GAME-BAGS. l8l 



is a fact that the game is not nearly so easily carried 

 in the large pocket of the coat. The July birds will 

 not keep half so long, if carried in this manner. And 

 when resting, the load cannot easily be thrown off 

 the shoulder for the relief of the hunter. Moreover, 

 should he be invited to dine at some good farmer's, 

 and wish to appear as respectable as possible for a 

 Nimrod, the young ladies might not admire the pecu- 

 liar odor coming from the shooting-jacket ; and al- 

 though he may have taken pains to remove all the 

 game, the blood-stains will remain, and will look alto- 

 gether too unbecoming and filthy for any respectable 

 sportsman. 



In selecting a bag, get a wide, thick strap for the 

 shoulder, and it will not hurt you, while a thin one, 

 of sheep-skin or webbing, will w r ear your shoulder 

 badly in a couple of hours, if you have a fair bag 

 of game. There can be no compromise in this. 

 Have an inside pocket in your game-bag divided 

 into compartments for your luncheon, powder-flask, 

 and shot-pouch. Even should you never use the 

 flask or pouch from the bag, it is very convenient in 

 keeping the packages together in travelling or mov- 

 ing about, or while it is hanging in your room, as it 

 saves multiplicity of pieces. If you have a bag 

 made by some shoemaker, (which is the better way,) 

 have your net made like corded shad-nets, which 

 have been- tanned to prevent their decay; they 

 will then be strong, and will not easily break in the 

 covert. Do away with all toggery about your bag, re- 

 membering that a fancy border hanging down is a 



