THE BLACK BEAR OF MUSKOKA 101 



like my own. He took to the double-barrel 

 as naturally as I did to the repeater, and did 

 excellent work with it. Personally, I have always 

 preferred the Winchester. I now use a 45-90 

 with my old buffalo gun, a 40-90 Sharps', as 

 spare rifle. Both, of course, have specially tested 

 barrels, and are stocked and sighted to suit 

 myself." 



England does not afford the same facilities 

 for turning out good shots and experienced 

 sportsmen as America or Canada, hence a few 

 hints on shooting may be useful. Firstly, pur- 

 chase a gun made by one of the most approved 

 gunsmiths. Practise the handling of it in your 

 own room : be sure that it comes to the shoulder 

 right, and that the eye runs along the barrel 

 with facility. Bring it up to your shoulder 

 ever and anon ; take sight along the barrel 

 and at some small object placed in the farthest 

 corner of the room a red wafer, or a piece of 

 coloured paper stuck on the wall. By these 

 means a certain degree of ease in handling of 

 the gun will be acquired, and then it will be 

 as well to crack off a few caps by way of 

 accustoming the eye and ear to the explosion, 

 as also familiarising the finger with the touch 



