Oct 18, 1883.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



229 



cult m give a reason why such a statute should be enacted' 



Tli«.' object of our game laws is to prevonl the wholesale 



slaughter tjf tlit -game in que State. A. construction, to the 



that any person may kill, destroy or have in posses- 



■ ,i ,i many moose, caribou or deer as' he can kill, destroy 



or obtain possession of by purchase or otherwise, provided 



fee docs not kill, destroy or nave in possession more than one 



e, two crribou or three deer at one time, would afford 



no aid to the proleetion of pur game. The slaughter would 



begin October I, and end the first of January following, each 



SOD careful not lo have more than one moose, twocaribou 



oi' three deer in possession at one time*" 



II comprises several thousand acres of wild rice, borders on 

 Lake Erie, and is owned by ten gentlemen, who value their 

 interests in it very justly at high figures, In fact stock can 

 not be purchased. Duck shooting in earnest ought to com- 

 mence in the next few days. Dki.t\. 



Edit'ir F:, !,;■■.( and Stream: 



In my letter of Aug. 18, 1 spoke of the good prospect for 

 shooting about Tim and Seven ponds. Maine, when the open 

 Season shook! begin. To show von and your myriad of readers 

 H01 misled" by the indications, allow me to give an ex- 

 tract from B letter just received from Tim Pond and written 

 by Mi. Smith: "My son Edgar with Grant Fuller, started 

 from my house this nioi-iiiug — Oct. 8 — walked to Tim pond 

 and back home to-night. " They shot five partridges, four 



■ ■: ami one big caribou, with the largest set of horns 1 

 ever saw, with twelve prongs on each horn and all perfect." 



Really, this -would be a good place to be in these pleasant 



October days, and I should like to occupy one of those nice 



}. occasionally drop a deer or caribou, or may be a 



moose, feast on steaks and the golden, autumn-hued scenery. 



and be nappy. J. AY. T. 



New Hnn-AjN, Oct 19 



A HINT FOR STATE ASSOCIATIONS. 



IT is a great pleasure to listen to an enthusiastic sportsman 

 describe bis latest successful hunt. Such pleasure was ac- 

 corded yom' correspondent a few days since by Mr. .T. P. Don- 

 aldson of Detroit, who has just returned from a six weeks' 

 sojourn in the Yellowstone country. Mr. f). hunted princi- 

 pally on the islands in the Yellowstone River, some forty 

 miles from Glendivc. It seems that as fasi as the lands oil 

 each side of the stream have been taken up as cattle ranges. 

 deer. bear, and other large name have sought refuge upon 

 these islands, many of which are of good size, and abound- 

 ing in excellent 'cover. Cinnamon bear, deer, chickens, 

 geese and ducks are all abundant in the vicinity. In fact, 

 from Mr. D.'s description, it is indeed a hunter's paradise, 

 and now not so very far away. 



1 am very glad to note that the Iron Clad Club of Meno- 

 minee, Mich., are prosecuting some of the lawless deer 

 hunters in that region. The buildeis of a ten-mile brush 

 fence are in the hottest kind of wafer, and ere this, no doubt 

 have been arrested through the efforts of the club named. 

 It's a pitj i bat some of the Roscommon county residents who 

 bave been shining deer all summer cannot also be brought 

 to justice. If the Michigan Sportsmen's Association could 

 secure erne or i wo convictions in Roscommon county, the 

 effort would be telling. If open warfare upon such Mictions 

 is not deemed advisable, then I Suggest that a considerable 

 sum of money be devoted to evangelizing them by means of 

 Forest and Stue.vm. Several hundred copies sent regularly 

 to hUtttera or residents of the worst regions would do more 

 gooil than anything else 1 can think of. Get some of the. 

 mo.-l intelligent hunter.-, and set this to become regular read- 

 ers of this paper, and soon their influence for good would be 

 mighty in their localities. No doubt many Michigan readers 

 of Ki.nu>'! IKU Srwn.VM do not. after reading, preserve the 



i '-. Such subscribers would do a great deal for the 



BHUS6 if How regularly sent their papers to some hunter or 

 resident, in the deer section. 



The writer for a while mailed his paper to a professional 

 hunter, one Who could hardly read, not knowing whether 

 it was appreciated or not, * After several mouths I ceased 

 sending them for some reason, but that hunter to-day is a 

 regular paying subscriber and an effective missionary 'in bis 

 umy for the good cause oi game preservation, Why. the 

 paper is the only thing be reads, and not even an advertise- 

 ment is missed. It is amusing to observe his airs of superi- 

 ority over his companions. He demands to be, and is rhe 

 acknowledged authority of his own region on guns aud rifles, 

 albeit many arms on which he passes judgment are unknown 

 to him. save from advertisements. 



The intiuencc of such a periodical as Fuiiest ami Stukam 

 is nearly inconceivable. Will not the officers of our Slate 

 Sportsmen's Association consider this matter seriously J The 

 writer will cheerfully subscribe with other Michigan sports- 

 men to a fund for the purpose of .sending Forest and 

 STUB am for a year or six mouths to such points in our State 

 as may be selected. Delta. 



"lEiBorr, Oct, s. 



Detroit. Oct. 14— The officers of the Michigan State 

 Sportsman's Association, at a recent meeting in Grand Rap- 

 ids, abolished I he office of game warden, 'it is hoped that, 

 the next Legislature will create such a Slate officer, duly 

 invest him With all necessary authority, and appropriate suf- 

 licitnl money to accomplish effective" results. Mr. Higby, 

 the late warden, or rather missionary of the association, has 

 with his limited means accomplished a deal of good, also 

 has proved thai such an officer, recognized by the common- 

 wealth, could do much toward preserving our game. It has 

 cost the association about $1 .500 per annum to support the 

 warden, the amount having been raised by subscription. 

 Will not the oiiieei's now consider the advisability of attempt- 

 ing evangelization bv means of Foiiest and Stream as 



, . edin my last letter? -'There's millions in it." 



Mi. George Avery, just home from a week's hunt.nearMun- 

 ising. Mich., tells me Hint three dog-shooting deer hunters in 

 that neighborhood killed ten deer" in one night last week, 

 -•shining" them all. Isn't it aggravating lobear of such 

 slaughter? 



Auent deer matters let rne say that a certain Detroit com- 

 mission bouse, also one in Port Huron, Mich., illegally 

 Shipped out of theBtate last season immense quantities of 

 venison. The carcasses from Detroit were packed in dry- 

 goods boxes and went at nigh! b\ express. Tlie express 

 company (who are liable as carriers! has been cautioned this 

 season, while the aforesaid commission house will be care- 

 fully wnt.r bed. 



More liears are being lolled in Michigan than for years; 

 heme from the number seen old hunters predict an open 

 winter. The weftther this last week has not been favorable 

 for duck shooting, only moderate bags having been made. 

 The birds have evidently been waiting the arrival of L. B. 

 Jewell, Esq.. ot" Hartford, Conn., who always man 

 get here at just the right time. Mr. J. arrived to-day and 

 goes ai once lothfi Ponil Moullie MflXSh This marsh is a 

 noted pp serve, atioiii an hour's railroad ride from Detroit. 



Concerning the withdrawal of the Michigan game warden, 

 the Grand Rapids Leader reports: For the past year or more 

 a game warden lias been maintained in this State, whose 

 duties are to act with and direct the efforts of the various 

 local sportsmen's clubs in enforcing the State game laws and 

 preventing the wholesale slaughter of game, fish and animals 

 in and out of season. The expenses of this warden in his 

 travels about tlie country, and his salary ol S3 per dav. have 

 been defrayed by private subscription, 'raised mostly'in De- 

 troit and Grand Rapids, and by the Michigan Sportsmen's 

 Association. An effort Was made last winter to secure the 

 necessary legislation for the appointment of a Stale officer, 

 whose' duty it would he to enforce the State game laws, but 

 it was not 'successful. A few days ago a number of the di- 

 rectors and officers of the State Association met at the office 

 of President Dr. K. S. Holmes in this city, with several of 

 the local sportsmen's clubs, to discuss the advisability of 

 keeping the warden in the held any longer at an' an- 

 nual expense of $1,000 or $1,500. "While it was con- 

 ceded at this meeting that a warden vested with 

 the proper authority would do an immense amount 

 of good to the State by looking after the game, 

 and preventing its wholesale destruction, yet it was 

 thought that as long as this warden was maintained by 

 private parties, the State would be«low to assume any further 

 responsibilities than to pass the laws. Therefore, it was 

 decided to call in the warden and let the ruthless slaughter 

 of deer, for their hides, go on. It is greatly to be regretted 

 that such a course should have been deemed advisable, vet 

 it, is more than could be expected that any private association 

 or persons should bear the expenses of maintaining an officer 

 to enforce the State laws. Legislation is surely needed iu 

 the matter, and doubtless something will be done at the next 

 session of the State Solons at, Lansing. The local sportsmen's 

 club has for the post three years offered H bounty of twenty- 

 live cents per bird for hawks and owls, which ' play havoc 

 among the farmers' poultry and the game birds, 'in 1881, 

 the first year the bounty was offered, ninety-eight bawks 

 were brought in and paid for, the year following, twenty- 

 one, and thus fur this year thirty-three have been cap- 

 tured, During the three' years forty-six owls have been 

 taken. The good work of slaughtering these destructive 

 birds goe's on, and the country boy who desires to make a 

 quarter of a dollar can do so by bringing a hawk or owl to 

 Dr. K. S. Holmes's office on Ottawa street, and receiving the 

 bounty. 



WINTER SPORT IN YUCATAN. 



\T this season of the year, when the duck family tire 

 making their southerly migration, it may be of interest 

 to many sportsmen to know where the birds go. With the 

 widgeon, broadbill, spriglail. spoonbill, blue-winged teal the 

 writer had the pleasure of a re-union during the winter 

 months of 1883 and 1888, and can solve to a certain extent 

 the question of their cold weather habitation. Business 

 having called me to Yucatan last November, I had an Oppor- 

 tunity of both seeing and shooting a large number of the 

 above named ducks. In Nov ember and December the 

 broadbills aud blue-winged teal came along in immense 

 numbers, and about the first of January the widgeon ar- 

 rived. All of these birds remained until tlie beginning of 

 March, or somewhat later, and then gradually disappeared. 

 The spring gunners knew well enough when 'they appeared 

 at, that se,ison after leaving Yucatan. 



In Yoicatan, just back of the sea coast, extends an im- 

 mense lagoon cast aud west some two hundred and liftv 

 miles. In the fall the water of the lagoon gradually rise's 

 and overflows the low country bordering it. This flowed 

 land is covered with decayed stumps, not, the lofty dead for- 

 ests of our southern country, but mere stumps, not over a 

 dozen feet, in height and' by no means thickly grown. 

 Among these old trees and in the shallow bogs of the lagoon 

 millions of ducks pass the winter. One first sees them in 

 riding on the railroad bet ween Progreso amlMenda, the cars 

 flushing large flocks. They appear to become used to the 

 whistle and do not fly far, and often will not fly at ah, 

 merely swimming off a short distance. I noticed that among 

 the teal very few were oi the green-winged variety, and but 

 a few redheads were to lie seen. I went but a trifling dis- 

 tance from Progreso and it may be that away from the 

 towns the other kinds, canvas-backs, mallards, etc., are to 

 be found. The game birds of this country are by no means 

 confined to ducks. English snipe are very numerous as are 

 many varieties of the hay-birds. Back from the coast arc 

 found quail, doves, wood pigeon, the famous ocellated tur- 

 key, a big black pheasant with gold crest aud many other 

 birds more or less known to our northern gunners. The 

 jaguar, tiger-cat and deer may be shot by him who makes a 

 business iff going for the big game. 



Tlie climate is comfortable, the temperature ranging from 

 05" to To . As for the cooking, any visitor must not expect, 

 too much. He who can live on eggs, and good ones they 

 are, rice, poultry and fish, which latter" is always served cold, 

 can get along, and he who is fond of oil will revel. 



The route to Yucatan is simple enough. Take steamship 

 at New York, Alexandre line, on Thursday, arriving at 

 Havana Monday, leaving there, on following day; and 

 Thursday A. M." wdl see the tourist at, Progreso. the only 

 port of the State. From Progreso he takes the train for the 

 pretty ami picturesqnc city of Mcrida, twenty-five miles 

 inland, where he will find people dressed as in New Y'ork, 

 and displaying all the qualities of a fairly cultured, race. 



The sportsman will find kindred spirits in this city, in- 

 cluding notably the lively Consul and genial Dr. tiilkie, 

 either of whom will furnish all the information he requires 

 autl start him off in good shape. Should he be fortunate to 

 be there early in February during the Carnival, he will 

 surely congratulate himself and have a genuine 1 "good time." 



The celebrated ruins of Hxmal and many others can be 

 reached safely in a day and a half, and the visitor can listen 

 to the estimate of age iauging from 1.5,000 to as many htiu- 

 dred years, and if the drum of his ear is not ruptured by 

 the rival archaeological students he can lay it to his extra 

 good fortune and be grateful. 



Geese do uot appear, although the feeding grounds look 

 favorable for them. The- birds come readily to decoys which 

 1 used lasl season, and furnish excellent sport. Many ducks 

 were lost a-; the natives use mere "dugouts. ' standing up 

 and poling, pei milting the cripples lo get away too often. 

 I was surprised at the general good condition of' the birds. 



they being heavy, far more so than is the case in warm 

 climates, according to my experience. The cooking of them 

 there is done in a manner calculated to excite criticism, as 

 some two or more hours is considered the thing. Should I 

 return to Yucatan T -will endeavor to write for the Forest 

 ami STREAM more about this strange region. 



Fked Skikneh. 

 Uoston, Mass. 



FUN ON RICH MOUNTAIN. 



THE 83d of last April was a lovely day. warm and spring- 

 like. My wife had left me for the day. and I was 

 keeping bachelor's hall and trying to enjoy myself by gar- 

 dening. Noticing a loose picket, it occurred to me that a 

 nail in time saves, well, lots of profanjtj end rock throwing 

 when one keeps chickens and a garden, so I proceeded to 

 tack it in place. "Bint, bim, bim," said my hammer, when 

 back from the mountain came, not the echo, but " Irnbhh- 

 ubbh-obbh-J" "Great Scot: there's the 'Big Gobbler.' " 



In considerably le-s than a minute I had "Kill-Devil" and 

 my "yelper" and was making quick time across the pasture, 

 well knowing that that voicewould stir every gun in the 

 Cove. An hour's hard climb put me in position" above the 

 turkey and behind an old log. The ground fell away gradu- 

 ally in my front for fifty yards and then suddenly pitched 

 off steep. Right there I expected my friend if he was still 

 about, so I drew a low yelp. No answer. Tried it again, 

 louder. Still no answer. Then full blast. "Ah, you bear 

 that, you old Turk; now come on." 



In a few minutes I could hear the hum of his wings as he 

 strutted. He was a cunning old rogue, however, and stood 

 gobbling and strutting just out of sight, If any of the boys 

 have been there they will know with what repressed energy 

 I grasped "Kill-Devil's" stock, and how eagerly I watched, 

 for that turkey lo -tep over the ridge. He had been silent 

 now for some ten minutes, and I was beginning to think he 

 bad discovered me, when the snapping of a twig drew my 

 attention, and easting my eyes slightly to the left, there 

 stood indeed the "Big Gobbler" in all his pride. And truly 

 royal he looked, as the sun glinted on his bronze feat hers 

 and added color to his big wattles, standing with his wings 

 folded and tail half closed, his beard nearly touching the 

 ground, and his keen eye', turning about from side to side, 

 iu search of the lady whose call he'd answered. 



I could have sat and admired bim for a long time, but an 

 accidental move of my rifle barrel gave him the hint, and 

 like a flash he had "taken iu the situation" and broken for 

 the mountaiu edge. Quick work was necessary, and just as 

 he yvas running behind a chestnut I sent a, Ai through his 

 backbone. So fell the "Big Gobbler," a tut key some of our 

 best hunters got fooled on. and which a sheer piece of luck 

 gave to me, He turned the scale at, 21+ pounds, and was in 

 prime condition generally. 



The following Sunday a circle of friends pronounced roast 

 (wild) turkey the best of meat, and sitting around the cheer- 

 ful evening Are with our pipes the "battle was fought o'er 

 again." Saki,wii,i,au. 



A Beak Up a Thee.— The Belleville, Ont., InttUwncir, 

 gives this account: " In the Sine settlement in the Town- 

 ship of Kwdon, as bears have been reported to have been 

 seen, considerable excitement lias been raised and local 

 sportsmen are all anxious as to who will have the honor of 

 bringing bruin to earth. A few nights since a party of some 

 six sportsmen started out, ostensibly to shoot 'coons, but 

 with an eye to the greater chance of 'killing a bear, so that 

 the party were not surprised but were considerably excited 

 when his bruiuship was seen to climb a tree. As. however, 

 the night was dark he could uot, be distinctly seen through 

 the foliage, at least not distinctly enough to chance a shot. 

 The party were possessed of patience aud determined to wait 

 until morning at the foot of the tree, when with coming 

 daylight the bear should be shot and the country feasted 

 with bear meat. So a fire was lit, aud the neighbors for 

 miles around were awakened and flocked to the scene, where. 

 a barrel of water bad been provided to cleanse the stains of 

 the morning's bloody conflict. The night wore slowly 

 away, as nights have a habit of doing, and around the camp- 

 fire the little group clustered, each one claiming the honor 

 of having been first to discover his bearship, which had 

 been cleverly treed. As night drew to a close and as day- 

 light began to break, the little band were all excitement ar-d 

 each bravely shouldered his gun and watched anxiously for 

 au opportunity to fire the shot that would add bear meat and 

 glory to the lucky hunter, when low among the branches a 

 dark object was seen, which, at the moment that, a shot, was 

 about to be fired, mewed. Each man looked at his neighbor 

 with a ' sold' expression, and then and there registered a 

 cast iron vow that, no one of the party should tell thai they 

 had sat, all night at the trunk of a tree watching a black cat. 

 But in someway the story leaked out, and the little word 

 'mew,' whispered in the ear of any of the party, is as good 

 as a challenge for a battle." 



Philadelphia Notes.— The prospect for quail shooting 

 around Millerstowu, Pa., this season is excellent. Many 

 coveys have been reared in that section aud much buckwheat 

 has been raised. Turkeys have been numerous there this 

 year, and the sportsmen of Millerstown carefully observe the 

 game laws and other rules established by themselves which 

 forbids the running of either setters, pointers or hounds in 

 the surrounding hills which they say scatters the turkey's out 

 of the country. "Bird dogs" must be worked in the valleys 

 where the quail are. During the past, week the continued 

 cast winds made good titles for rail shooting, but the buffs 

 appear to have left just before the late cool weather. Teal 

 shooting has been very good during the week. Black ducks 

 aud sprigtails are coming to our river marshes, and some of 

 our shooters have already gone below for them. Iu the bays 

 from Barnegat to Atlantic City ducks begin to show them- 

 selves, anil before many days a war will lie opened upon 

 them. We must have a cool snap, however, before fowl will 

 be plentiful. The late flight, of black-breasted plover, calico 

 backs, aud brown backs, so far behind the date of their ap- 

 pearance last autumn, has surprised many. A great many 

 birds were killed while they were passing'tbrough.— Homo. 



Teal in Missouri.— Sedalia, Mo., Oct. li — The blue- 

 winged teal are here in numbers. I have uot seen them so 

 numerous for years. I went out yesterday afternoon, and 

 in one hour bagged sixteen and one water hen, with eleven 

 shots. Could have killed more, but as this gave us tWOduhkH 

 apiece (except, the baby, and he can't eat, ducks), 1 desisted. 

 Our outlook for quail shooting is not as pron 

 dieted earlier iu the season. The birds are evidently migrat- 

 ing, Our game laws are' Well observed.— Qe( 1 1 



