FOREST AND STREAM 
219 
GAME PROTECTION. 
Trapping Pinnated Gbouse.— Wo had haltered our¬ 
selves that the wholesale trapping of pinnated grouse, 
(prairie chickens), which has been going on so uninterrupt¬ 
edly for years past, had this year received a check, for 
which we had to thank either stricter legislation or an 
unusual season, probably the latter. Certain it is that 
‘‘chickens'’ have never before been so scarce and high in 
price. In previous years, towards the close of the season, 
the birds have retailed for half a dollar a pair, hut this 
year the 1st of March saw them at the same figures as had 
prevailed throughout the winter, via.: one dollar and a 
half a pair. It was generally supposed this was not owing 
to any scarcity of birds, but to the fact that the mild sea¬ 
son and light falls of snow had enabled the grouse to find 
Shelter and an abundance of food without placing them¬ 
selves within the reach of the lures of the netter and 
trapper. The following letter from a Canadian correspond¬ 
ent would, however, indicate that both our arguments and 
aspiraLions weie at fault, and that .the netted birds have 
been finding a market other than our own:— 
Newcastle, Canada, April 29th, 1876. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
Cannot something be done to prevent the total extermination of pin¬ 
nated gronec now going on in the western States? At Toronto, yester¬ 
day, April 28th, I saw from 60 to 75 brace of birds exposod tor sale; they 
had. all been trapped; were fresh, and! should say had uot been killed 
more than three days. On inquiry the dealers told me that they were 
jnst in from Chicago, and were shipped to them by a man named Booth, 
from whom they lmd received game weekly for some time. I have 
written to the Chicago field, and trust by that means to call the atten¬ 
tion of the local game association to the matter, bat I think it should be 
brought before the Protective Association for the tfuited States so that 
sufficient influence can he brought to bear to get the game laws in the 
prairie States so amended as to give power lo detectives to open pack¬ 
ages iu the hands of express companies when suspected to contain game 
killed illegally; and also to make such companies liable for a penalty 
when game is found iu their onssesBion. This would at. once pet a stop 
to the pot huuters trade. I am advised that 35th Victoria Chap. 38, 
Sections 2 and 4 of the Statutes of Ontario would apply to pinnated 
grouse. If so, lliu dealers here will be made an example of, as I have 
called the attention of the Toronto Came Protective Society to the 
Walter. John J. Hobson. 
The remedy, as far as" Canada is concerned, lies with 
Canadian sportsmen. We, on our side, are doing all in our 
power, and it is not improbable that the scarcity in our 
markets the past season was owing to a wholesome dread 
on the part of the pot hunters of the penalties of the law. 
It is' simply absurd to have game birds like pinnated grouse 
selling in the markets at half the price of dung-hill fowls. 
A fact indicative in itself of lawlessness and poaching, and 
still more so'of the certain extermination ahead. 
—The New York Association for the Protection of 
Game held its closing meeting of the season on Monday 
night at the residence of Royal Phelps, Esq., a large num¬ 
ber of members being present. It was a meeting of more 
than ordinary interest and importance, as was shown by 
the correspondence laid by the Secretary before the asso¬ 
ciation, between Senator Kennaday and Assemblyman 
■Sherman, relating 1» the amendments to the Game laws 
introduced in the Legislature, from which it appeared that 
while the association were under the impression that mea¬ 
sures were being enacted for the protection of fish and 
game, they discovered, iu the closing hours of the session, 
that, an amendment had been introduced in the Assembly 
in the interests of the law-breaking marketmen which was 
-exceedingly objectionable, and would be fatal to all the 
other amendments introduced by the Association, and 
destroy the efficiency of their body. 
The President said that when this objectionable amend¬ 
ment—section 6—startled them into prompt action, he had 
written to Mr. Shearman, Chairman of the Committee, pro¬ 
testing against its passage, and informing him that did 
suclt a measure pass the New York Association would he 
compelled to dissolve, as the marketmen could violate the 
law at pleasure, and he able to protect themselves from 
punishment of any kind. He was able to state, fortunately, 
that this amendment had not passed, nor had the amend¬ 
ments introduced by the association, so that the game laws 
remained just as they were last year, with the exception of 
a very valuable amendment introduced by Senator St. 
John, amending sections 3, 6 and 9 of chapter 831 of the 
laws of 1871, which has passed both houses of the Legisla¬ 
ture, and was now before the Governor for his signature. 
On motion of Col. WagstafE, the association approved 
the amendment, and passed a resolution requesting the 
Governor to sign it. 
Senator Kennaday, who was present, detailed the efforts 
made by the Senate and Assembly Committees on Amend¬ 
ments to the Game Laws to pass the amendments intro¬ 
duced by the association. Owing, however, to the delay 
incurred in the Assembly by the addition of various 
amendments, when the bill reached the Senate there was 
not a sufficient time before the close of the session to give 
the amendments that consideration which so important a 
measure demanded. 
A vote of thanks was passed to Senator Kennaday for 
the zealous efforts on behalf of the association at Albany, 
and a committee was appointed to represent the association 
at the State Sportsmen’s Convention at Geneseo on the 28d 
inst. 
The usual communications were read in the early part 
of the evening, including one from Seth Green, calling at¬ 
tention to the increase in quantity and decrease in price of 
North River shad. 
The President, in closing the session of 1875-6, reviewed 
the labors of the association during the session, and that 
they might well congratulate themselves on the results ac¬ 
complished, and their effect on other sportsmen in every 
State and Territory of the Union. 
The meeting then adjourned to the supper room, whore 
a banquet-to commemorate the close of the season had been 
prepared by .J. W. Phelps. 
Note.—I t will be seen by the second clanse above I hat tlie game law 
of the State has not been changed, nor willit be unless the amendment 
of Senator St. John should receive the Governor’s approval" 
The New York State Sportsmans Association. —The 
annual meeting of this Association has now been definitely 
fixed to commence Monday tho 22d inst. The first day 
will be devoted to business, and the 23d, 34tli, 25th and 
20th to pigeon sliooliug, etc. 12,000 birds have been pro¬ 
cured for the occasion, trapped in Michigan and delivered 
at Geneseo for $1.75 per dozen live count. A Bench Show 
of dogs will also be held at the same time, particulars of 
which will be found in our kennel column. The Livingston 
Sportsmans Club, under whose auspices the shooting will 
he conducted, have elected the following officers for the 
ensuing year, President, M. K. Scott; Vice-President, Dr. 
E. G. Chase; Secretary, G. D. Mercer; Treasurer, E. N. 
Shepard. W. A. Stevens, M. L. Eorsyth, L. W. Crossett, 
J. W. Clement and T. P. Olmstead were elected as Execu¬ 
tive Committee. E. N. Shepard, H. L. Arnold, A. W. 
Butterway, Einance Committee. Delegates to attend tho 
State Convention, W. W. Bishop, Geo. W. Barney, Jr., 
R. A. Kneeland, Willard and W. A. Stevens. 
—The Geneseo Club have elected the following delegates 
to the State Convention, John Rorbacli, W. T. Howard, 
George Williams, M. H. Rector, Lewis Daton. 
—At a recent meeting of the Onondaga County Sports¬ 
men’s Club the following gentlemen were elected delegates 
to the State Convention: Hon. F. E. Carroll, S. W. Sher¬ 
lock, George W. Gray, John Bedford, and W. S. Barnum. 
The following are the alternates: Thomas E. Townsend, 
Thomas Kimber, .Tr., W. Stalbaum, R. B. Strong and 
Thomas Brazel. 
New Jersey. —An association has -been formed in 
Newark lo bo known as the Essex Association for the Pro¬ 
tection and Propagation of Game. The officers are: Presi¬ 
dent, Dr. Pindell; Vice-President, Mr. J. Belcher; Secretary, 
Mr. Wm. Hayes; Treasurer, Mr. J. Poinier; Executive 
Committee, Messrs. A. I*. Baldwin, Wm. Koecht, T. 
Osborne, Dr. A. W. B. Crane and W. Williams with the 
foregoing officers. 
West Jersey Game Protective Society. —This society 
met at Camden, N. J., last week, President Walker, of 
Vineland, in the chair. 
Secretary Miller reported a balance of $700 on hand. 
Mr. Emlen, for the committee on laws, lead a bill now 
before the legislature making October 1st the end of the 
close season tor pheasants and quail. 
Mr. Richards, of the committee to propagate game birds 
and fish, reported that, owing to the open season, they were 
not able to procure as many birds as were ordered. Those 
received wete distributed lo those who did not get any last 
year. Thirty-five thousand salmon eggs had been placed 
in various streams and hatched with encouraging success. 
Mr. Richards staled that it is believed that the streams of 
South Jersey are suited to the growth of the salmon. He 
also reported that the black bass placed in the creeks by 
the society are doing well. 
Mr. Pierce said that the creeks between Camden and 
Woodbury were lined with nets, and that Mr. Howell, the 
fish commissioner, intended to prosecute the offenders. 
Attention was called to the practice of gathering birds' 
eggs, and Mr. Price, of Allantic County, said that egg 
gathering was followed as a business aloDg the shore, and 
that it is not known to he unlawful by the people. 
The President read the law which inflicts a penalty' of 
$11) for robbing birds’ nests, except they be predatory 
birds, 
The committee on prosecutions were instructed to prose¬ 
cute those violating the law. 
The committee on propagation was instructed to use not 
more than $500 for ttie stocking of streams with game 
fish. 
After the transaction of other business the meeting ad¬ 
journed. 
Pennsylvania. —A correspondent writes us from Pitts¬ 
burg that the Sportsmen’s Association of Western Pennsyl¬ 
vania is in very successful operation, numbering over 200 
members, with more constantly applying for admission. 
He writes:— 
“Oar markets and commission booses contained no game or flab oat ol 
season daring the past year, with one or two exceptions, which were 
properly attended to, and in the future there will probably be Uttle or no 
trouble In this respect here. These Violations were always of a flagrant 
character heretbfore in Pittsburgh. The association has recently re¬ 
moved to their present spacious and elegant quarters on Fifth avenuo, 
where a large and rapidly-increasing number of handsome specimens, 
brought to bag by the members, adorn and instruct, 
A handsome specimen of the swan, (Vygnm americanva), shot jnst 
below Pittsburg, has been mounted and presented to the association, 
rare pnly in the fact of his stopping near this busy haunt of civilisation 
aud manufacture, and as he was a great stranger and alone, he was, as a 
matter of hospitality, taken in and cured for- 
What’s the matter with our Ohio friends that they want to make a close 
season for quail till December, I8i7? the birds are plentiful in that State, 
and ample protection could be given them bymakingashort open season, 
say from 1st to 31st December of each year. Let ns hear from our 
friends over the border about tbe object and necessity for the law. 
Sooth Fork. 
Connecticut. —A few years ago a severe flood which 
visited certain sections of this State, quite cleaned out the 
already depleted waters of their fish. This, and the grow¬ 
ing scarcity of game resulted in the formation of The 
Salisbury Bird and Fish Protective Society. Regarding 
their operations, a correspondent writing from Lakeville, 
Oonn.j says:— 
"Such a thing as a prosecution for violation of the game laws had never 
been known here, and boluo of the citizens rather scouted tbe idea of 
our accomplishing any good, but after one or two violators or the law 
paid a good fair price for their amusement people began to think that 
there was really something in it. And we are now recrultiog our ranks 
from good substantial citizens who are not personally fond of sport ing 
but whp are ‘glad, to have the little birds protected.’ ” \Y, II, W. 
Ohio. —The latest amendments to tho gtitne laws of this 
State make a close season for quail and prairie chickens 
until November 15th, 1877, and after that date from January 
1st until November 1st for quail; from January t5ih until 
November 1st lor wild turkeys; from January 1st until 
September 1st for ruffed grouse and teal; from April 1st 
until September 1st for mallard, wood, and other varieties 
'of duck, and from January 1st until July 4th for woodcock. 
The trespass law which promised to bo so obnoxious was 
not passed, at least not with the objectionable features. 
As passed it reads almost exactly as does the law of tiiis 
Stalo, requiring land owners to post I,heir lands, or give the 
intruder notice lo leave before a trespass can be committed. 
In fact, it goes further, and requires that the boundaries 
shall be clearly defined by the setting of stakes or by 
making ditches. 
Nova Scotia. —A correspondent writes us as fol¬ 
lows:— 
I regret that an effort made at the last meeting of the 
Council of the Game Society of N. S- to prohibit all shoot¬ 
ing (hut duck and leal) till Sept. 15th, and then begin at 
partridge (ruffled grouse, T. umbeUatm), cock and snipe 
simultaneously fell through—the majority dreading to open 
a door to any legjfcitive change until the close lime for 
moose (U. akes) iiaa expired. 
As to this noble animal,, which has been much favored 
by an almost snowless winter, he is again becoming more 
plentiful. During a caribou hunt this winter of some 
duration, I could have certainly shot 20, aud in one day's 
weary walk of a 36 miles’ loop from and back to camp, I 
entered six yards, and must liavo gone round many more. 
Obituary. —It is with keen regret that we record the 
death, at Paris, last week, of Mr. Benj. F. Bowles, of 
Springfield, Mass. To the general public, Mr. Bowles was 
perhaps belter known through his connection with the 
Springfield Republican, of which he was part proprietor, 
and for a long lime business manager. But to sportsmen 
lie was known far and wide as a lover of field sports. Mr. 
Bowles was a prominent member of the Rod and Ghh 
Club, of Springfield, aud also of the American Fish Cul- 
Lurists’ Association, of which he was treasurer. In practi¬ 
cal fish culture he took much interest, aud his letters, pub¬ 
lished in the annual reports of the society, arc both valuable 
aud instruetive. Mr. Bowles visited Europe last fall with 
his family, contemplating an extensive tour, embracing 
the Nile, etc. His letters to this paper over the signature 
of “Druid,” written from Algiers as the “Ramblings of a 
Sportsman,” will be remembered by our readers as exceed¬ 
ingly interesting contributions to sporting literature. Mr. 
Bowles was a contributor to Forest and Stream almost 
from its start, and labored constantly to promote its suc¬ 
cess. lie was forty-two years of age. He died of Roman 
fever: 
—The season for deer shooting may be supposed to end 
in Florida, when tbe closing of the hotelB ceases to pro¬ 
vide a market for the venison. This is about May 1st. 
The St. Augustine Hotel alone keeps four hunters con¬ 
stantly employed, and that caravansary having now closed' 
its doors, the occupation of the professional Nimrods is 
gone, and they have accordingly emerged from the bush. 
The deer will now have a rest until fall; yet very many 
does, heavy with fawn, have been destroyed, and the waste 
must have an appreciable effect to diminish the supply of 
this game should the slaughter continue uninterruptedly in 
this manner. The hunters referred 1.o report having killed 
about twelve deer per week for the last four months—or, 
say, 200 head. Their favorite hunting ground is at Beulah, 
fifty miles south of St. Augustine. Now, as there are at 
least a dozen hotels in the State that may he deemed first 
class, besides a score of minor ones, the number of deer 
killed during the winter for their use, cannot be much less 
Ilian 2,400. The number killed by sportsmon and residents 
for private use can only be estimated. 
—Our constant friend “Guyon,” of Corinth, Mississippi, 
has sent us three beards of wild turkeys, shot by himself 
and Mr. John N. Duncan, which are more than patriarchal 
in their length and general aspect. One of them measures 
10J- inches in length, and, as the sender says, probably 
belonged to a gobbler of the Mormon persuasion, so that 
we can now safely swear “by the Beard of the prophet,” 
in due oriental form. The other was evidently sported 
by a young galopavo of the Beau Brnmwel order, as it is 
cutled and cirred at the end. To outwit one of these old 
hoys who wears a beard in this style, is certainly an achieve¬ 
ment. of which a sportsman may well be proud. Human 
intelligence and skill opposed to animal cunning, and the 
animal cunning usually comes out ahead. 
Our Journal in Canada— Benj. Smith, Esq., member 
of council of the Nova Scotia Game Protective Society, 
says of Forest and Stream : — 
“Your paper has become eo great a favorite among Canadian sportsmen 
as to be a sine qua non 
Samuel Wilmot, Esq., Superintendent of the Dominion 
Fish Works, at Newcastle, Canada, in sending an official 
communication to Forest and Stream, remarks:— 
“As your paper is becoming so widely distributed, it is thfe hest medium 
by which any information of this kind can he disseminated. 1 ’ 
—From observations taken at New Smyrna, Florida, by 
Maj. George G. Alden, we find that the mean mid-day (2 
P. M.) temperature was 80’, Lowest temperature during 
the month, 55°; highest, 86°. 
—-»•*-- 
—There were cut on Crown Timber Lands of New 
Brunswick, Canada, last year, woods of all kinds equival¬ 
ent to about one hundred and ten million feet. This sea¬ 
son the yield will probably be one hundred million feet. 
