384 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Dboembbb 16, IS^O- 



The absurd rules by wMch the raeeling was governed may 

 be credited with no small part of the dissfttisfnction which 

 has resulled, and we commend the recent letters of our cor- 

 itspondent " Couples" to all who are interested in field trial?. 



At a regular monthly meeting of the New York Associa- 

 tion for the Protection of Piah anil Game, Monday evening, 

 Dec. 6, J\Ir. AVhitehead offered tlie following: 



Whereafi, liv chapter 591 of the laws of 1880 the Grovernor 

 was .luthnrized to a]ijmiut Kame constables and has failed to 

 appoint nny f( r tbe city of iN'ew York, 



Resolved, That this association regrets the failure of the 

 Governor to take such action. 



Several members spoke on this question and the resolutions 

 were adopted. Our readers will remember that fronj the 

 first we have insisted that New York city and Long Island 

 should each have one. Mr. Holberton said that it was of 

 more importance to watch the markets than the places where 

 game is slaughtered, for the markets are the inducement to 

 kill unlawfully, and Mr. Luddington thoushl it was not only 

 of more importance, but also more praclicahlu, iis the mai'- 

 kets were a small territory to watch in compari.scm with tlie 

 whole State. A resolution was adopted recommending the 

 extension ot the season for the sale of venison to Feb. 1, in- 

 stead of January as the law now reads. 



Rbadeks of the Forest jlSb Stream, who wish to question 

 its correspondents upon points in their communications, are 

 requested to do so, when practicable, so that the replies may 

 he given through the paper. 



,-^^,-_ 



HOW THE PRESS REGARDS IT. 



[From a 



a editorial in the Eichmond "Whig, Dec. G, ISSO.] 

 "FOREST AND STREAM." 



We oanaot toa warmly and earnestly commend this paper t-o the 

 sportsmen of Yirgiiiiii. ft ia a great paper— brave and high in 

 every senBO of the word. It has recently given strilting proof of its 

 manhiiess and raoral i;o\irage and disinterestedness in exposing a 

 dangerouw humbug, the Bittmar powder. That fraud was a largo 

 and proHtable advertiser in its ooluintis, and by Bilonce tho paper 

 might h.ive Luuliuned to reap this profit, and no one could com- 

 plain. But, satisfied it was a dangerous uxplosive, threatening life 

 or limb of all who used it, it did not hesitste a moment to declare 

 the truth and denounce the imposition. The paper is not only 

 bravely and honestly conducted, hut is edited with great ahiUty. 

 Its speciaUioa are indispensable to the intelligent sportsman, while 

 its miscellaneona columns supply a rich variety to the general 

 reader, "We dare say no one can peruse it a twelve-month without 

 being duly impressed irith the great importance of fish and game 

 propagation to the people of this ooimtry. By a law aimply pro- 

 tecting game and fish, durmg the breeding seasons, the whole 

 population of the land could obtain fully half its meat-supply with 

 Uttle labor or cost. 



There ought to be at least a thousand subscribers to Forest ANn 

 Stbeam in Virginia. Two or tiu-ee thousand would be all the bet- 

 ter for all parties. The paper is worthy of the philanthropio cause 

 it supports. Let the Game clubs all over the State direct tlielr 

 energies to the increased chcniation of this paper. They conld 

 not adopt a more effective means of promoting tho objects all 

 desire— streams fiUed with fish, and field and forest with game. 



^he fyarisnmn ^aarisi 



HINTSION ANTKLOPE SHOOTING. 



THE antelope, to a beginner, is, with the exception of the 

 mountain sheep, the most diflicult animal of approach 

 on this continent. When first I hunted antelope on the Up- 

 per Yellow.striiic I came to the conclusion that there was not 

 much fun in it, as it Biemed to be more a matter of luck than 

 skill if 1 tt'jt within 600 yards of one, and although lam con- 

 sidered a pretty good shot, I must confess that half that dis- 

 tance is \ny limit for anything like a sure thing, and even 

 then I don't want too much wind, nor do I want to be out of 

 wind from having nm up and^ down a few ravines to get a 

 shot. 



The fact is there is no animal possessed of keener sight 

 than an anteloxie, unless it be a giraffe. In localities where 

 thc-y have never been shot at much they are comparatively 

 tanio, aiiii ma.v appear slupid: but just try them where In- 

 dians are in (lie habit ot hunting and then the tune changes, 

 especially as an Indian alivays hunts on horseback, and when 

 herountif. one tbe next tiling he does is to run him dovm, if 

 he can, and tliat scares all tie others tliat are in sight away, 

 ^^urmg the summers and falls of 1878 and 1879 I did 

 nothing but hunt, and antelope received the greater part vi 

 my nti^ntion, and having killed over 240 by actual count I 

 think that at any rate I gained some valuable experience, 

 some of which I will try to impart. The principal thing is 

 to keep out of sight. Don't delude yourself because a band 

 is a couple of miles away, apparently feeding, and all wit-i 

 their huads down, ilial, none arc on the loot out, and that 

 you may i ide up a little cloi3cr and then keep out of sight. 



my sorrow. The chances are 



" : 1 1 ig before 5-ou see them, 



rrst, still they are on the 



1 1 cr having .siiown your- 



That won't do 

 ten to one that they 

 and although they n i 

 guivive, and if you i\ 



self, why, just score li, .^l .„ ii:l... 



My advice is to always hunt over broken ground and un- 

 dulating prairie, for altJiough you don't see as many antelope 

 there as on level ground, still your chances are twenty to one 

 in your favor, us as-aiust the level when you do come across 

 a band. ,'\i;ain, njininibfr that when yon reach the suinniil 

 of ahill T.jiu- horsc'r^ head ia in plain sight befotc you can 

 look in tl'ic holk:AV l;ex-oiid, so if vou are too lazy to dismount 

 always skirl along tiK' ridge for a tew Yard.«, stand well up 

 in your .'itirrnps and i 'lie a good look. But this is the lazy 

 and unprofitable style, and gciuaally before you can check 

 your horse the antelope have seen you, and that settles it. 

 Bo the beat way is to dismount, lead your horse with a good 

 long lariat, so he will be some yards behind you; take off 

 your hilt Cwhich, by the way, lis .also visible before you can 

 see — your eyes being lower than tho crown) anil go slowly 

 up until you can just see well into the ravines and^oa tho 



hill sides boy ond. Don't bn hi n hurry. Take a cautious pur- 

 vey, as during the day it often happens that an old buck is 

 lying down sunning himself on some gentle slope, when he 

 may easily be mistaken for a stone, or'perhaps a whole band 

 may be feeding or wandering through these ravines right 

 under your nose or deep down wliere the grass is freshest. 

 This is more likely to be the case in the fall months, when 

 the prairie grass, on tlic level and high groinul hns become 

 sun-dried and cured, in which ca!--e ifnteloiie, and in' fact all 

 herbivorous imimaJ^, prefer the short grass, which is more 

 tender in low, damp .ground. 



If you have the good luck to see one or more, waHc back to 

 your" horse. Don't pull him up where you are. Take off 

 your picket pin, drive it in firnily with your heel, and be sure 

 It is straight, as then il \yill Imld bpttor. Fnsl on your horse 

 securely and coiiunerict: voiu- stulkiii'j-. After tiie horse is 

 well off yom- hands then yon aie all right, but bo su.io before 

 you leave bim that iie can't get av.^ay, a.swhcri you comeback 

 you may find your mount lias di=appeared and tli en, as fre- 

 quently happens, you may be fifteen miles from camp, which 

 is quite a long walk, besides losing jour saddle and accoulre- 

 ments ; f(n- although the horse nuiV" turn up, you will gener- 

 ally hear from the p.arty who ha.s found him that he was 

 stripped. Whether lie was or not (liat is generally the Btory, 

 .so it pays to have the horse both lied and liobblod. 



Now "go steadil3% keep the wind 'veil iu your face, and if 

 necessnrj' do the very best crawling }'ou can. (lot as close as 

 possible, and don't shoot if you can't get within 300 yiirds. 

 Never mind what you have done at a target or what yon see 

 in print about long shots and all that. 1 have seen dozens of 

 as fine rifle shots as ever drew n rifle up to their shoulder, 

 and I declare that I never saw a man yet who could count on 

 an antelope over 300 yards. Remember it is fully equal to a 

 "five point in a nine "inch wing." Besides, if yon miss this 

 shot you may scare away more game than 3^011 have seen for 

 a week, so he steady. 



After cr.awling about and dragging yourscir snake f:i.sln0]i, 



it is well to fake a go,'-,,: ], ; ' ■ • n 



may think yourself .;■' 



only be over anxiety. 1 - 



the ground deliberately -, i-Piouiin" yi-ar r.i-i jiiih : :i.;!i...- ill 

 due allowances: push your gun forward, an.l it a : ingle 

 shooter place anollier cartridge in your mnulh, hullel end in; 

 take good, steady aim, and bla/.o away. Reload your gim 

 instanlly, whether the game is down or not. Another may 

 jump up that you had not seen. Better to be always ready 

 and accustom yourself lo do Td tiso v,-:i;!ing. for an antelope 

 has not much "patienre, imd if : ' ' ■ a gh the paunch, 



leg, haunch, or in fael luiw; od spot, ho can 



still outrun any ordiuai-y ill ; , e legs. In fact, 



I have seen .some make it qiiii .1 ■ ^ -r a cavalry horse 



on two sound lea;s and .'isjinjiie .lenn. if only -.voimded, 

 although fatallvV he will be kuvo m p., ns fm- as be can, and 

 then ail your work will only resnU, in iiroviriiiig asquaremeal 

 for wolves or cayotos and no saddles to sheiw for it. So Ire- 

 peat, get as close as po.ssiblo and make fis near a '' dead cen- 

 tre" as you know how ; and with all these ])reeaulions many 

 a one will get awav without a serntch. .Tust behind the 

 shoulder and a little 'low is the plaeo. Vriien on the rini 

 shoot well ahead atid hnv, as a Ijnilet ihal jiasscs over an ani- 

 mal is lost, whereas one that trnes low, even if too low, stands 

 a chance ot breaking a leg : besides, the failing ia and always 

 has been to overshoot, especially wlien taking quick shots: 

 reason, taking too full a front sight. 



My favorite rifle for antelope slm ni ' irdty is a 



Sharps, cal. .45, cbanibered for llm uud 500 



grains lead, solidbulk-l. I want a t- ^olgrip, 



thirty inch barrel, plain, open sigii,,. , i..i. ..uiek fore- 

 sight preferred. I always use an eiplosive builot, and with 

 these generally manage to stop an antelope on pretty short 

 notice. Solid bullets do very well for target, but are misera- 

 ble things on game, especially tlic cyluider, conical, sharp- 

 pointed style. Tliey go clear through anylhiiig, but are ao 

 sharp and awl-like thatthev produce no shock ;sce artiele on 

 bullets in issue of Nov. 18, 1880). 



I prefer the rifle ; it is the best single shooter made, botti 

 in action and every other partictdar, ihey never get out of 

 order, are easily cleaned, and as for their accuracy, vil\y that 

 is proverbial. As for globe and peep sights and all such 

 fixings I never use them, they cannot be carried attached to 

 a rifle which is knocked about and slung on the pommel of a 

 saddle: besides, up to ;J0O yards open sights, if properly con- 

 structed, will do all lliat is rerinired. d'he gre:it point is to 

 get a rifle that shoot.s aheavyloiid i if powder, the more I he 

 better so long as it does not luck your hc:id off; inir, yi_;u nmst 

 not be afraid of it, as in that caseyouwiU never bit anyt!ii:ig. 

 The flatter trajectory the gun has the better, as it is very dif- 

 ficidt to sight a rifle accurately on .short n..tir.;-, e.special)y 

 when shooting across ravines "M 1 ■ 



As for clothes, nothing eqii ; red can- 



vas suits; they are the very jiiauyob- 



vious reasons: they wear well. -.-.■ jilui unu ■.■.l.-^i.v carried, 

 waterproof to a certain exent, dur;il)le, cheap, and have many 

 pockets and conveniences. Bnekskin, although it looks very 

 " fronticrish " and imparts a (■err:iin ;nr o:' uiniinnsm and 

 brigandage to the wearer, IS i!- ; respect, 



as 'in wet weather il is ai liot, too 



warm; and in cold, not V. a::. ■ , r woolen 



farmeuts arc worn under, in wI.loIi <:-\'i eanv.js a\u do about 

 as well, so Ihat praolieally canvas clolheF, for either prairie 

 or timljer, beast or fowd are to he |:reierred. 



The shoes or boots are very impnrlant. r'vir my part I prefer 

 Thompson & Son's moccasins, with moderately heavy soles, 

 hob nails on the heels. Let the soles projeel ball an inch 1>C- 

 yond Ihofoot all arennd, men when yn. :„rihe a cactus bed 



VOuV-H ;. ■ ■ '.drnadatthetoes, 



the t] ' '■ mean, wdl be 



fulloi , . , . .re..ayasleggings 



they are rooi auueasvon mciegs, anuaM.nL- ,dl hght. I have 

 worn Thompson's boot-shoe, but don't like them, they are too 

 heavy, altltotigh excellent otherwise. A hat to match thecoat, 

 witli ventilators and broHi! brim. 



Carry your c:irlrid ' ■ ' le waist. 



Never use a leather !.■ • .;i;ie^et.v- 



credwith verdigris a:. <;ien ilie 



rifle, whereas the frictie.n ou 'he canvas iveeps mem clcau 

 and bright, besides being lighter :md better in every way. 

 Always carry a shell extractor in yoiu- belt, then you will 

 never leave it at home. I mean an extractor for a headless 

 shell, as no amount of pulling and hauling will budge one of 

 Ihem sometimes. I also greatly believe ii) having a ramrod 

 somewhere aliout my clothes. Tbe stock of the i-ifle, how- 

 ever, is the most conveiuent place and a jointed rod is the 

 best,' same as Winchester rifles are provided with. 



I always cany a huntina knife and steel, both flttmg in one 

 sheath. Thi,s saves trouble, and however good a hmfe may 

 be it soon gets dull, especially when carving up buffalo The 

 Wade of the knife should be all one piece with tbe hand le, 



with buck honi grip. No other kind of knife will stand chop- 

 ping Willi, and that is sometimes tmavoidable, A smallliglit 

 steel is all that is required. 



I prefer the California saddle to any other, but a good Mc- 

 Clellan is perhaps the best for both man and horse. Always 

 carry saddle bags, they are convenient for your lunch, some 

 extra ammunition, matches, and a Qa.sk of cold tea, which is 

 the best and most refreshing drink 1 know of. Il is as well 

 to carry in (hem an oily rag, and if it comes on to rain just 

 rub your gtm with it, and when you get lo camp you will see 

 how easUy it is cleaned. 



My favorite lariat is made of plaited cord — not twisted, for 

 tils when wet unravels — about the same as good strong win- 

 dow cord, forty-five feet long. I fasten one end to the bil, 

 hold it up as I would a halter Btr.ap, and allow* tbe other end 

 to drag a trail after me. When I sec game close I jump off 

 my horse, stand or sit upon the lope, and thus secure my 

 horse at a rnrirnenf's notice. When I have time I use a picket 

 pin. This should lie made of steel and formed like tho old- 

 fashioiierl li-iyonet. not round, as in hard ground it is very 

 difficult to drive tlie latter, whereas a tbree-comercd one enis 

 its way and is soon home. Have ;i swivel atlaehment on top, 

 that prevents the lariat from becoming twisted or snarled. 

 Keep the pin fastened by a steel snap, on the mounting side ; 

 this ill the nil 1st oiinvenient and secure mode of carrying it, 

 and Die Miiiel:est to get it off. 



A field glass is a good contrivance. A single barrel will 

 answer all purposes, is cheaper, lighter and will stand many 

 more hard knocks than the opera glass style or lorgnette. 

 This can be carried in the belt iu a leather case on left side 

 (cai-ry knife on right), and should not bo over six inches long 

 when c-losed. 



A compass is a grand, good thing if you understand it, and 

 know where yeai waid to go, but uidess you do it doesn't 

 amount to much, lor it is always a greater aggravation to be 

 lost with a compa.ss than without one. I always cairy one ; 

 one that opens like a doubl.e-ease htmting wrUch is the best; 

 and fiomelimes have been lost, compass and all. There is 

 nothing more easily leading to this tlaiu to follow a wounded 

 animall you forget everything lail the game you pursue, and 

 when it is getting late and thoughts of eamp steal gently o'er 

 vou, then you find you have lost cvervthing Imt your appe- 

 tite. For this emergency I always eiury salt and inatches in 

 my saddle bags : and if 1 have some meat 1 can at least hiive 

 some supper, amd a smoke, which goes better than fasting till 

 I strike eanq\ wduaiever that may lie. 



I have killed as many as eight antelope in one day, and 

 could freipientlv have hilled more, but I never shot at game 

 that I could not utilize, as llmt 1 consider the most unsports- 

 manlike thing a man can do. I have heard of men killing as 

 high as sixiy in one day, and I dare m\y it is done occasional- 

 ly by men who hunt for pelts on the Missom-i and Upper Yel- 

 lowstone, I have seen bands of over 800 and sometimes, five 

 or six such bands in one day. 



M}' experience goes to prove that an tuilelope can carry as 

 much lead as any aninnd uf its wTight I Imow of ; therefore, 

 use str.aight powder, and lots of it, at least lunelj grains: and, 

 above all, iret close .and use nothing bnt hollow pointed or ex- 

 jilosive bullets, never .smaller than .4"), weighing SOO grains. 

 One v.'ord naire about elothes. For keeping out the cold in 

 winter I know of nothing that comes up to the dog skin 

 leather shooting jacket, sold by Wm. Keed & Sons, of Bos- 

 ton. They are in every particular the best garment made for 

 use in cold weather, anil cannot be too highly reccommended, 

 but for summer and fall work the canvas will do well euough. 

 NmpoH Barraeki, Ky. Tibadoii. 



THE JjUMESTOWIPS THANKSGIVING PBOCl,AiyLATION. 



nv I'HE LIEUTENANT-aOVEBNOB. 



T^ESERTED by State, thrown over by Church, 



^ By all of our countrymen left in tho lurch ; 



Banished far to tho North for no suis of oiu- own, 



Otir prospects uncertain, our hopes overthrown, 



With the days all too short, tbe nights long and drear, 



Praying but to depart, for it's hard to stay here. 



While fcasiang aud thatdung go on through the nation, 



The d.iy eomes to na, Imf with no proclamation. 



"(v : ■ " '■•:' M 1: , Ihe rain down; 



'i ! 1 -1 Jamestowu, 



\,: 1 foundation, 



V, u- m-Bt proclamation : 



I : ,0 rhank as we onghter ; 



L.I J .th delicious rndn water ; 



Tho Joan 01 ine nnav-ns 1,0 us is a gain. 



Our larders are stored with the sports of the chase, 



And venison grease oozes out from each face. 



And horns, tail and hoofs n;- ' H " '-- iir, 



So wo gratitude offer for 1 1 



The shores aud the mud flm 1 h.ave poured, 



Aud with various sea daiime.i ■ .r,r n.outra uro stored. 



On mussels and scallops wo ^line without qualms, 



Aud we gratitude offer for elegant clams. 



We have teal, snipe and plover and Canada geese. 



And plenty of malliu-ds at two bits a piece. 



We've a cook that cau dish up crow, raven or owl, 



80 we offer our thanks for tho stock of wild fowl. 



The deep seuds ns codfiah and halibut, too ; 



The hitter so large that one feeds tho whole crow. 



Wo have so:i bass Hud salmon as much as we ^viBh, 



..\riJ fl L- c.ffer uiir IhanliS for abundance of flah. 



We :ac lii:;:r.;r;)l for mountaius and rivers and trees, 



ij'or lively southeasters ivith gyrating breeze; 



For rain-i<torms and haU-^torm.s aud plenty of snoW, 



And oerasiomd ein-thi(uake6 whiob follow the blow ; 



For voleannes .and cl.ieiers loid scenery gi'aud. 



And for long nights ..t d.irkncss ivhioh hide the wet land; 



For our hops at tho f.;i-,Mo end the girls we there meet, 



The iaue.st in Sitka, anil to us it is sweet 



To learn to talk Ihis.man, and s.ay, " Y<xh hUjulu,"* 



" TosoliUia ui^enia,"^ aud— well, that will do. 

 For our clothifig, wijrn out to tho ultimate thread ; 

 For our gold luce sll tarnished and skins hard and red 

 For the gloomy days ended, for bright ones to come. 

 When the steamer shall bring in the word to go bouie. 

 Thau we'll have our thanksgiving and our thanks, too, eincere. 

 And with joy we will shout, for its tough to stay here. 



mka, 1879, 1880 1 1381 1 1882?. 



■Hove. t Oivems » Ugs. 



