FOREST AND STREAM. 



147 



REMARKS. 



It is quite worthy of mention, showing the care that had 

 been taken by the officers of the xissociation, that not a 

 single accident occured, and there was scarcely any of that 

 confusion incidental to a first match. If words 

 of praise are by no means out of place in regard 

 to the conduct of the officers, who had many new 

 points raised for their decision, incidental to the 

 opening match, the conduct of the men is also to be ap- 

 plauded. We did not notice a single case of intoxication, 

 nor the least indication of gambling. Some parties were 

 on the grounds early intent on starting! "pools," but such 

 requests were promptly denied and squelched on the spot. 



Perhaps it would be better next year at the grand national 

 contest to make the time in September. Then the davs are 

 longer, and the shooting may be continued for fully nine 

 hours. But very possibly the managers were right in mak- 

 ing the match come off at as late a time as possible, in order 

 to give the men the fullest opportunity for practice. It 

 would be wise too to separate in the future all the military 

 contests from those of a more general character, as likely 

 to avoid confusion. Another suggestion we would make, 

 since we want our matches to be as thorough as possible, 

 is that all the meteorological conditions of the day be deter- 

 mined accurately, such as barometrical and theometrical 

 measurements, direction of wind, and the miles in an hour 

 the wind is blowing. From data of this character greater 

 accuracy in shooting must follow. 



sharpshooters' match. 



The sharpshooters, match is one only to be attempted by 

 experts, as at distances over 600 yards, the utmost nicety 

 and skill is required, which can only be obtained by long 

 practice. Members of the Association have practiced but 

 little at long range shooting, and though all the shooting 

 done in this match by our own men was very good, doubt- 

 less next year, when they have devoted more time to it, 

 they will show improvement. Mr. Adam's score, 48, an 

 average of 3 1-7, (25 at 800 yards, and 23 at 1,000,) in a pos- 

 sible 56, for such a long range is very good shooting. Mr. 

 Adam, of the Canada volunteers, has already shown his 

 skill in England and Scotland, and is one among the many 

 good Canadian marksmen. We cannot but congratulate 

 Mr. Adam in his victory, and the modesty with which he 

 carried off his well-earned prize. In fact all the Canadians, 

 (there were three winners out of the nine contestants for the 

 sharpshooters' match,) acquitted themselves with credit. 

 Mr. Ormand's score of 26, at 800 yards, five bull's eyes and 

 three centres, is magnificent shooting, better even than his 

 shooting in 1871 at Wimbledon for the Rolapore challenge 

 cup, though he only made 13 at 1,000 yards. In these long 

 ranges, the additional 200 yards makes a vast difference. 

 Mr. A. J. Roux, of the Twenty-second Regiment N. G. , N. 

 Y., score 41, (21 at 800, and 20 at l,0003 r ards.) is also" deserv- 

 ing of most honorable mention, winning as he did the 

 second prize. Mr. Adam shot with a Rigby. Both the 

 Rigby and Metford are muzzle-loading rifles, excellent guns, 

 are loaded with great accuracy, and are furnished with the 

 most carefully adjusted double sights. The least disturb- 

 ances of the wind are corrected by means of sliding sights. 

 On the whole, the shooting at long range was excellent, and 

 exceeded our expectations. Possibly the beauty of the day. 

 the absence of sun-glare, and there being scarcely a breath 

 of wind, added materially to score-making. We are more 

 than pleased that a brother rifleman from Canada carried 

 off the prize. It will cause a proper amount of emulation, 

 and incite our own men to practice. In this match a very 

 magnificent pipe, presented by Mr. Kaldenberg, came in 

 among the prizes, though not printed in the catalogue of 

 prizes. Mr. Adam was offered his choice of a medal or 

 pipe, and selected the medal. Mr. Roux, having the choice 

 then as second prize of the pipe or silver medal, took the 

 pipe. Mr. Ormand then received the third prize, the medal. 



QUESTIONS OF ARMS. 



The great use of rifle range is that it must demonstrate 

 whether an arm is good or not. Skill may have a great 

 deal to do with the merit of a high score, but as the 

 weapons used come into the hands of not only experts, 

 but of second and third class shots the use of Creedmoor 

 or any other range must determine the average excellence 

 of any gun. The Remington rifle has been fully tested 

 and has "been found to be excellent, not only as a military 

 but as a sporting rifle. In many of the matches, as may 

 be seen on examining the scores, the Remington has held 

 its own with the most delicately adjusted arms. Rifles 

 like the Rigby and Metford have most carefully adjusted 

 sights, were allowances all made for effects of wind blowing 

 across the line of tire, &c. The use of all such adjustments 

 are perfectly in order, aud should bo encouraged in every 

 way. If a rifle as was remarked by Punch in speaking of 

 the complicated arrangements of the Wimbledon expert, 

 "had a steam engine at one end and a windmill at another," 

 so much the better, if in a range of a thousand yards, the 

 marksman can improve his score a single figure. There is 

 not then the least doubt that when the Remington rifles 

 have adjusted to them these finer sights, that they will not' 

 only shoot quiet as well, but possibly out-shoot either the 

 Rigby or Metford. In comparing it as a military arm 

 with the arms used by either the English, French or German, 

 we must declare that it is to be superior as to accuracy. 

 Its penetration was also remarkable, shown by a shot 

 passing through three feet of solid packed dirt, perfora- 

 ting a thick block of wood, and then falling spent with its 

 shape still almost perfect. Subsequent general matches 

 yet to come may bring in prominence some other rifle, 

 when the Forest and Stream will be the first to assert its 



claims, but for the present, for all work, we are inclined to 

 think that with a steady hand, and clear sight, whether the 

 marksman be a soldier or a sportsman, the Remington has 

 clearly proved itself the best arm of to-day. The Sharp 

 rifle, especially in the press match, showed its excellence, 

 and is a weapon of great merit. In judging of all rifle con- 

 tests, our readers not familiar witli the subject, should al- 

 ways bear in mind that a windy day always effects the 

 shooting. In concluding our remarks on the first Ameri- 

 can rifle contest, we believe that the time will come when 

 Creedmoor will be far too small for the concourse of 

 people who will assemble from all parts of the Union, to 

 witness this National pastime. 



«**» 



THE GAME OF COLORADO. 



The game of Colorado consists of buffalo, elk, black 

 and white tailed deer, mountain sheep, antelope, cinnamon, 

 black and grizzly bear, wild turkey, sage hen, blue or 

 mountain grouse, willow or pin tail grouse, ptarmigan or 

 mountain quail, ducks of all kinds, except canvas back, 

 geese and brant, swan, curlew, of several varieties; and in 

 the spring and fall snipe and plover for a few days, as they 

 migrate north and south. We have also a few California 

 and State quail imported for breeding purposes. 



The following fur-bearing animals are numerous: — 

 beaver, otter, mink, martin, weasel; red, gray, black, and 

 silver-grey fox, beside many varieties that are supposed to 

 be a cross of the different distinct species; also, a very 

 small animal of the fox kind, known here as the swift, the 

 large grey and white timber wolf, white and grej r coj^ote 

 and black prairie wolf, panther or California lion, lynx, 

 wolvereen, catamount and wildcat, badger, skunk, ground 

 hog or woodchuck, and other minor species. 



The finer fur-bearing animals, such asl beaver, otter, 

 mink, martin, etc., are all taken in pole, hole, and steel 

 traps. The wolf, fox, and kindred animals are often poi- 

 soned with strychnine, but traps of many descriptions are 

 sometimetPemployed, and many aninials are shot. 



Thousands of acres of forest are yearly destroyed by 

 accidental fires, and thousands more are stripped for lum- 

 ber and wood, but the forests being all in the mountain re- 

 gions, where the land is of little or no use for other pur- 

 poses, is allowed to grow up to timber again, so that no 

 estimate of any correctness can be made of its increase or 

 diminution. However, there is no scarcity except in the 

 immediate vicinity of settlements. 



Success in either hunting or trapping depends more 

 here than elsewhere upon the experience of the person en- 

 gaged in it, and his knowledge of the country, for the rea- 

 son that game is not generally distributed .throughout the 

 territory, but certain species are confined to certain locali- 

 ties. No stranger need expect much success unless accom- 

 panied by an experienced guide. 



Remarkable bags are often made, but create little re- 

 mark here, as they are mostly made by professional hunters, 

 who prefer the profit to the notoriety that would direct 

 other's attention to their hunting grounds. It is nothing 

 uncommon for two hunters to load a large freight wagon 

 with deer, antelope, or buffalo in a day or two after reach- 

 ing the hunting grounds. Grouse and such game may be 

 killed at the rate of from one to four or five dozen a day to 

 the gun, provided the hunter has the time/ and the patience 

 to hunt up their locality. 



The larger animals are very extensively hunted during 

 the season for both local and foreign markets. It is esti- 

 mated that not less than two hundred thousand buffalo 

 were slaughtered for their hides alone last year,^nd so long 

 as the price of skins make it a profitable business, and the 

 buffalo remain, this waste and destruction will go on. 



Were the game laws of the territory enforced all 

 would be well; but except to keep game out of the mar- 

 ket during the close season, there is no attempt made in 

 that direction. 



The good hunting grounds are so numerous and so 

 widely scattered for the different varieties of game that no 

 very correct idea can be given in such an article except in a 

 general way. Ducks, geese, etc. , may be found very close 

 about Denver. Willow grouse are widely distributed, and 

 may be found in most any direction from town by travel- 

 ling from ten to twenty miles. They are much more diffi- 

 cult to capture, and are a far better bird than the prairie 

 chicken of the States, and are not found in the mountains 

 at all, while the blue or mountain grouse are only found in 

 the' mountains, and are the finest eating bird of the grouse 

 kind, but off er poor sport to any except "pot shooters," 

 they being excessively tame. Ptarmigan are only found 

 very close to the snowy range, and are very good for the 

 table, but might as well be killed with a club as shot. Buf- 

 falo are sometimes found within thirty miles of town, but 

 usually a ride of from fifty to two hundred miles east, 

 either via the Union Pacific or the Kansas Pacific Railroad, 

 will be necessary for any great success. Antelope are often 

 found within ten miles of this place, but are more plenty 

 as you leave civilization behind in either direction. White 

 tail deer are not plenty. They are only occasionally killed 

 along the water courses and in the low hill country some 

 thirty to fifty miles to the east, and seventy from here. Black 

 tail deer confine themselves to the mountainous regions, 

 except when severe storms prevail ; they then come to the 

 foot-hills, where they may be killed in quantities. They 

 afford fine sport, whether in mountain or valley, are very 

 numerous, and are often hunted within twenty miles of 

 town. Bear are distributed throughout the entire moun- 

 tain countiy. Mountain sheep are very seldom killed, ex- 

 cept on the high mountains, and from twenty-five miles dis- 



tant to as far as the Rocky mountains extend. Elk are 

 found most numerous in the Middle and North Forks from 

 seventy to one hundred miles distant, and on the Laramie 

 Plains, and farther west along the line of the Union Pacific 

 Railroad for three or four hundred miles from Cheyenne, 

 especially in the vicinity of Fort Steel, and as far north as 

 the Wind. River mountains and Montana Territory. 



Very few dogs of any breed are owned here. Some point- 

 ers and setters of doubtful blood, and occasionally a grey 

 or stag hound, are kept for running down wounded game ; 

 but no fox hounds are in the country, nor could they be 

 used to any advantage on account of the prickly pear, 

 which would cripple them in an hour's run. 



Hotel accommodations outside of the principal towns 

 are very limited, and in order to make a success of hunting 

 or fishing it is necessary to take with you transportation, 

 subsistence, and bedding. 



In conclusion, if you or any of your friends desire sport, 

 and can stand the fatigue that we all have to endure to find 

 it, come on, and any one familiar with the country will not 

 withhold all information desired, including your obedient 

 servant, H. A. C. 



Denver, Colorado, October, 1873. 



CANVAS-BACK DUCKS IN WISCONSIN. 



Janesville, Wisconsin, September 22d, 1873. 

 Editor op Forest and Stream : — 



Forest and Stream is just the paper we have long 

 needed, as an organ for the sportsman and angler. I am 

 happy to see the vacancy so well filled by your interesting 

 publication, which cannot help but be a success. 



Our shooting hereabouts is principally confined to ducks, 

 and w^e claim to have the best ducking grounds in the 

 Northwest, and the only grounds where the famous can- 

 vas-back is found in any great number. This ground is 

 at Lake Koshkonong, Wisconsin, a body of water about 

 nine miles long, from two to four miles wide, quite shallow 

 and filled with wild celery. The shores are indented by 

 numerous bogs aud sloughs, and lined with a heavj^ 

 growth of wild rice, and here in the spring and fall are 

 found nearly every variety of water -fowl by the million. 

 It has been disputed by Eastern sportsmen that our can- 

 vas-backs are the same as are found in the Chesapeake; 

 but that they are the same is true beyond a doubt, and can 

 be proven to the entire satisfaction of all who will come 

 and see. Teal and mallard shooting begin about Septem- 

 ber first and last until about October. Then comes the 

 canvas-back. Black head, red head, and other northern 

 varieties of ducks, which remain until the lake is closed 

 by ice, and are slaughtered by thousands. Sportsmen in 

 search of ducking grounds would do well to visit Koshko- 

 nong, any time from October 10th to November 15th. The 

 best route is via C. and N. W. Railway, Wisconsin Divi- 

 sion, from Chicago to Fort Atkinson, 111 miles; thence by 

 team three miles south to Mr. H. L. Beemer's, where good 

 accommodations will be found, and necessary information 

 given. Mr. Beemer lives nearest the best shooting grounds 

 on the lake, and all who stop with him will be well taken 

 care of. The fishing is also very fine, and black bass are 

 taken in great numbers. General Phil. Sheridan took in 

 one day last season all his boat could carry, averaging two 

 pounds apiece. Yours truly, Yalentine. 



OLD SUPERSTITIONS. 



LD charms not only effected cures but dealt with every 

 possible relation of life. Thus: "Eat hare if you 

 want to look handsome for nine days after." "Put a hen's 

 heart on your wife's left side while she is asleep, and she'll 

 tell all her secrets. " "Swallow a mole's heart, fresh and 

 palpitating, and you'll at once be expert in divination." 

 "Quartan agues yield not to ordinary medicine; so take of 

 the dust in which a hawk has been rolling, tie it up in a 

 bit of white cloth with a red thread, and wear it; or else 

 knock out the right eye of a live lizard, and wear it wrap- 

 ped in a bit of goat-skin." These are from Pliny, who also 

 teaches that all medicinal herbs should be gathered, pick- 

 pocket fashion, with the right hand poked through the arm- 

 hole of the tunic; you ought to be clad in a white robe, 

 with naked clean-washed feet, and to have just offered an 

 oblation of bread and wine. Worms out of a goat's brain 

 are good for epilepsy; so is a rivet from, a wrecked ship, if 

 you insert in it the bone cut out of a living stag's heart, and 

 then make it into a brooch. If you see a shooting star, 

 count quickly, for you'll be free from inflammation as many 

 years as you can count numbers while the star remains in 

 view. To cure cataract in the eye, catch a fox, cut out his 

 tongue, let him go, dry his tongue, and tie it up in a red 

 rag, and hang round the man's neck. When something has 

 got into your eye, rub it with five fingers of the same side 

 as the eye affected, saying thrice, "Tetunc resouco bregam 

 gresso," and spit thrice. If you would escape stomach- 

 ache, take care that you always put on your left shoe first, 

 and wear on gold-leaf the letters L* M * M R I A, written 

 three times. For toothache, say "Argidam margidam stur- 

 gidam" thrice over, and spit in a frog's mouth^ solemnly 

 desiring him to take toothache. If any one has swallowed 

 a bone, gently touch the mouth with ring-finger and thumb, 

 and say nine times "I kiss the Gorgon's mouth." This is 

 sovereign ; the great Galen himself testifies to the value of 

 charms in such a case. These are from Marcellus Empiri- 

 cus (the Quack, as he well deserves to be called), who flour- 

 ished about 380 A. D. But this, from Albertus Magnus, is 

 the most wonderful of all: Gather in August the herb he- 

 liotropion, wrap it in a bay-leaf with a wolf's tooth, and it 

 will, if placed under the pillow, show a man who has' been 

 robbed where are his goods and who has taken them; also, 

 if placed in a church, it will keep fixed to their places the 

 women present who have broken their marriage vow 

 "This last is most tried and most true."— A U the Year 

 Round. 



