134 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



}mm §ag nn& %nn. 



GAME NOW IN SEASON. 



Moose, Alces malchis. 



Caribou, Tarandus rangifer. 



Elk or wapiti, Cervus canadensis. 



Ked or Virginia deer, G.virginianiis. 



Squirrels, red, black and gray. 



Hares, brown and gray. 



Wild turkey, Meteagris gallopa- 



vo\ 

 Pinnated grouse or prairie chicken, 



Cupidonia cupido. 

 Ruffed grouse or pheasant, JBonasa 



umbellus. 

 Quail or partridge, Ortyx Virginia- 



nus. 

 Black-bellied plover or ox-eye, Squa- 



tarola helvetica. 

 Ring plover, JEgialitis semipal- 



maius. 

 Stilt, or long-shanks, Himantopm 



nigjicollh. 

 Woodcock, PhUohela minor. 

 Red-breasted snipe or dowitcher, 



Maerorhamphus griseiis. 

 Red-backed sandpiper, or ox-bird, 



Tringa americana. 

 Grrat marbled godwit, or marlin, 



Limosa fedoa. 

 Willet, Totamis semipalmatiis. 

 Yellow-shanks, Totanus Jlavipes. 



"Bay-birds" generally,including various species of plover, sandpipers, 

 snipe, curlews, oyster-catchers,8urf-bird8, phalaropes, avocets, etc., com- 

 ing under the group Limlcola or Shore Birds. 



Quail. — The quail season opened in this State on Mon- 

 day last, but too near the time of our going to press for us 

 to receive reports from distant localities. Long Island, 

 however, has been heard from, and as a rule the birds have 

 been found but little more than half grown. Gentlemen 

 shooting in Suffolk county, inform us that they flushed 

 bevies in which the birds were so small that they- had not 

 the heart to shoot them. The early indications of an abun- 

 dance of birds appear to be prett}' well carried out, although 

 it is remarkable how rapidly the numbers decrease as the 

 First approaches. 



— The duck season may be said to have commenced on 

 Monday, along the coast, at lea&t. Our reports from Maine 

 and Massachusetts show how they are gradualby making 

 their way south. Good bags have already been made at 

 Cohasset and other points on the Massachusetts shore, and 

 they are probably by this time at Peconic, Shinnecock and 

 other bays at the east end of Long Island. Good Ground 

 will probably soon be heard from. In the Great South 

 Bay some good sport has been had at coots off Bell port, 

 but no ducks of any consequence have arrived. The first 

 shooting will be the best, as the baymen are now all en- 

 gaged in oystering; when that work is stopped and ali com- 

 mence duck shooting the birds disappear very rapidly. 



— Some of the best duck shooting on our coast is reached 

 by the steamers of the Old Dominion Line. See adver- 

 tisement. 



The Baker Three-Barrelled Gun. — Mr. Chas. Greer, 

 of Mamaroneck, this State, wishes to wager five hundred 

 dollars with our correspondent, H., that he cannot re- 

 peat, with his Baker gun, the targets as reported in our 

 issue of September 21st. For our own part, we can see 

 nothing so remarkable in the targets, considering that they 

 were made with No. 8 shot. 



i — The shooting season is now at its height in England, 

 although the ''hunting men" proper, those who ride to. 

 hounds, are looking for a frost. All the country houses 

 are filling, and from Berwick to Penzance the report of 

 guns is heard through the land. Everyone has to pay £1 

 a year for a gun license, and the annual revenue thus pro- 

 duced amounts to many thousands a year. 



Deer Shooting in the Adirondack^. — Several in- 

 quiries having been made of us within a few days by 

 sportsmen, as to the chance of their getting a deer by 

 making a trip to the Adirondacks, and several persons of 

 our acquaintance having already gone there, the following 

 information from & correspondent will be received with 

 much satisfaction: — 



"Of deer, the abundance surprises me. Ten years ago 

 I spent five weeks in November and December in these 

 woods, and careful observation during the present summer, 

 aided by a 30 years' experience with their habits, convinces 

 me that their numbers have doubled since that time, all re- 

 ports to the contrary notwithstanding. The guides judge of 

 their numbers by their presence in the ponds, but this is 

 wholly fallacious . Large tracts of this forest have been burned 

 over in the last fifteen years. Warned by the fatality at- 

 tending this resort to the lakes, the deer have in a measure 

 forsaken them, and hence chosen to remain in the second- 

 growth timber which has sprung up in the burnt districts, 

 and which afford good feeding grounds and unequalled 

 cover. It is a peculiarly difficult country for 'hounding,' 

 as it is extremely uncertain, in which of the innumerable 

 lakelets that dot this wilderness, the deer will take water; 

 and dependence is chiefly placed upon shooting him on the' 

 runways, which is necessarily a very uncertain chance. 

 Any lover of buck shooting, the best of all our field sports, 

 can find it here to his heart's content. From October 25th 

 to December 15th is the best season. Then they are in 

 splendid condition and the hunter has the satisfaction of 

 placing his cunning against their's, not being able to steal 

 up to them "like a thief in the night" and shoot them down; 

 half of them does, with their udders full of milk, leaving 

 their innocent fawns to starve if very young. 



Massachusetts— Cohasset, Sept. 25th. — We have had a 

 cold rough week on the shore; sea too heavy most of the 

 time, but some good bags of ducks have been shot — 16 to 

 one boat the best so far this year. Two brant, the first of 

 the season, shot on the 23d. A few plover and tattlers 

 going along daily, but very wild. No teal or mallards this 

 week. S. K., Jr. 



Salem, Sept. 26th. — Sporting notes are meagre for the past 

 week. Marsh birds are scantily represented, and tliough 

 the weather has been good, the birds have not. I have to 

 report 3 winters and 2 plover up Danvers river last Mon- 

 dav by a friend; 5 black ducks at one shot (all there were) 

 at Coy's pond, Windham neck, last Sunday (I didn't do it). 

 There have been rome birds shot in several places, but no 

 good bags. Some coots in the bay just before the last 

 storm. Advices from Ipswich and Rowley give birds as 

 unusually scarce, young loons being a dollar a head at Boar 

 Head, and when served a la Hampton (a "Granite House" 

 style and preferred to chickens but not by me; give me 

 chicken, and I'll shoot you a loon.) Smelts are getting more 

 plenty,, but not thick. Rail at Newburyport are said to be 



getting scarce. Ground in good order for English snipe 

 and prospects good for quail. Teal. 



October 2d. — No birds at any of the usual places the past 

 week, and some of our best gunners have given up in dis- 

 gust. Some rabbits at Ipswich, I am told. A few coot 

 shot at Linkus island. Teal. 



Charlton, Sept. 28th— I saw the largest flock of quail to- 

 day that I ever saw. Should think there were 50 of them 

 and all of good size. Hope to find them again when the 

 law is off. Winters are too severe here for quail," and it is 

 very seldom that we have them for more than one season, 

 before they are winter-killed. I am in hope we shall have 

 them this fall, but if not here I shall find them somewhere 

 else. 0. T. 



[When a boy in Hampshire county, Mass., among the 

 Green Mountains, thirty years ago, or more, quail were 

 quite numerous, and the winters, we are convinced, were 

 much more severe then than now.— Ed.] 



Cohassett, Oct. 2. — Ducks flying well the past week. A 

 friend and myself shot 30 on the 27th; next day shot 13 

 plover; plenty of them and winter yellow-legs. Partridges 

 very scarce about here this year. Several flocks of brant 

 went over yesterday morning. G. K., Jr. 



New York — Hornellsville, Oct. 2d. — Ruffed grouse very 

 scarce. Squirrels, black and gray, plenty. A few flocks 

 of pigeons have been seen. John. 



Hornellsville, Oct. 1st.— There was eveiy indication last 

 spring and summer of having plenty of ruffed grouse. 

 Since the season has opened, however, there is complaint 

 of not finding many. My opinion, as well as that of others, 

 is that they are widely scattered in search of grapes, ber- 

 ries, etc. Plenty of black and gray squirrels about and in 

 the adjoining townships. Reports from different directions 

 hereabouts would give promise of more abundant bags of 

 quail this season than for several years past. 



Buck Shot. 



Deposit, Sept. 30. —Ruffed grouse very plenty. Wood- 

 cock coming in. Gray and black squirrels plenty, with a 

 sprinkling of wild pigeons on the giain fields. But little 

 shooting is done here. F. Sturdevant. 



Syracuse, Oct 1st.— Quite a number of ducks have ap- 

 peared near Onondaga lake, and snipe and plover shooting 

 is quite good. Seneca. 



Maryland — Muirkirk, Oct. 1st.— Partridges (quail) are 

 more plentiful with us than for many seasons back, al- 

 though I am sorry to say that they are being shot before 

 the close season expires by men who call themselves sports- 

 men. We shall put some of them through if we can get 

 evidence enough to convict. C. 



Illinois— Middle Grove, Sept. 28th. — I have been sporting 

 here for 15 days, and have killed 146 pigeons, 27 large jox 

 squirrels, ihree crows ("egg suckers"), two hawks ("chick- 

 en stealers"), and one large horned goose owl, ("hen-roost 

 robbers"). The pigeons came from the northwest about 

 September 5lh, and are now going southeast for Maryland, 

 Virginia, etc. Grouse and quail are rather scarce here, 

 yet fair shooting. Ducks and geese have not yet come 

 south, but will on tlie first cold day. Then hurrah for the 

 Illinois river, below Peoria, where n.usic is expected from 

 many pieces. Maj. H. W. Merrill. 



Indiana — Indianapolis, Sept. 23d. — I seldom see any re- 

 ports from our locality; although many keen sportsmen 

 and not a few crack shots reside here. The season having 

 been favorable quail will be more abundant than for years. 

 The boys are all ready, waiting patiently for a week^from 

 Monday for a start. The southern and western portions 

 of our State afford3 fine shooting, and the many beautiful 

 lakes of the north arc well stocked with fine fish. Why 

 does not some one write us up? W. E. U. 



Kentucky— Louisville, Sept. 2§th. — The reports from all 

 over our State are very favorable for this season's sport; 

 in fact, better than for years. Woodcock have been scarce 

 and but few killed. On Watch. 



Virginia — Leesburg, Sept. 30. — A few bull-bats are killed 

 here in the evening. T. W. 



Missouri— Jefferson City, Sept. 29th.— Shooting in this 

 vicinity good for quail. There is also quite a number of 

 wild turkeys within from one to three miles of the city, 

 but no squirrels and only a very few pigeons have made 

 their appearance. The first flight of wild geese and ducks 

 yesterday. Verv good deer hunting on the Osage river 

 within 8 to 12 miles of the city. H. C. M. 



Mississippi— Corinth, Sept. 28th.— Weather too warm to 

 take the field, although quail and turkey are reported quite 

 plenty. Some gentlemen went from here on the 15th to 

 make a deer and turkey hunt. They made a start on a 

 deer, and spent the most of the day after him, but failed 

 to get a shot, after a long chase. They found no turkeys, 

 and returned without hoof or claw. When the weather 

 gets cooler and the leaves off the bushes and the frost kills 

 the grass and weeds, I will commence on "bob-white." My 

 dogs are looking finely, perfectly healthy and in good 

 form. I had just sealed this letter when Duncan came in 

 with a fine gobbler, in token of which find inclosed some 

 some of his mid-wing coverts. He will weigh about 17 or 

 18 pounds. First blood for John, the best turkey hunter 

 in North America. Guyon. ^ 



Texas— Galveston, Sept. 27th. — Game commences to ar- 

 rive in fair quantities. Plover left about two weeks ago for a 

 still warmer climate, though you may meet yet with soma 

 stragglers, which, however, are poor as snakes. Teal 

 ducks are putting in an appearance, and a party of young 

 sportsmen bagged last Sunday about ten pairs at Smith's 

 point, about 15 miles from hire, on the bay. This, and 

 the mouth of Trinity river, are considered the best localities 

 for duck shooting in this vicinity. Such shooting as we have 

 during the winter at ihe places mentioned would do your 

 heart good. Smith's point, more particularly, is a great 

 place for canvas-backs, there being a chain of lakes that 

 abound with wild celery. Our snipe grounds are splendid, 

 and I do not think that any afford more sport, with less 

 fatigue, the same not being a treacherous swamp, as iu 

 Louisiana and the Teehe country, but mostly the wild 

 prairie, with a little water on it, so that you may walk and 

 ride with at least some degree of comfort. W. 



Canada— Grave n hurst, Sept. 25th. — I was out on the 1st 

 and the 15th of this month after ruffed grouse, and suc- 

 ceeded in bagging 8 on the former day and 6 on the latter. 

 There is no trouble in making a good bag, providing you 

 have a good dog along with you— that is, one that will tree 

 the birds and then bark. It is almost impossible to shoot 



them on the wing in Muskokaat this season of the year 

 the swamps which they frequent now are so thick wii? 

 leaves and brush. Deer are now in season, and are emit 

 plentiful. Judge Lount, of Bracebridge, is now out on hi 

 annual hunt. He got two last Friday, his first day out 

 and missed a fine large buck on Saturday (through his not 

 slicking to his post on the runway), but which lie Uiink* 

 he will get to-day. 



PIGEON MATCHES. 



— There wilFbe a pigeon tournament at Dayton, Ohio 

 on Wednesday and Thursday, October 11th and 12th. Over 

 $2,000 will be given in purses, and Messrs. J. F. South and 

 C. F. Wheale will shoot alOO-bird match for $500. Cant 

 Bogardus will also be present. 



— The gold badge for the championship of the United 

 States for pigeon shooting, was contested for at Deerfoot 

 Park, New York, Wednesday, Sept. 27th. The badge was 

 in the possession of Capt. A. H Bogardus, he having won 

 it at Fleetwood Park in May, 1871, and a second time at 

 Joliet, 111., in March, 1874. This time Bogardus had for 

 his opponents Greene Smith of New York, J. E. Hudson 

 of Syracuse, O. F. Wheale of Cleveland, Ohio, and J, a 

 Nichols of Syracuse, and the contest was so close that Bo- 

 gardus won by only one bird, although he scored 52 out of 

 54. Wheale was second, with a score of 51. Each con- 

 testant shot at 30 birds singly and at 12 pairs. The pigeons 

 were wild ones, and with few exceptions were not strung 

 on the wing. The rise was 21 yards in the single and is 

 in the double shooting. 



Long Island Club.— This club held its regular monthly 

 contest for the cup on Friday last at the club grounds near 

 Jamaica. There were 20 contestants, the conditions being 

 seven birds each, 25 yards boundary. Dr. Atkins and Mr. 

 Gildersleeve tied, each killing all their birds. In shooting 

 off, however, the Doctor killed two to his opponent's one. 

 The other scores of those who shot out were— Yates 6 

 Thomas 6, Wynn 6, Blankley 6, Willard 5, Reding 5, Wat- 

 ton 5, Hartshorn 5, Broadway 4, Martin 4, Miller 4, Racel. 



—The first annual fall shooting match of the First 

 German New York Hunting Club took place on Wed- 

 nesday, September 27th, at Staten Island, Sea View Race 

 Course, with the following result:— 



Name. Total. 



G.Kall 8 



L. Maisch 7 



T. Rubsam 6 



H. Berlau 5 



T. K.uMz...... 5 



Chas. Nagel 4 



A. Kaltenoach 4 



Name. Total. 



Jobn Fleishman 4 



P. Hemrner 5 



F. G. iSheller 3 



fl. Zahn 6 



Wm. Hchwind 4 



L. Schuter 4 



WHAT SPORTSMEN NEED. 



Beixefontaine, Ohio. 

 Editor Forest and Stream: — 



We need a well made paper shell with a Berden primer, same as metal- 

 lic shells. There should be in the top of the shell close to the primer a 

 small slot like there is in Hart's metallic she'l, so that the cap can le 

 easily removed. The advantage of this is more appreciated in the field 

 when there happens to be a mis-fire, for instead of having to carry 

 aTOund with us half a dozed loaded shells that we cannot use, the shells 

 could be recapped immediately by having a small pointed insti unieiit 

 which could easily be attached to any one of the pocket recappers. 



Joijn J. Palmer. 

 — -*-♦**» 



Creedmoor. — The event at Creed moor on Saturday was 

 the fourth competition for the Marksman's badge, pre- 

 sented by Mr. H. C. Poppenhausen of the Long Island 

 Railroad Company. The weather was so wretched that 

 the number of competitors was very small. This is an all- 

 comer's match, five shots each at 200 and 500 yards, State 

 medal rifle. "The following are the scores:— 



200 500 



Name. Yards. Yards. Total. 



A. B. Van Hcusen 20 21 41 



E. DeForest 21 20 41 



George Waterman 19 21 40 



T.W.Linton 19 21 40 



Col. G. D. Scott 17 21 38 



Capt. J. L. Price 18 20 38 



H.H Meday 19 19 38 



Capt. C. F. Bobbins 18 19 \ 



W. L. Candee ... 19 18 3. 



J. F. Bultman 18 1? 36 



Licat. J. A. Gee 19 16 3a 



W. H Cochrane, Jr 19 15 J4 



S. T. Hubbard, Jr; 16 V, 33 



W.S.Thompson.. 15 17 32 



G. F. Merchant 17 15 32 



H. Funke, Jr 17 11 f t 



J. L. Killinger 20 13 %\ 



E.W.Price 20 11 31 



Dr. J. L. Farley 14 16 30 



Homer Wisher 18 12 30 



G. E. Heed 15 33 23 



C.H.Eagle 19 18 2 ? 



J. W.Hale 14 11 £? 



L.Cass 20 A] 



The sixth competition for the Spirit of the Times medal 

 will take place at Creedmoor next Saturday at 3 p. m. 



The Creedmoor Rifle Guard, an association composed oi 

 the markers and other employes of the range, will noia 

 their annual prize meeting at Creedmoor on Monday tne 

 16th inst. Prizes have been offered by many of the com- 

 missioned officers of the National Guard, and an interesting 

 time is anticipated. The distance covered will be 200 yard., 

 position, standing; weapons, military rifles. In tne ? v *j " 

 ing the prizes will be distributed, after which a dmnu 

 will be served to tbe competitors and their ladies, ana 

 ball will terminate the festivities. 



The Teams at Washington.— Tbe shooting by mem- 

 bers of the Irish, Scotch, Australian and American 11 u« 

 teams, at Washington, was concluded on Saturday oy < 

 competition at 1000 yards, a day each having been deyou 

 to the 800 and 900-yard ranges. The shooting was in n 

 respect a match, but more of an exhibition of mdivia ^ 

 skill, each shooting independently of the other. 

 Scotch and Irish residents of the District, however, haw, 

 prepared prizes to be given to the riflemen of their res ,P 

 tive nationalities making the best score, the General c 

 mittee prepared a similar one for competition among 

 Australians. The individual superiority of the vis 

 was very apparent throughout the shooting. The n g 

 point was unchanged throughout, the targets being m° 

 back to the required distance. The following . laD Y tl]e 

 ranged according to nationalities, gives a synopsis o 



