FOREST AND STREAM. 



123 



the country should be so generally ignorant of this most 

 isatisfactory and attractive method of capturing this splen- 

 did fish. We would advise them to make the experiment 

 •at .once, before the season closes, and thereby experience 

 (©me of the most exhilerating delights of the angle. Use a 

 flarge gaudy fly. A mixture of scarlet and white is usual- 

 ly the most killing. By-the-way, we remember well the 

 first black bass wo ever saw caught. It was in Big- 

 Lake, a few miles from St. Anthony, in Minnesota. The 

 fisherman had a huge watling, fresh cut, a heavy line, and 

 half a frog for bait. He waded out through the lily-pads 

 until he could throw clear of them, and then brought down 

 Ms frog with a splash that made the spray fly. Neverthe- 

 less he hooked a large fish almost immediately, and then, 

 with a jerk, threw him over his head up on the bank high 

 and dry, with such force that he was effectually stunned 

 and stiffened forever. 



— Here is a suggestion from a correspondent, which is 

 worthy of consideration. We are not aware that any effort 

 {has been made in this country or Canada to stock rivers 

 with the sea trout : — 



Much attention has been paid of late to the enterprise of stocking our 

 rivers and lakes with new species of fish, and of restocking them with 

 those which have become exhausted, but I do not remember that the sea 

 trout (salmo canadensis) has been included in the number. I see no rea- 

 son, however, why all our rivers, from Eastport to New York, should not 

 he supplied with this delicious fish, at least all those which are suitable 

 for salmon. The same conditions are required— pure, rapid, well setated 

 water. Like the true salmon, the salmo canadensis lives in the ocean, 

 .seeking the head waters of rivers in the summer for spawning grounds. 

 On its way up, like the salmcn, it rests in the pools, and there takes the 

 fly. Besides this, it frequents the river mouths in June in great schools. 

 affording the finest sport to the fly fisher. In game qualities it is equal 

 to the brook trout, which it surpasses in size, and, as I think, in flavor. 

 The average size of the sea trout is about the same as that of the black 

 bass, that is, from one to two pounds, and specimens of both species 

 sometimes reach the weight of six pounds; but as food the trout is infi- 

 nitely superior. In fact, it comes next in rank to the salmon as a table 

 fish. S. C. Clarke. 



GAME IN SEASON FOR OCTOBER. 



af-oose, Alces Malckis.) Caribou, Tarandm Rmgifer.) 



Elk or Wapiti, dermis Canadensis.) Red Deer, Cancus \ irgii nanus.) 



Rabbits, common Brown and Grey.) Squirrels, Red Black and Gray. ) 



Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo.) Quail, Optyx Virgm-mna.) 



Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola.) Pinnated Grouse, Tetrao Cupn.lo.) 



Ruffed Grouse. Tetrao umbellw,) Curlew, Nwmeuws A rquala.) 



Esquimaux Curled Nummius bo- Sandpipers, Tringiace.) 



realis ) Willets, 



Plover, (jharadraius.) Reed or Rice Birds, Doliciionyx oriz- 

 Godwit, Limosince.) iwn. 



Rails, Ball-us Virginianus.) ^ 



{Under the head of "Game, and Fish in Season" toe can only specif)/ in 

 general terms the several varieties, because the laws or States vary so -much 

 'that were -we to attempt to particularize we could, do no less than pubhsii 

 those entire sections that relate to the lands or yam m question. 1MB 

 would require a great amount of our space. In aesigna tug game we are 

 guided by the laws of nature, upon which ad ha,*; < <y <■< founded, mid 

 our readers would do well to provide themselves with tte laws of their re- 

 spective States for constant reference. Otherwise, our attempts to assist mem 

 will only create confusion.] 



—The glorious month of October, with its equable temper- 

 ature, its bracing air, and its absence from annoying insects 

 and noxious reptiles; with its gorgeous autumnal hues, its 

 dreamy atmospheric effects, and the maturing of all things 

 organic to their fullest perfection, belongs especially to the 

 sportsman. It is his heritage. It has been dedicated, ap- 

 propriated, devoted and set apart to the children of Nim- 

 rod; and everything that is beautiful and enchanting in na- 

 ture invites them to go up and possess the land. The 

 weather is not too cold for camping out; the crisp air has 

 dried and spread out over the earth its covering of leaves, 

 which makes a luxurious couch for even such tenderlings 

 as the "Babes in the Woods." The thin smoke from the 

 camp fires rolls upward in spires of intensest blue; the for- 

 ests are open and captivating to the eye by their subdued, 

 though brilliant garniture ; the sun is golden, though not 

 intense; and the' very birds and animals one meets seem 

 magnetized by some potent agency to tarry in these realms 

 of doles far wienie until the blustering winds compel them 

 to scurry away to the South, or bestow themselves to 

 closer cover in their native woods. In this wonderful 

 month all the furred and feathered tribes are in full condi- 

 tion for the bag and table, and clad in the most splendid at- 

 tire, inviting admiration by their beauty, and tantalizing 

 the palate by their rich juices and luscious flavors. A 

 casual glance at the game list, which we print at the head 

 of this column, will indicate how lavishly nature has pro- 

 vided for man, where man's civilization has not utterly de- 

 stroyed and rejected these gifts. 



October is, all things considered, the best month for 

 "calling" wild turkeys, although some sportsmen prefer 

 the spring;. Now, as 'ail the devices which man employs 

 to allure and ensnare tli e victims he pursues are but imita- 

 tions of what nature has given her creatures for specific 

 purposes, it becomes us to inquire and understand the 

 character of these peculiarities and learn why they are be- 

 stowed; and by our investigations to determine the periods 

 when game is in season. For instance, the call of the tur- 

 key may be either the warning note of the mother to her 

 collective brood, as in the autumn, or the invitation and 

 response of the wooing, as In the spring. At the latter 

 Season, all birds are full grown, and the yearlings are m 

 their prime. In October the flocks have not yet scattered; 

 the young turkeys, though large and strong of wing, are not 

 fully grown, and the family circle remains unbroken. In 

 both eases, it is apparent, the birds are noble and legitimate 

 game. A turkey-call is easily imitated by using the hollow 

 bone of the leg or wing of the same, or even by the hollow 

 of the two hands placed together; but these devices can 

 only be learned bv careful attention and practice. The 

 early morning is the best time of day for calling, as indeed 

 it is for all manner of hunting. 



There are various modes of capturing the wild turkey, 

 which we shall allude to from time to time, giving by-and- 

 by much attention to the turkey hunting of Florida, which 

 is in perfection during the winter months. Will not some 

 of our friends out West send some account of wild turkey 

 hunting for the delectation and information of such of our 

 Eastern friends as have never seen the sheen of a 24-pound 

 gobbler's glittering bronze? 



Around Winchester, Va., accessible from the Baltimore 

 and Ohio Railroad, turkeys are abundant; so also in La- 

 ciyde county, Missouri, ten miles from railroad; and in 

 northern Michigan, which, by the way, is a section which 

 our Eastern sportsmen seem to know nothing about; and 

 yet it is a primitive wilderness which even the lumbermen 

 have not thoroughly traversed. 



— Wild fowl of various kinds, especially woodcock and 

 blue-winged teal, are in our market' in considerable quanti- 

 ties. October woodcock are in their prime — this year's 

 birds full grown and fat, the cover somewhat thinned of 

 leaves, and the heat of the sun not overpowering as in July 

 and August. 



— John Penwarden and a companion, while hunting 

 grouse near Bear Swamp, in Wayne county, Pa., north of 

 Milford, were attacked by a large panther which came out 

 of the swamp. They wounded it, and were obliged to flee 

 for their lives. The animal followed them a long distance. 

 This is the first panther that has been known to infest the 

 woods of that section for many years. 



— They have had amusement on the Tobique river, New 

 Brunswick, hunting a Rocky Mountain elk, which escaped 

 from Barnaul's menagerie a few days ago. It was several 

 hours before he was discovered, and then it required a force 

 of twenty men to return him to his old quarters. The 

 brute weighed 1,100 pounds. In securing him a Dr. Dris- 

 cow received severe injuries. 



— A large moose, sporting an immense pair of antlers, 

 was run into last week, near Methot's Mills, by a Grand 

 Trunk Railway train, and so severely injured that he was 

 shortly afterwards captured. The day previous three 

 moose were seen in the neighborhood. 



— The "Colorado Sportman's Club "has been inaugura- 

 ted at Denver for the sole purpose of importing quail into 

 the Territory for breeding purposes, a most laudable move- 

 ment, The following gentlemen are its present officers : C 

 Gove, President; James Thompson. Secretary; Hyatt Hus- 

 sey, Treasurer. 



— The range of the quail on this continent is greater than 

 than that of any other game bird. 



— For exploits in the field and valuable local information, 

 we can refer our readers with much satisfaction to our vo- 

 luminous correspondence, printed elsewhere. 



— In Connecticut the National Guard are taking up rifle 

 shooting in good earnest, and have ranges at Meriden and 

 West Haven. It will not be long when ranges will be es- 

 tablished in the proximity of every large city in the Union. 



Toronto, September lyth, 1873. 

 Editor. Forest and Stream:— 



1 beg leave to in form yon that the city of Toronto can boast of three 

 distinct shooting clubs. The first, is "The Toronto Gun Club, " exclu- 

 sively for the shooting with breech-loading guns, the: officers of which 

 are:— James Ross, M. I)., President; Dr. J. W. Elliott, Vice President; 

 Alexander McGregor, Esq., Secretary and Treasurer. 



The second club is the "Junior Gun Club," the officers of which are:- - 

 W. H. Coen, President; John James, Vice President; J. W. Deacon. 

 Secretary and Treasurer. 



The third is a split or a branch from the Toronto Gun Club, being 

 formed by some dissatisfied members of the first-named club. The fol- 

 lowing are the officers:— Dr. J. W. Elliott, President: B. Moore, Esq.. 

 Vice President; Alfred W. Smith, Esq., Secrerary and Treasurer. It 

 will be called the "Carleton Gun Club.'' 



The annual match of the Toronto Gun Club comes off on Wednesday, 

 October 1st, the result of which I will try and send to you. T. G. C. 



— Preparations for the coming contest on October 8th are 

 evident at Creedmoor. A new target— 1,000 yards dis- 

 tance — has been erected, the storehouse has been moved 

 some GOO yards, so that there is no necessity now for pass- 

 ers to get in the line of fire. The want of water is being- 

 looked after, and a well is now being dug. When all the 

 plans of the pains-taking committee are effected there will 

 be fully twenty targets, and in some cases sunken pits for 

 markers will be substituted for raised butts. Raised butts 

 are always more or less objectionable, as, no matter what 

 precautions are taken, lead will spatter at times, and acci- 

 dents will occur. Quite lately a marker lost some teeth by 

 a fragment of lead from a bullet describing some eccentric 

 course and striking him. One objection to raised butts by 

 riflemen is, that in certain conditions of the atmosphere, 

 and when the sun is at a particular elevation, the targets 

 become as if covered with a shade. Some preparations are 

 also being made for the entertainment of visitors at the 

 Range. We cannot recommend too much caution on the 

 part of members, teams, or detachments. Danger signals 

 should be carefully watched, and marksmen should be par- 

 ticularly warned -never to lire -until the lad shot is -marked. 

 The violation of this simple rule may result in the death of 

 the marker. Without being desirous of being over sug- 

 gestive, it might be wise if the committee would have 

 some movable signs made, to be stuck up in any part of the 

 field where men are practising, with the single instruction 

 last mentioned inscribed on them in large letters. An 

 ounce of caution is worth a pound of cure. The entries 

 for the various matches to commence on Wednesday, Oc- 

 tober 8th, are quite numerous, and we believe the competi- 

 tion for the Judd and Sportsman's prizes will be. quite an 

 interesting one. Every ODe entering for any of the matches 

 must be provided with a ticket, which will be exchanged 

 for a registered ticket on the ground. If practicable, the 

 exact time when the several matches will take place will be 

 published by the Forest and Stream. The third regular 



match for the "Turf, Field and Farm" Badge took place 

 on Saturday, the 27th ult. The badge had been won twice 

 by Captain Bodine, and once by Captain Wingate. There 

 were forty-seven entries, and Mr. J. T. B. Collins, with a 

 score of sixteen, carried off the badge. The shooting was 

 not up to the general average. We give some of the lead- 

 ing scores. Distance, 200 yards; five shots; any kind of 



rifle; trigger to draw not under six pounds: — 



& ° * Total 



Name. Arm. Score. 



J. T. B. Collins Remington Sporting 16 



A.Anderson Winchester...- 10 



Captain Wingate Ballard Sporting 15 



N . Engel . . /. Remington Military 15 



E. It. Madison Remington Sporting 15 



George W . Wright Ballard 15 



General MeserOle Maynard 15 



A . S . Fowle Sharps 15 



Thomas Lloyd Ballard Sporting 14 



Lieutenant Colonel Gildersleeve Remington Sporting 14 



Leon Backer Remington Military. 14 



Colonel Carr Remington Sporting '. . 14 



L . C . Bruce Ballard Sporting 13 



1 ; iciiard Hickman Springfield 13 



General Thomas S. Dakin : . Remington Military 13 



J . E. McEwen Ballard' Sporting '. ..13 



George Crouch Ballard Sporting 13 



W. M . Clarke Remington Sporting 13 



J. P . M . Richards Sharpe Sporting > 



S . J. Kelly, Jr Maynard Sporting 13 



iienrv Fulton Maynard Sporting 13 



Alexander Pyle Remington Sporting 13 



A . Alford Remington Sporting 13 



W. G. Yale Sharpe Sporting 12 



J. M . Allen Remington Military 12 



J. IS. Price Remington Military 11 



1 ) . Cameron Remington Sporting ^ 



Alexander Robertson Remington Sporting 10 



William Robertson Remington Sporting 10 



T. D. Mather Remington Military 10 



P. S. Gardiner Remington Military 10 



J . B. Pish Allen Sporting 10 



— On Monday last, September 29th, a squad of men at- 

 tached to the Ninth Regiment tried their skill, shooting at 

 200 and 500 yards, and made very fair shooting. Some 

 trials were made at 1,000 yards, and quite good scores Were 

 made. 



— The first annual shooting match of the Denver Schut- 

 zen-verein came off last Sunday, September 28th, winding 

 up in the evening with a bal eha.rnvelrc Between fifty and 

 sixty prizes were'a warded. Mr. Borchardt is the Schutzen 

 master and Mr. Jochamus the secretary of the Association. 



Clearing Choked Gun Nipples. — The following plan 

 for clearing a choked-up gun nipple is familiar to duck 

 hunters on the Chesapeake, where we have frequently seen 

 it used with success. We copy it from Land and Water, 

 where it seems to be novel to English readers. In fact, 

 there is something so paradoxical about it that it may be 

 new to some of our readers: — 



"In these days of breech-loading, perhaps very few peo- 

 ple possess nippies to get choked up, but those who do, 

 and especially those who may go alter large gamein for- 

 eign countries, may find the following plan for cleaning 

 one useful. After pouring as much powder as possible 

 down the cavity, and finding after trial that the gun still 

 refuses to go off, cut a little stick or twig — a match will 

 do if you have one — and, paring it to the right size with 

 your knife, fit it into the nipple, forcing it down on the 

 top of the fresh powder as far as it will go. Cut it off level 

 with the top, put on the cap, and see if it will not make 

 the gun go off. I never found it fail. The first time I had it 

 done to my own gun was when I was in despair at losing two 

 magnificent chances at elephant, close shots, at both of 

 which my gun had missed fire. My idea was that my com- 

 panion was finally locking up the nipple for good and all, 

 but I let him do as he liked, as there was no other remedy 

 nearer than a nipple wrench in camp, then about fifteen 

 miles off. I was agreeably surprised when the gun did go 

 off, and have repeated the operation, when necessary, with 

 the same success ever since. 



im#B. 



Cricket. — The match between the St. George's of New 

 York and the Merion club of Philadelphia, we regret to 

 say, did not come off. The St. George's were fully pre- 

 pared; the difficulty was that the Philadelphians could 

 not' through some unforseen accident bring together their 

 eleven. If the match had been played it would have 

 been undoubtedly a well contested one. A match between 

 the St. George's and the Germantowns of Philadelphia is 

 on the tapis. 



—The ninth game of base ball of the championship 

 series between the Bostons and Mutuals took place at Bos- 

 ton, Mass., on September 27th. Bostons scoring fifteen to 

 the Mutuals four. 



—To day the Mutuals play the Athletics, and on Sat- 

 urday the Mutuals will play the Philadelphias, the games 

 to be played on the Union grounds. 



—The fall games of the Athletic club take place on Sat- 

 urday, October 4th. The grounds are at the foot of 130th 

 street, Harlem. Pleasant and exciting contests will doubt- 

 less give zest to amateur athletic pastimes in the country. 



— The. Princeton college nine defeated the Irvingtons on 

 September 27th. 



—The Prospect Park Club of Brooklyn, keep vigorously 

 working away every Saturday, at their pleasant ground, in 

 Prospect Park. To-morrow, Friday, there will be a his- 

 trionic contest between the actors of the various Brooklyn 

 theatres. 



— A local paper states that " five members of the Water- 

 bury (Conn.) base-ball club of nine have died of consump- 

 tion. " 



— In Galloway large crags are met with having ancient 

 writings on them. One on the farm of Knockleby has cut 

 deep on the upper side, ' ' Lift me up and I'll tell you more. ' ' 

 A number of people gathered to this crag, and succeeded in 

 lifting it up in hopes of being^well repaid; but, instead of 

 finding any gold, they found written on it, "Lay me down 

 as I was before." 



