ducing the farmers to feed them. A few dozen birds purchased, if 

 needful, by private subscription, and turned loose in each county, 

 would keep the state well stocked with game. 



In the same way the migratory birds are slaughtered, while too 

 young to take care of themselves, and all true sportsmen will help 

 in every way the enforcement of the laws that will protect the game 

 and at the same time increase the pleasure and excitement of hunting. 



HINTS ON SHOOTING. 



There are many things to learn in order to become a good shot. 

 First of all, be sure to get a good gun and have it fitted to you by 

 the dealer. Have the drop and stock best suited to you ; don't go 

 according to what some one else uses. The best average drop of stock 

 is two and three quarters inches ; length of stock fourteen inches from 

 front trigger pull. This will make a good fit with tight clothes on ; 

 with loose clothes use a rubber heel. The heel may also be used to 

 make the stock a little longer if necessary. Nine men out of ten 

 shoot off the muscle of the arm, either because the gun does not fit, 

 the load is too heavy, or their clothes are too heavy or tight. 



A twelve gauge gun of about eight pounds weight is the best for 

 field shooting. Always use smokeless powder and use chilled shot 

 and a two and three-quarters inch shell. 



Let the right barrel be a modified choke that will make a good 

 pattern at thirty yards, and have the left barrel full choke. This will 

 be good for both field and trap. A choke bore gun will make a pat- 

 tern of eighteen inches to a three-foot circle from twenty-five to forty- 

 five yards. The finer the shot the larger the circle. 



Never shoot a heavy load that kicks and makes the arm sore. 



If the gun kicks, it is either because there is too much powder in the 

 load, or because the gun is not held properly, and so instead of hold- 

 ing the gun firmly against the shoulder, the hunter is "shooting off 

 the muscle." This is much more common than is imagined, as few 

 who suffer with a sore arm after a days hunt care to confess that they 

 did not know how to hold their guns correctly, but it is nevertheless true 

 that many a hunter finds his right arm tender for days after a day's 

 shooting. 



Often the stock of the gun is too long, and if there is any tendency 



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