!, 1883.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



387 



probably owing to the fact that I have always been consid- 

 ered a J opal) on a deer bunt. 



One. dav last winter two sportsmen, belonging to a MCW 

 Orleans club, bagged 330 duels:, in Lake Bisteneau. west of 

 here, most of them being single allots. \ou will perceive 

 that there is abundant material about here to excite the lively 

 interest Of sportsmen. The completion of Ihe railroad from 

 here to Shrevepurt, which will be accomplished early next 

 winter, will open up an extensive game country, heretolorc 

 Inaccessible to outsiders, Ouachita. 



Mosbob, La., J utn-7. 



THE SLAUGHTER OF THE. INNOCENTS. 

 rpHE subject of protecting our small birds is. we are glad 

 J. to see', occupying each year a larger share of the pub- 

 lic attention. A. correspondent sends ns the following clip- 

 ping, taken from uu Easthaniptou (Mass.) paper, which 

 expresses the views of every right-minded man upon the 

 subject : 



"Bird sbootins should cease. Every man who owns a gun 

 should not be allowed to destroy the songsters under the 

 thin pretense of its being for scientific purposes. It is too 

 BHBy to get a permit, and they often fall into the bands of 

 men who have as little, idea of science as they have respect 

 for the lives of the feathered beauties. A man who takes 

 sufficient interest in natural history to be allowed to shoot 

 birds for scientific purposes will hive too greut a love and 

 rsY3r?n.ve far them b kill r.cnimon vsrictiis :r. Listing time. 

 The Legislator* has mad* stringent laws to protect the birds, 

 but it has left a loop-hole which, by the leniency of the per- 

 mit- Tan ting powers (the presidents of colleges and incorpo- 

 rated natural history societies), has undone Ihe whole busi- 

 ness. If a local party has found the. law standing in the 

 way of his pleasure, all that has been necessary was to write 

 to '.President Seelvc of Amherst College, anil a permit to 

 shoot birds has been immediately forthcoming. Such a 

 ise ought not to be granted unless the applicant is a 

 known scientist, or until he shows recommendations suffi- 

 cient, to satisf v the granting power that he is a safe pen-son 

 to give such liberty. It is a matter ol importance that we 

 should protect our birds, and public sentiment' should be 

 aroused to such an extent that bird shooting in nesting time 

 for any purpose would not be tolerated, and that it would 

 be properly restricted at all seasons." 



Our correspondent says: The above from our local paper 

 is particularly interesting to a tew sportsmen here, who, 

 with some friends at Northampton, are endeavoring to stock 

 this section with quail obtained from Tennessee. To look 

 from an office window and see one of those nincompoops 

 going past, with a gun on his shoulder and a permit in his 

 pocket, and feel that be is as likely to shoot the quail, which 

 we have been to so much trouble and expense to obtain, as 

 be is a jay or a crow, is not a particularly pleasant sensa- 

 tion to the writer; but, to repeat the words of the great 

 Tweed. "What are you going to do about it?" Of course, 

 if we could know that they shoot the birds the law pro- 

 tects, we would make it expensive for them, but that is 

 bard evidence to obtain. I hope the Forest ASP STREAM 

 will take up this subject, as it is one that needs looking alter. 



EASTHAMPTON, Mas*., June 8, 1»83. 31. 



A Mlnxesota Growl.- Leroy, Minn.— In your issue of 

 March I'D the poor old market-shooter tells very many more 

 truths than the majority of sportsmen are willing to 'admit. 

 Now, [ am not a' market-shooter, but I do dislike to see 

 those that claim to lie gentlemen and true sportsmen make 

 such hogs of themselves by slaughtering the game the mo- 

 ment the law is off that one cannot find a bird toward the 

 latter part of the season. 1 do not believe in doctoring our 

 laws all the time and not living up to them. One year ago 

 Minnesota extended the close season time of pinnated grouse 

 from August 15 to September 1, and what did we gain by 

 it? Nothing. By the last week of July every man and boy 

 that could procure a gun, even to the law-makers themselves, 

 was out in quest of snipe. Each one bad agreed not to give 

 the other away. Now, let me ask where the fun comes in to 

 the sportsman that quietly wails until the law is off and 

 then goes out to find the game all killed, or what little is left 

 so wild, that be cannot get within rifle range of it. Such is 

 the general complaint all over the southern part of our State. 

 I now learn that the season opens August 15, which will 

 give universal satisfaction. Our legislators have also short- 

 ened the open season for deer, which, in my humble opinion. 

 is all wrong, for it will work practically the same as our 

 chicken law did. I maintain that our laws, as they stood, 

 were good enough, if I hey could be properly enforced, ami 

 if not. enforced, of what use are any of them? I was talking 

 with a friend from Chicago county a few days ago, and 

 learned that the natives shoot deer' whenever found, from 

 August 1 till the last of winter. — Sharp Eye. 



Were Tuf.v Huffed Grouse?— I am 75-J years old, 

 commenced shooting when 7A, and have, hunted and shot 

 every year since. About thirty-six years ago 1 killed my 

 first 'bird on the wing and Was SO dated I was willing to 

 give up my rifle for a "scatter gun," and since then have 

 ■'slain my thousands." and have hunted with some of the 

 best wuig-diots whore ruffed grouse (or partridge) were 

 plenty ami scarce. 1 once knew of fifteen being bagged in 

 a day. never more, and 1 think six or seven 'he most I have 

 ever'known killed •'consecutively." I wish to ask 8. L, 

 Wilson. Shelby. Linn county, Missouri, if he is correct in 

 his statement i'n your paper of May 81, 1883. Were not his 

 ruffed grouse pinnated grouse, of which he says be had 

 often killed fourteen and sixteen consecutively, and nad 

 bagged thirty-two in a day, and once nineteen without miss- 

 ing'a shot?— Levi Stoqvjes (North Bloornfield, O. ). 



Left-haxded SHOOTING. — In reply to "Snapshot's" in- 

 quiry in Forest akd Stre.oi of May 31, 1 think a solution 

 to the phenomenon may be found in the supposition that 

 when shooting from the right shoulder with both eyes open, 

 we insensibly use the right eye more than the left, and years 

 of practice confirm the habit, so that, when ,vc shift to the 

 left shoulder, although our left eye is over the rib. we are 

 really looking at the. "object with the right eye. which is out 

 of liiie. and hence the aberration complained of.— R. K. B. 



Minnesota. — Leroy. May 7. — Game notes are scarce, but 

 1 learn that pinnated grouse have wintered nicely. Quail 

 and pheasants (ruffed grouse) have, 1 fear, many of them 

 succumbed to the deep snows and cold weather. Still, we 

 hear the familiar drum quite often, and know that they are 

 not all gone. Ducks have been very plentiful this spring 

 and in very good condition. — Sharp Eye. 



Thke-Clijihini. Foxes. — The common foxes of California 

 nvariably ascend trees if pursued. If chased by dogs they 

 diinb the first tree they approach, and are frequently seen 

 .n trees when undisturbed. Have known them to take to 

 fall pines and ascend for thirty feet before reaching a limb. 

 —Esau (Shasta, Gal., May 315. 



New Jersey.— Toms River. June 7.— Quail arc very plen- 

 tiful here at present. While out walking recently 1 saw 

 eight pair within an hour, and found a nest with 'thirteen 

 eggs in it. But as there is a good supply of hawks, they 

 will be taken care of. — T. 



Quaiij Prospects.— New Harmony, Ind., June 0. — The 

 woods and meadows of Southern Indiana are alive with 

 quail this season, and we aim to make the pot-hunter quail 

 too. — A. D. (Secretary, Rod and Gun Club). 



Pennsylvania.— Waynesburgh, June 9. — Quail are 

 rather plenty, and if the weather for nesting is at. all favora- 

 ble, we look for good fall shooting. — Ramulek. 



Philadelphia Notes.— June 7.— The flight of shore 

 birds, robin, snipe, bullhead plover, dowitchers and calico- 

 backs, which arrived on our New Jersey coast during the 

 past week, immediately preceded, as was expected" the 

 present "warm spell." Let it be noticed each season— these 

 later migratory waders always pop in upon us just in' ad- 

 vance of a real touch of summer weather. How much 

 better would it be, if they are to be killed and eaten at all, 

 to have them pass on to their nesting "rounds unmolested in 

 the spring and shot on their return in August, when there 

 are more, young birds iu the flocks, and they would he cer- 

 tainly a more palatable dish if one can abide them in any 

 Condition, which the writer confesses he cannot. It. is so 

 With the brant on the same coast. Autumn fowl decoy 

 better and make finer sport. Woodcock have hatched plenti- 

 fully in the swampy marsh bordering the New Jersey creeks 

 which flow into the Delaware River," and broods have been 

 . seen two thirds grown. Some have been already killed ; two 

 pair by ;i farmer's sou, who "shoots .straight,'" knows the 

 law, but says, "As the birds were bred on his place; they are 

 his at any season."— Homo. 



$m and t^wer Jfis//w#. 



To insure prompt attention, communications should be ad- 

 dressed to the Forest and Stream Fid'.ov, ,■,,.., i ■,, ,.,,; ,,,,.,; ;,, 

 individuals, in whose, absence from the office matters of im- 

 portance are liable, to delay. 



A \(: UXG RESORTS— We shall be glad to have for publi- 

 cation notes of good fishing localities. Will not onr corre- 

 spondents favor us mth notes of desirable points for aw/ling 



THE NATIONAL ROD AND REEL 

 ASSOCIATION. 



A MEETING of the National Rod and Reel Association 

 was held in the Metropolitan Hotel. New York, on 

 the evening of Wednesday, June 6, at (i P. M., President 

 Endicott in the chair. The secretary read the minutes of 

 last meeting, which were approved. Letters of regret at 

 not being able to attend were read from Messrs. W. C. Harris, 

 Hon. James Geddes, and James L. Vallotton. 

 Mr. James Benkard was made chairman of the committee 

 coming tournament, but the other 

 electee! by the president had been 



of arrangements for tl 

 names which had beer 

 temporarily mislaid. 



Mr. Mather stated 

 Benkard that the mem 

 Club Of Long Island 



that he had been informed by Mr. 



hers of the South Side. Sportsman's 



vould renew their very liberal offer of 



prizes amounting to one hundred dollars in' cash this year, 



and be thought, that rules governing the tournament should 



lie thoroughly revised in the light of last year's experience. 



Mr. Endicott favored drawing the lines between amateurs 



and professionals very closely. It 



that last year the amateur class had 



led with the manufacture of 



ied off by tbem. Ma 

 t with rods to cast, but 

 :" bad 



bad I 



the tournamen 



ing that "trai 



the rules these 



ever, can and 



the makers of 



as prizes go to 



as they hoped. 



by the trade should go t 



ail who handle fishing tackl 



lie 



tad been complained 



Jen filled bv persons 



Is, anil thai the prizes 



y gentlemen came to 



were deterred by find- 



ired, and that "under 



could not be debarred. This, how- 



rranged differently this year. En en 



ected to having rods given by them 



Iters insteadof the amateur anglers, 



uld recommend that all prizes given 



class, from which 



ness should bo de- 



that the Park Commissioners would have no objections, as 

 the Chief of Police had given such a favorable report of the 

 conduct of the audience at the last, meeting. 



Mr. Mather hoped thai the platform would be lower than 

 hist year. The eli vation ol three feet above the wafer bad 

 been severely criticised in England, and had been made use 

 of to account for the extraordinary length of Ihe casts. He 

 did not believe that it had much to do with the cast, hut it 

 would be well to remove all chance for ea^ il 



Air. Endicott thought that six inches or a foot above the 

 water would be sufficient, but as he hud said before, these 

 matters would all be left to the committee. 



"With a vote of thanks to Mr. Henry Clair, proprietor of 

 the Metropolitan Hotel the meeting adjourned. Several 

 new members afterward joined. 



To Wash a Snipe ! ! !— San Francisco. May 31.— In your 

 issue of May 24, "Scaipe Scaipe" spoke of washing snipe. 

 Can you conceive of doing anything to that delicious bird 

 that, would more effectually spoil its flavor? Wipe it, 

 "Scaipe." wipe it. Wash a snipe! Awful!!— Quod. 



Indiana. — Hanover. June 7. — The prospects for a good 

 quail crop are excellent, the birds having wintered splend'idly. 

 KabbitB, squirrels and quail are our principal game. Any 

 one coming here after October Xfi could have fine quail shoot- 

 ing and also some woodcock shooting. — F, .1. B. 



barred. At the same lime he favored the giving of liberal 

 cash prizes to the "professional class," as we could not 

 afford to pass them by without having their presence. The 

 extreme length of fine cast by these gentlemen was an 

 attraction and showed what could be done by practice. 



Mr. Benkard said that the tournament would not be a 

 success unless the amateurs thoroughly understood that 

 their classes were strictly for themselves, and that they 

 were not expected to compete with those who by constant 

 practice in testing rods had attained an excellence that oidi- 

 nary fishing does not give. 



Mr. Mitchell inquired if such rules would apply to the 

 bass easting, or if there would lie changes or modifications. 



The president answered that he thought the same rules 

 should apply, although last year the amateurs in bass cast- 

 ing beat the professionals, but that all this would be left to 

 the committee, 



Mr. Van Brunt asked if the tournament would be held in 

 the same place ? 



Mr. Endicott thought not. There was a prospect of get- 

 ting a lake lower down than Harlem Mere, and he thought 



BASS SLAYERS. 



Editor For, si and Stream: 



I clipped the following from the Mail of May 39. The 

 Mo a is a daily paper published in Toronto. Canada, 



••Messrs. W. 0. Matthews, H. W. Nelson, Townsoud. 

 Budge Ilwighf. and J. Kilgour returned on Saturday from 

 a trip north after black bass. The party bad a phenomenal 

 success, taking 52ft bass iu two days' Ashing, the bass aver- 

 aging aboul two pounds. The best, lish weighed live pounds 

 one ounce." 



The above gentlemen are. I presume, •'sportsmen," but 

 wherein lies the sport slaughtering so many bass in so short 

 a time? It is far beyond my ken. If the publication of 

 their wholesale destruction is intended as a beacon to ealV 

 others to the north of Toronto, where such innocents may 

 be caught on theii spawning beds, then the work of the fish 

 and game protective clubs has been in vain. Our close 

 season for bass does not suit, every year :u Canada; this 

 year especially, and iu the district referred to, the Brat 

 Muskoka District, the season is exceptionally late, as it is 

 here, where our close season does not reach far enough into 

 the summer. We leave to every true sportsman his own 

 conscientiousness as to whether he should defeat the, object 

 of our clubs by a. wilful destruction of fish iu a season 

 when, had they but thought, the fish could nOl yefrluVye 

 spawned, and the exl inordinary catch referred to no doubt 

 can be explained for I fiat reason. 



We have good fishing iu many parts of Canada, ami it has 

 improved greatly since the protective clubs have educated 

 the people up "to the proper seasons for killing. We hud 

 hoped to have heard better reports from Toronto, and wc 

 are fain to believe Ihe practice general. 



Bass and mascalouge are only beginning to take in this sec- 

 tion. Mur trout ing is exceptionally late this year, and par- 

 ties for our lakes back of here tire only preparing; When 

 some of their catches are reported I will drop you a line. 

 Nobtu Woods. 



Montreal, June 1, 18S3. 



RANGELEY LAKE. 



(• 4'TMIE ice went out on the sixteenth." Cur good friend 

 X Page, of the Elmwood, at Philbps, sent us a, tele- 

 gram, of which the above is a copy. We marshalled our 

 forces and on the morning of tin' 16th left Bosion iu a 

 special Pullman oar by the'Eastcrn Railroad, n jolly party 

 of fourteen, and with minds and bodies somewhat, wearied 

 by the whirl of active business, we sought all the comfort, 

 rest and recreation which the angler always enjoys in his 

 allotted space of ten days among these beautiful' Rangeley 

 Lakes, surrounded by these grand old mountains and bord- 

 ered by Ihe primeval forests. The thought that for a few 

 days you may dream ouly of your poor wives and children 

 enjoying themselves so at home while you are having such 

 hard work in the wilderness is rather depressing, but you 

 brace up with the determination that this time the largest 

 trout of the trip shall drop gracefully into your lauding net, 

 and your guide shall capture first money of the pool. 



Ail goes well to Portland, where the baggage is shifted to 

 the Maine Central Railroad. This carefully watched process 

 over, our good caterer, R.. calls all hands 'to lunch. 



Farmington is duly reached, Iheiice by the tinv two-foot 

 gauge up the beautiful Sandy River. Old Blue Mountain 

 rears his majestic head and the train rolls up to the depot, 

 where, greeted by lads and lassies, we leave our baby engine 

 and the -obliging officers of the road. Page is. there with a 

 four-in-hand, and in a jiffy we land al the Elmwood. 



The next morning wc- divide our party in three portions 

 of six and two fours and make the drive to Esly's. Here 

 wc walked down the carry to the inlet, where the Molly 

 Chunkamunk wails, to take us (o the Mountain View, our 

 headquarters for the I rip at the lower end of the lake. Each 

 one of our party had secured the best, .guide in the whole 

 region and we were happy. 



With song and story we glide over the charming lake, and 

 are duly greeted by Kimball, of the Mountain View. He is 

 flanked by his neighbor. Cal Pennock. 



The nt'xt morning opens finely; rods are a-peak, reels 

 examined: leaders, swills, sinkers and hooks are adjusted. 

 One. two. three, up to twelve, boats start out. 



■Alan proposes, God disposes"; and at the close of the day 

 we return all weary, some elated with their catch and others 

 depressed. 



'•Fisherman's luck." 



"W r e came a week too early." 



"Water is too cold." 



•'] told you so." 



"Host a five-pounder; had him alongside; tore out; just, 

 my luck; always lose a five-pounder — never landed one yet." 



'With varying fortunes we visited from day lo day the 

 "Eddy," the quick water below the 1 dam, the Cupsaptuc, and 

 tin- "big lake. ' A portion go down with Fred Parker and 

 pass the night at his cheery camp at Bemis. The sunset 

 view from bis camp is a thing of beauty. 



To sum up our experience: The largest trout cauidit was 

 7:1 lbs., second 5^, third 5±, fourth -I f. fifth 3& with sizes 

 ranging from three down to one pound by the score. Small- 

 est catch by any boat any day. when not actually while- 

 washed, one. Largest catch, any boat, thiity-tive. ' In fact 

 we all caught all we should. 



Now we are packed, baggage and fish, ready and willing 

 to "go out." Strong mentally and physically, ready lo do 

 battle with the outside world, and meeting others coming 

 in as eager as we were ten days ago, to be pleased or dis- 

 appointed as wc severally may have been, and with thesame 

 old stories to tell. 



And so year by year we go and return, stronger and bet- 

 ter for our communion with nature. Reader go thou and 

 do likewise, i i >1oose. 



Tuxgeley lake, May 29, 



