issues and secure the necessary funding for the transfer of the Christmas Mountains to the National Park Service."

The letter was obtained by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for a story in today's editions.

Patterson, chairman of the School Land Board, has so far declined to bring up for board consideration a park service proposal to add the property to Big Bend National Park. A fierce gun-rights advocate, Patterson wants a federal agency that will allow hunting, which is generally prohibited on National Park Service lands. Patterson has also previously indicated willingness to selling the land to a private bidder to maintain hunting rights.

The property in question is about 9,200 acres of rugged wilderness, with a mile-long border with Big Bend. It was donated to Texas by the Virginia-based Conservation Fund in 1991. The land was given to Texas with the understanding that the National Park Service of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department would take over if the state lost interest in the property.

The letter also outlines Patterson's concern that transferring the property to the park service would prohibit hunting in the Christmas Mountains. Noting that President Bush issued an executive order in September calling for an "expansion and enhancement of hunting opportunities" by federal agencies, Patterson requested the park service designate the land as a national preserve "so that opportunities for public hunting would be made available and that state firearm and hunting laws are respected," he wrote.

The apparent softening of Patterson's position was met with skepticism by Big Bend National Park Superintendent William Wellman.

"I may be a little more optimistic than I was before, but that's still not very optimistic," Wellman said.

Ken Kramer, director of the Lone Star chapter of the Sierra Club, said Patterson's letter represents a step forward.

"I consider it a good sign," Kramer said. "It does indicate a more cooperative stance by Commissioner Patterson to the National Park Service and their proposal."