348 



«> 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Jmns 2, 1881. 



$mt[t jjjjag and <§un. 



THE NEBRASKA SPORTSMEN'S CONVENTION. 



T„„ _ Lincoln, Nebraska, May 17. 



Hlu btate convention of sportsmen met at the Board of 

 Trade Rooms, at 8 p; m. President J. 0. McBridc 

 called the meeting to order. Upon the calling of the roll of 

 membership 'he following clubs were represented by full 

 deli gations, viz : 



Omaha (Sportsman's Club-B. E. B. Kennedy, John N 

 Petty, W. H. S. Hughes, J. F. McCartney and S. B. Hath- 

 away. 



Working Men's Club, Omaha- E. Leeder, P. R. Smith 

 Geo. Jones, John McDonald, Win. Robinson. 



Lincoln Sportsmen's Club— J. H. Honey well, S. C. Elliott, 

 S. S. Brock, C. E. Strassberger, Dr. F. S. Rouse. 



Osceola Sportsmen's Club— J. M. Woods, N. W. Logan 

 L. A. Bellzer, W. P. Miller, J. H. Abbott. 



Silsby Gun Club. Syracuse— Joseph Rogers, W. T. Peet 

 A. B. Barney, Ira. P. Conger, F. E. Brown. 



Plattsuioulli Sportsmen's Club— Gen. R. R. Livingston 

 Sam. M. Chapman, Geo. S. Smith, P. E. White. W -T 

 Matlhews. 



Norfolk Sportsmen's Club— J. S. McClary, C. P. Matthew- 

 son, Wm. Battler, C. Selah, S. W. Uaycs. 



Nemahu County Sportsmen's Club— W. T. Den W M 

 Kauffmau, W. W. Browning. Church Howe, A. R. Davis 



On motion a committee of three on credentials was ap- 

 pointed by the president. The committee retired and soon 

 returned and reported the foregoing list of delegates entitled 

 to sea's. Report adopted. 



The address of the retiring presideut was read, as follows • 

 Gentlemen of the Convention, : 



Custom seems to call upon the retiring president of this 

 association for a few last words, something in the form of a 

 message, reviewing the past and suggesting topics for con- 

 sideration now and in the future. Since your last meetihe 

 quite a revival in shooting and fishing circles has taken place 

 as is witnessed by the number of new clubs organized in the 

 State, most of which contemplate an early membeisliin in 

 this association. Wnether they ultimately "become members 

 or not we have the satisfaction of knowing that in spirit they 

 are valuable allies, and that the good work begun six years 

 ago will be more carefully guarded in the future. 



The stocking of the streams with valuable flsh by the 

 State Fishery Commissioners, all of whom are members of 

 this association, has had a cheering effect upon Nebraska 

 sportsmen, and we are slill more encouraged by the splendid 

 appropriation of $7,400 to be expended by ihem in 'their 

 good work. 



F,y tlie act approved Feb. 29, 1879, the catching of fish in 

 any of the waters by means of nets, seines or baskets of any 

 kind is prohibited, and a severe penalty is inflicted upon the 

 guilty party; yet such is the greed of man, or more generally 

 of boys, that many eases of violations have no doubt oc- 

 curred and are occurring in the interior of the State, and a 

 sharp lookout for violaters of this law is recommended 



In accordance w;trf your instructions given at your last 

 meeting, 3,00(J copies of the game laws of ihe State, in poster 

 form, were printed and distiibuted to Ihe local clubs a large 

 number posted at railroad stations, and a copy mailed' to ench 

 postmaster of the State with a request to post it. up in the 

 office. Railroad officials afforded facilities in thh good work 

 and directed agents to post up the laws in a conspicuous 

 place, all of which, your president believes, was of great 

 benefit to the game and fish interests of the State. 



Through the sentimentality of a few visionary persons the 

 Legislature of 1875 enacted a most ridiculous liw which pro- 

 tected hawks and owls from destruction, and permitted them 

 to prey not alone upon the song-sparrow, the wren and hun- 

 dreds of other native birds, but to appease their never-ceasing 

 hunger upon the quail and the prairie chicken. There is no 

 sportsman in the State who annually kills as many birds as 

 the average hawk or owl destroys. He is a constant and unre- 

 lentiug "pot-hunter." Prom break of day until nightfall he 

 skims the prairies in search of the lesser of his tribe; and he 

 is no respecter of age, fur he devours not only the old but 

 the young also, and is particularly fond of the fledgelings and 

 the eggs. After darkness sets in, and the hawk is compelled 

 to retire, the "moping owl," his alert and nocturnal recruit 

 takes up the work of destruction, and thus, day and night' 

 thcfce ravenous bird killers plied their vocations, and were 

 protected by law because of their reputed appetites for grass- 

 hoppers. Your president is not a believer in the 

 theory advanced by the over zealous advocates of 

 that law. The hawk and owl do not subsist 

 upon grasshoppers, except in the absence of the more tooth- 

 some quail or sparrow, and if they did the large number of 

 small birds annually destroyed by them would pick up mil- 

 lions of locusts and other noxious insects, where owls and 

 hawks would destroy but few. It is in consideration of the 

 destruction annually wrought by hawks and owli that I re- 

 commend their destruction on every occasion. I would go 

 even further, and advis<; local clubs to offer a bounty for 

 each head of hawk or owl delivered to them. This would 

 incite the market hunter and the " pot hunter" to join in the 

 work ol extinguishing these most destructive enemies of our 

 game birds. 



There are many who think that the open season for quail 

 shooting is too circumscribed by the present Jaw, that De- 

 cember should be added to October and November. But for 

 the fact that the pastwinterwas unusually severe upon quails, 

 and that thousands of them perished, an attempt would have 

 been made to have the law amended in that respect at the 

 last session of the Legislature. Under the circumstances, 

 however, it was hoped that through the shortness of the open 

 season and strict obedience to the law the birds would be 

 spared and would multiply and replenish their decimated 

 ranks and furnish better sport in the future. 



If the loss has fallen less heavily upon quails 

 than has been reported and they shall continue 

 10 increase as in the past it may be well to ask the 

 Legislature of 18N3 to extend the open season so as to include 

 the month of December. 



The reports of the secretary and treasurer show that by 

 economical management the annua) dues from members of 

 the association are sufficient to meet all ordinary expendi- 

 tures, and but for the expense of publishing the game laws, 

 and the still greater expeuse of the bench show, the associa- 

 tion would have a balance on hand sufficient' to commence 

 another year's wotk. However, these expenses have not been 

 in vain, and their lessons do not go unheeded. The bench 

 shows have not only taught many of us what good dogs are, 



but we have learned tr 

 The field trial, while, 

 own members, was r 

 several things, the mfj 

 was that we have a 

 practical purpi 



appfeciate a good dog and to own one. 

 owing to the slight attendance of our 

 "1 :i mi. '.'ess, nevertheless, taught us 

 3t satisfactory and important of which 

 great many dogs in Nebraska that for 

 good as any sportsman can wish, 



and even better than some foreign dogs exhibited 

 On that occasion. I am satisfied that many of 

 our sportsmen who have good dogs, failed to at- 

 tend, for the reason that they feared to run their dogs 

 against the " crack" dogs of the country, anticipating a de- 

 feat that would have been ignominious ; "but now that they 

 have witnessed the actions of the best in the field will be 

 willing to pit their own against any that may come. For that 

 purpose and to stimulate these trials, I recommend that, a 

 field trial be had the coming season on prairie chickens in 

 August, and not to be deferred until the birds get old, wild 

 and scarce. Such a trial, if open to the world and properly 

 advertised, would bring a large number of fine dogs and an 

 interesting time be had. 



Finally, allow me to extend my thanks to the Officers and 

 members of ihe association for their kindness and willingness 

 to aid me in the discnarge of the duties of office, and to re- 

 turn my thanks for the honor yon conferred upon me in this 

 connection. J. 0. MoBkiuk, President. 



After reading of the President's message, on motion the 

 President appointed a committee o"f five to agree upon a 

 place for holding the next annual meeting of the association 

 and report, to-morrow evening. 



J. F. McCartney, of Omaha, declined to serve as one of 

 the judges at the bench show, whereupon Mr. .1. S. Mc- 

 Clary, of Norfolk, was appointed in Mr. McCartney's place. 

 Upon request of Mr. P, E. Brown he was also relieved from 

 a similar duty and Mr. Dew, of Brownville, Neb., was ap- 

 pointed in his stead. On motion, the meeting adjourned un- 

 til to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock. 



Lincoln, Moy 18, 1881.— Meeting called to order by Vice- 

 President Mattliewsoii, in the absence of the President. The 

 to] lowing business was transacted '. 



The reports of ihe officers and committees being in order, 

 they were severally received and placed on file. The treas- 

 urer's report showed a small balance of money on baud. The 

 secretary's report contained sundry bills, etc., unpaid. The 

 same were audited, and ordered to be paid. 



The committee appointed at the last annual meeting to 

 present resolutions on the death of Maj. T. T. Thnrnlmrgli, 

 reporled appropriate preamble and resolutions expressive of 

 the sterling character of I lie. deceased, the good fellowship 

 lie maintained wiih this association, and the loss sustained by 

 his sad and unexpected death. The report and n I itioni 

 were adopted and were ordered to be spread at large upon 

 the records of the association. 



The committee appointed to fix the place for holding Hie 

 next annual meeting reporled in favor of Omaha, and their 

 report was adopted. 



Election of Officers.- The election of officers for the ensuing 

 year being in order, the following gentlemen were duly 

 elected :— 



President, B. E. B. Kennedy, of Omaha ; Treasurer, R. 

 W. Furnace,, of Brownville; Secretary, J. F. McCartney, of 

 Omaha; Vice-Presidents. J. S. McClary, of Norfolk; J. W. 

 P.tf.y, of Omaha; Josiah Rogers; Edward Ludcr, of Omaha; 

 J. U. Hurley, of Lincoln; L. A. Eillzer, of Oscaolu; W. II. 

 Hackney, of Brownville; Gen. K. R. Livingston, of Pktfcs- 

 mouth; C. E. Strassberger, Lincoln; W", L. May, Ol Fremont 

 E, S. Hawley, of Nebraska City. On mo!ion,"Sai,i M. Chap- 

 man, of Plattsmuufh, was elected a member of the executive 

 committee. On motion, il was unanimously voted loholda 

 field trial of dogs on prairie chicken the lust week in A .u- 

 or first week in September next at; or near Norfolk - , The 

 executive committee was given tu« matter in Charge, and in- 

 structed to advertise the same in Eastern papers. 



Mr. Chapman submitted ihe report ot the judges of the 

 bench show containing list of awards. Adoptul. Resolu- 

 tions of thanks to the outgoing officers were severally 

 adopted. 



Gen. Livingston, Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Ilarley made re- 

 port of last year's field trials with severe though merited 

 criticism upon the lack of attention given to the matter by 

 Nebraska sportsmen, at'ribuling the same to cowardice, etc. 



On motion, the president appointed John W, Petty, W. 

 H. S. Hughes aud C. P. Malthewson a committee to report 

 resolutions at uext meeting respecting the death of G. H. 

 Collins, of Omaha. 



On motion, the convention adjourned sine die. 



THE LONDON SOCIETY. 



AT the annual meeting of the Loudon (Ontario) Fish, 

 Game and Insectivorous Birds Protective Society, last 

 week, Dr. Mven in the chair, the secretary, ]). Skirving, 

 presented his report, which was as follows : 



" It is most gratifying to find that now most of the sports- 

 men in and around London take a deep interest in the pro- 

 tection of our fish, game and insectivorous birds, and that 

 each year new members are added to our list of subscribers. 

 The good effects of the society are being felt all over the dis- 

 the number of bead of game obtained in the Lon- 



that mi 

 during 



don district by li 



:aggerating when I s 

 last shooting season tl 

 From information rec 

 consider most trust worthy, I c, 

 tered well in this locality 

 of January and February, 

 more birds than ever if "tl 



I attest. I think I am not 

 ,-e game birds were found 

 ny three seasons previous, 

 various sources, which I 

 state that quail have win- 

 ot withstanding the severe frost 

 d I think next fall we will have 

 dywell looked after Ihe 



connng summer. I regret that the Legislature at its last 

 session, at the solicitation of the fruit-growers, amended the 

 Insectivorous Birds Act, and placed robins on the list of 

 birds that may be shot. Still, they did it in a very gentle 

 The Act reads; 'Robins may be destroy! rl during the 

 season by the owners of fruit, bearing trees or plunls.' 

 I wish to impress upon the society tba- an; oni caught 

 shooting robins at any other time is liable to he Sned as 1 >;- 

 merly. If the Legislature had seen fit to place meadow 

 larks on the game list, making an open season from the 1st 



of September to the 1st of January, we 



served praise. We, as a society, have asked this, 



not been granted. Possibly, when the scientists, 



now experimenting on them, give a description of 



tents of their stomachs, they may then be placed < 



of birds suitable for food. During the past year 



infringements of the law have been reported. The 



ill both cases, I am happy to wiy, were fined five dollars each 



and costs. I am satisfied that if the farmers would only re- 



add think they de- 

 t it has 



oilei 



port all violations of the law coming under their notice it; 

 would have a very marked effect, and nor, only would the 

 pot-hunter become extinct, but, the game birds would rapidly 

 increase in numbers. We have issued during the year about 

 500 large posters with the close season for flsh and game, and 

 the fines and penalties attached for the violation of them. I 

 would suggest, when getting out the new bill s for this year. we. 

 in addition, offer a reward for the head of each fox, skunk, 

 weasel and hawk killed, or a prize to any one producing the 

 greatest number of heads ; as, undoubtedly, they destroy as 

 much, if not more, game than all the shooters put together. 

 The fishing interests are being well and closely watched by 

 the energO.ic fishery officer, Mr. Peter Mc.Oann. Within the 

 past lev, weeks he has had some eight or ten persons up for 

 catching bass out, of season, and the maj, >ritv of them have 

 been fined $3 each and costs. Air McOann reports the ftsh- 

 Ways on the Thames to be in good order, with the exception 

 of Black Mars' dam, which will be remedied this spring. 

 Last year we had some correspondence with the Fishery De- 

 partment at Ottawa relative to the close season for bass* sug- 

 gesting that it be changed to, say, from 15th May to the end 

 of June, as we consider that to be. the time during which the 

 fish spawn, but we were usable to get Mr. Witeher to change, 

 the time, which at present is from 15th April to 15th 

 May. Some of the Chatham fishermen, last session, also 

 tried to get the law changed, but were likewise unsuccessful. 

 This is to be regretted, as during the latter part of May and 

 beginning of June bass are quite unfit, for food. The fish in 

 the river this year are very plentiful, and already great quan- 

 tities have been caught — below Cashmere— one family alone 

 netting $300. Last year several enterprising gentlemen 

 leased a well-knowu trout stream in the neighborhood, and 

 replenished it with trout at considerable expense, with very 

 gratifying results, and this year other two streams are being 

 leased for a similar purpose. If the shooters would show as 

 much energy, and get the. farmers as a body to assist, them 

 in protecting game, in a few years we would have the ben 

 fishing and shooting grounds iu the Dominion." 



For the destruction of vermin, hawks, owls, skunks, foxes, 

 etc., it was decided to offer $50 to the person who killed 

 three hundred and over : second prize, $25, for two hundred 

 and fifty ; third prize, $15, for two himdred. The persons 

 competing for the above prizes must give satisfactory proof 

 to E. Raymond & Son, furriers, of having killed thebirdsor 

 animals. Mr. Meredith brought up the question of prohib- 

 iting the destruction of trout under a certain size. He 

 thought if anglers were allowed indiscriminately to take out 

 trout of all weights and sizes the streams iu Western Ontario 

 WOUld soon lie depleted. 



The el. ction of officers was proceeded with, resulting as 

 follows: Presideut, Dr. Niveri: Vice-Presidents, Dr. Wood- 

 ruff and W. 0. !, Grill; Sec.-Treas., 1). Skirving ; Executive 

 Committee -T. H. Hmallman, Harry Bruce, S. C, Elliott, 

 W. T. Strong, J. Pnddicombe, A. JVtcCrae aud L McDon- 

 ald. 



■«. 



CAME IN INDIANA. 



Indiaxai'omb, May 9, 1881. 



SNIPE, with us, have come and gone agaiu. We had 

 very little fit weather for snipe-shooting this spring, the 

 atmosphere jumping from cold, up to and during the mid- 

 dle of April, to an uncomfortable warmth from the first week 

 of May to the present liuao. Snipe and plover were rather 

 plentiful for a short time, though. A company of four 

 hunters are reported to have killed 1 Id plover in a single day 

 on the flats west of Ihe city, across White Itiver. Your cor- 

 respondent hail the pleasure of bagging thirteen snipe and 

 >-.'- ii plovei in a morning's hunt east of town. In company 

 with a couple of friends, I am going down to Martinsville, 

 "'-".- ; ui the lgthor 30th of this month, and spend a 

 couple of days among the squirrels, which are reported as 

 quite plent'lui this spring. Should we have any luck i! will 

 lie a pleasure to give the readers of Foeest Ann Htrkam an 

 account of the ups and downs of a squirrel hunt iu Hoosier- 

 dom. 



During the recent session of our State Legislature a bill 

 was introduced into the House prohibiting quail-shooting for 

 t ivo years. It passed the House, but was not brought up in 

 the Senate. We are, therefore, to be governed by the old 

 law, which allows quail-shooting during" the moutlis of No- 

 vember and December of each year. There are no partridges 

 in this section, at. least not enough to pay for hunting them, 

 although they are found iu considerable numbers in the 

 northern part of the State, as are also prairie chickens. 



The woodcock season opens here the first of July. The 

 law od this point is very good, but by that time the weather 

 is generally so intensely hot as to melt the ardor of the mo; t 

 enthusiastic sportsman, and but few care to indulge. Fir 

 myself, when I have a spare day in midsummer, I prefer to 

 seek the shady banks of White River, and there, wity pipe 

 and rod, while the hours away. Silas. 



WISCONSIN NOTES. 



Menomonie, Wis. , Slav 23. 



NOTWITHSTANDING the dreariness of last winter, 

 considerable sport was enjoyed by hunters and far- 

 mers in this vicinity; a large number of deer were billed 

 during the season, wiih an occasional bear to make it, inter- 

 esting. All winter a destructive war was waged on the wild 

 animals hereabout. From November to March Dunn county 

 paid $471 bounty on scalps. There were killed thirty wolves, 

 one hundred and twelve foxes and thirty-seven wild cats. 

 Most of ihem were killed with poison. 



A curious circumstance connected with the above-men- 

 tioned business happened. One Borland was putting out 

 poisoued baits when he discovered three wolves in the bushes; 

 lie threw his baits and retreated a few rods, when one of the 

 wolves advanced, ate, died; and in fifteen minutes was being 

 dragged home by Borland. 



The prospect of a plentiful supply or prairie chicken this 

 season is flattering ; but few were killed last season owing, 

 in part, to their advanced age and consequent wildness at 

 the opening of the season. Reports from farmers are to the 

 effect that chickens are numerous, and appear to be attend- 

 ing strictly to business ; nests with a score of eggs in each 

 have been found. 



Our Legislature last winter made few changes in the game 

 laws. It is now- unlawful to kill woodcock between the first 

 day of January and the tenth day of July; quail, partridge, 

 prairie chicken or grouse of any kind, or any wood-duek, 

 mallard or teal duck between the first day of January and 

 the fifteenth day of August ; any deer between the first day 

 of January aud the fifteenth day of September; or any otter, 

 mink, muskrat or fisher between the first day of .May and the 

 first day of November. Mo. 



