76 FISH CULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 
POACHERS. 
BY JAMES ANNIN, JR. 
I shall endeavor to give a list of some of the most destructive 
frequenters of the trout pond and stream which have come under 
my observation, and also some of the remedies used. 
First, I have the kingfisher. His notes are heard from early 
spring until cold weather in late fall, and sometimes he will 
appear during the winter, like some sportsmen I have seen who 
could not stand it until the season opened in the spring, but they 
must just go and take a look at the stream where, during the 
summer past, they had had such fine sport. 
This bird is never satisfied. From daylight to dusk he is on 
the lookout, andever ready to plunge in after any fish which may 
be exposed. 
I honestly think that a kingfisher, undisturbed during his stay 
on or near the stream, will take as many trout as the average 
sportsman. Some say, Why don’t you shoot them? Well, cold 
lead is very good when you get the time and chance to send it 
after them, but you can’t be on the look-out all the time, and I 
think the best way to get the fellow out of harm’s way is to trap 
him. For that purpose I have used small, round steel traps, the 
kind without the shank or tail-piece, fastening them on the end 
of a pole, say ten or fifteen feet long, and then putting them up 
along the stream near enough to a good fishing spot, so that the 
bird may think it a splendid point to make observations from. 
When the trap is set and in position the little plate or drop is a 
little the highest part of the trap, and as he flies up and drops on 
the trap you have him every time, and by both legs. I have taken 
as many as three of the birds in one trap during a day. It is 
always ready ; it costs nothing to keep it running besides the first 
cost of the trap. Occasionally you will have a visit from some 
other variety of birds. I have taken large fish-hawks, owls, etc.; 
never but one robin. . 
