794 
FOREST AND STREAM 
as well prepared for the assaults of their puissant ene¬ 
mies, my idea was to send a tearing, smashing charge 
after them that would do the business beyond all porad- 
venture. It was on a bright, breezy day in October, and 
scarcely had Old Sol begun his westward journey, when 
I sallied forth to deal dare destruction among the unsus¬ 
pecting birds that frequented a large stubble field not 
many rods from the house. To guard against contingen¬ 
cies—not contingencies with me however—I took with 
me a negro boy to carry the game and the extra ammu¬ 
nition. I had not gone fifty paces before “Jim ” made a 
splendid point, The colored moke who came with me 
saw the birds on the ground, and persuaded roe to give 
them both barrels instanter, Scarping to take such mean 
advantage, I bade the dog hie on! in an instant the 
whole atmosphere seemed alive with whining quail; 
and bang! bang! roared iny gun. As soon as the 
smoke cleared aivay, I bade "Jim” go fetch, •*Lord, 
boss, ” exclaimed the negro, “you didn’t kill none!" I 
was not to be convinced, however; and for. an hour I 
made the patient dog search for the birdB that were 
doubtless quietly feeding hundreds of yards away. To 
make a short story of it, 1 shot away the whole sack of 
shot and killed but one bird ; and, to’ this day, I am not 
sure whether I killed that one, or the dog caught it, To 
say I was crestfallen and disgusted, but feebly expresses 
the truth. But nil deaperandum, thought I"; I can do 
better than that, and 1 will do it. The first thing I did 
was to get shot better suited to the business in hand. I 
foreswore wing-shooting for the time, and devoted my 
time to the Herculean task of teat lung myself to throw 
my gun so as to cover any desired spot, without seeking 
aim after it touched the shoulder. In order to do this, I 
placed my target on a wall, and, the moment my piece 
touched my shoulder, T discnarged it. By diligent prac¬ 
tice, by the opening of the next season I could cover my 
target'on the instant; and could even bring down a bird 
occasionally. With the over-sanguine hopefulness inci¬ 
dent to my youth, I begun to think I had mastered the 
difficult problem of wing-shooting, and even looked for¬ 
ward to the time when I would be able to vanquish some 
of the veterans who had quizzed me so unmercifully on 
my first failure. Aside from my great confidence in 
what I had achieved, I was still willing to listen to the 
advice of those whose experience and skill I could but 
respect. And my readiness to follow advice, without 
questioning its correctness, was to me the sourcepf nearly 
as many woes, as was to Greece ‘ - the wrath of Peleus’ 
son." One sportsman would say, “ Don’t shoot too quick ; 
be deliberate and cool; and be sure you cover your bi*d 1 
before you pull trigger.” Very excellent advice in its 
way, too; the only trouble is being able to do it, Know¬ 
ing the gentleman who proffered this advice to be an ex¬ 
cellent shot, I tried to follow it; and the result was, 
that by the time I succeeded in covering my bird, the 
bird had generally covered about one hundred paces and 
was out of danger. Seeing that I was on the wrong tack, 
I feel into the other extreme ; shot too quick ; and the 
ground over which I hunted had the same appearance as 
though a patent reaper had passed over it. As a last re¬ 
sort, I appealed to the oldest sportsman I knew, a veteran 
and an excellent shot, one whom I thought had certainly 
mastered the ethics of the profession. He told me to 
wait until the bird had got straight, and then, if shooting 
at a crossing bird, to hold on and to keep my gun mov¬ 
ing, and the lateral motion would be imparted to the 
charge of shot, thus throwing it forward enough to bal¬ 
ance the flight of the bird during the interval of the pas¬ 
sage of the shot from gun to bird. Of course, in shooting 
at a bird going straight away, no particular plan was 
recommended. I had, theretofore, believed it necessary 
to aim ahead of crossing birds : but after this I succeeded 
in getting all I had ever heard, or read, on the subject of 
■wing-shooting inextricably mixed, and the result was, 1 
verily believe I could not have touched a barn door 
sailing ever so deliberately through the air. At last, in 
sheer desperation, I cut loose from all preconceived ideas, 
all that I heard, and branched like “ Little Bullet ” into 
the wild field of experiment. Reasoning on the basis 
that I had a vague idea of k il li ng, 1 certainly expected 
my charges to make some of the most improbable angles 
known to the exact sciences. It is not necessary to de¬ 
tail here, the various steps by which I finally reached 
what I conceived to be the correct practice in wing- 
shooting. I will premises, without another disclaimer, 
however, I do not claim to be able to shoot; more than re- 
spectably. Unfortunately I labor under a misfortune 
which will forever preclude the hope of being a dead 
shot; but, when I miss a fair bird, I know that it is my 
fault, and not the fault of the principles I have adopted. 
Neither do I desire to antagonize the pet ideas of any 
other sportsman; I can merely recommend my plan as 
having proved satisfactory, to me, at any rate. 
My first injunction to a young sportsman would be : 
Leant to throw your gull just where you want it, and 
do this before you ever go into the field. Of course, if 
you can do this to begin with, so much the better; 
but I must say, that I have never known a single tyro 
who could do it. Try the experiment I have before 
mentioned ; place a target on the wall, and endeavor to 
cover it with your gun the moment it touches the 
shoulder, and be sure you fire on the instant. You can 
see after a few shots whether you have an inclination 
to throw too high, too low, or right, or left, and can 
remedy the fault. Continue this line of practice until 
you approximate perfection; besides, it will answer a 
good purpose in getting you rid of a kind of gun shyness, 
natural with every man. Alter you have done this, the 
next thing is to try your hand on something in motion ; 
anything that will not fall with too great a velocity 
when thrown into tlie air will answer. Commence on 
as nearly a perpendicular drop as possible; and, by aim¬ 
ing just under it, you will have the satisfaction of seeing 
that you have hit it very handsomely. Continue this, 
varied by an occasional straight-away shot, until you are 
satisfied you understand the principle involved, as well 
as the practice. It would be well to try to hit objects at 
the various angles, getting at last to square-across shots, 
remembering to a im always ahead of crossing objects, the 
distance ahead to be governed by the velocity of object, 
angle at which it is crossing, and distance away. A prac¬ 
tical test will best determine this, for strange as it may 
seem, the distance to aim ahead will vary with different 
men. Always keep in mind the first lesson learned, to 
shoot as soon as the gun gets level to the shoulder. 
Nothing is more disgusting than to see a man poking 
after an object with his gun; besides, such a one can 
never attain the same proficiency as a quick snap shot, to 
say nothing of the want of grace of such a sportsman. A 
thorough course in what I have mentioned, cannot often 
fail to make the beginner an expert in tbe kind of shoot¬ 
ing involved. I know that killing birds is quite another 
matter; but I am sure there can be no bett er introduction 
to the field than the plan recommended. Before intro¬ 
ducing the beginner to tbe serious part of hiB business, I 
cannot forbear a word on the contradictory theories ad¬ 
vanced as to the best way of hitting a crossing bird. 
It would seem to a casual observer, that there is very 
little room for differences. If one man, by holding on 
his birds, kills, how can it be that another man, who 
holds well ahead, does tbe same thing? It is certain that 
the law governing projectile forces cannot be changed to 
suit the caprices of each man. Can it be that what is 
known as personal equation, will account for the differ¬ 
ence? “While it is a fact I do not pretend to deny, tltat 
in one man volition precedes action but by an infinitesi¬ 
mal space of time, while in another the vital forces are 
slow and sluggish in their action, I am not disposed to 
think that this fact accounts altogether for the contra¬ 
diction in question. After making some allowance for 
this personal equation, which, as “I stated before, I am 
■willing to do. I am inclined to think that those who claim 
to hold on their birds are mistaken. Such sportsmen all 
admit, I believe, that they keep the gun moving until 
the moment of discharge. Now, as it is very difficult to 
keep the gun directly on a moving bird, by following it, I 
take it that, while claiming to hold on, the man actually 
holds ahead, of every bird he kills. As 1 prefer not to 
poke after my birds, I hold ahead, and sometimes have 
the satisfaction of seeing my bird fall. 
In my next, I propose to speak of what the young 
sportsman should do in the field. I am aware that I have 
inverted the order usually followed, in speaking of the 
sportsmau before the dog; but, in my opinion, a com¬ 
parison between the number of trained sportsmon, as 
compared with the number of trained dogs in our coun¬ 
try, is decidedly in favor of the dog. 
Cairo, Geo., Sept. 23d. 
Canada — Quebec, Oct. 25th . — Once more I sit down, to 
give you a few items of Quebec news. They are not very 
interesting or plenty just now, as our shooting has not 
been of much account this fall, with the exception of 
snipe; most other kinds of birds have been almost a fa.il- 
ure. Our ruffed grouse shooting is a thing of the past, as 
the abominable law passed in the Province of Quebec to 
suit a few interested parties,allowing the snaring of hares 
has almost exterminated this fine bird. Proof of this is 
very easy. Any one has only to exa mi ne the grouse ex¬ 
posed for sale in. the market, and out of every hundred 
birds looked over not one will be found that was shot, but 
all show the marks of the snare noose on the neck. This 
state of things is a crying shame and speaks ill for the 
sportsmen of this province, who do not bestir themselves 
and try and have the evil done away with or very much 
modified, so that our grouse may again have a chance to 
become somewhat plentiful. Woodcock have been fairly 
plenty, but nothing like the numbers of former years. 
Ducks we have had none as yet, except at the islands 
down the river some miles below the city. Snipe, as I 
said before, is the one exception to the general scarcity ; 
they have been very plenty, and large numbers have made 
a permanent stay here, especially about Grondines, and 
Chateau Richer beaches. Hares, as usual, are plentiful. 
No scarcity of them so long as the wire noose is allowed. 
Other kinds of game are not worth speaking about at all. 
Cat. Rouge. 
Connecticut.— Birmingham, Oct— The Pequots of this 
place went on their 20th annual hunt to-day, which will 
terminate on the following Tuesday night, with a grand 
supper and soiree. This party of gentlemen are over 
ready to take up the gun and go on the " war path ” for 
a battle with the birds. Buckeye. 
New York — Noi/ac, Oct. 281/).—A correspondent from 
the old Indian village, located four miles from Sag 
Harbor, on what is called tbe North Sea Shore, says of 
duck shooting in that place :— 
“ We have not had as good sport this month as usual 
with us in October, owing to the extraordinary mild 
weather we have had ; but the cold snap of Saturday and 
Sunday brought the birds to our bay in goodly numbers, 
and now tbe sport may be said to be in full operation. 
We have the Forester Club down here, and the members 
are enjoying tbe field exercise greatly. They have done 
a little in partridge shooting, and got Borne hares, and 
they are " laying low for black ducks ” every morning on 
the beach. But you don’t know what that sentence, “ on 
tbe beach,” implies. Well, I will tell you. There is a 
long, low strip of sand bank which joins tbe Wiggin’s 
Farm bere With the promontory known as “Jessup 
Neck,” and over this sand bank the ducks fly to and fro 
from Noyac Bay, even to Peconic, and back again. They 
generally rise up about daylight, and pass and repass un¬ 
til about nine in the morning. Those who go “ on the 
beach” start before daybreak, and, after having their 
luncheon they make a nest of tbe dry seaweed to lie 
down in — alike for comfort and to hide in — and there 
await the passage of the flight of the ducks. For the 
privilege of going on the beach, you have to pay a dollar 
toll to the Wiggin’s family, which is for the season. 
The quail are very plentiful here now, and there is 
going to be great sport on November 1st, when a regular 
regiment of shooters will take the field. To those coining 
here for ducks I would say, stop at Mrs. Haven’s, or at 
Pierson's; both are good comfortable boarding places. 
Tbe terms are six dollars a week at Mrs. Haven’s, or a 
dollar a day. They will send for you to the depot, if you 
notify them. 
Rochester, Oct.ZUh . — Woodcockshooting very good si ncc 
season opened. Weather during nesting period was favor¬ 
able, and tbe birds arrived at maturity in fair numbers. 
Some very satisfactory bags were made in August 
and September on tbe birds bred hereabouts, but tbe cream 
of the cock shooting baa been during the present month. 
Almost fabulous numbers of woodcock have been shot 
within a few miles of Rochester, both by men who shoot 
for 6port and those who turn tbeir game into money. 
Two of the latter class recently shot forty-seven fine 
cocks in the western part of this county in a day and a 
half. There is a belt of country running from the Genesaee 
River almost to the Niagara that was, and except when 
too much cultivated still is, one of the best regions for 
woodcock to be found anywhere. The stories the elder 
sportsmen tell regarding the number of birds shot there 
in their younger days, almost makes one regret that he is 
not a grey beard and sigh for the days that are past and 
gone. Time was when grey plover were here in millions 
every fall, but of late their visits are few and far be¬ 
tween ; a dozen birds would be regarded good shooting 
on lands where a hundred have fallen to one gun in a day. 
This year there have been very few shot here, the prevail¬ 
ing drouth not being favorable to them. Some of our best 
snipe grounds are as dry a.nd hard as the “ remainder 
biscuit of a sea voyage,” and I believe a dozen of my fav¬ 
orites have not in tlie aggregate been.brought to town this 
season; more is the pity say I. 
I have seen a great many quail within walking distance 
of this city, but what between clearing the woods, deep 
snows and innumerable good shots, there is scarcely a bob 
white in Monroe country. We are better off with ruffed 
grouse, that fine bird bolding possession of a few fastnesses 
in spite of a hundred enemies. This year mast is abund¬ 
ant, and the covies, or shall I say packs of grouse, are 
scattered, and the prospect is that he wliojshoots many 
will have to work hard. As I write, information comes 
that thousands of ducks are in tbe lake off our duck shoot¬ 
ing waters, the bays and ponds within fifteen miles of the 
of the city. A storm will drive them inland, and then 
big guns will find work to do. No geese flying yet. 
C. R. 
New Jersey. —Forked River, Nov. 1st —Riverside 
House .—Duck shooting has now fairly begun and a bag 
of twenty-five or thirty broadbills is no unusual day’s 
sport. Mr. Havens shot three fine geese one day last 
week within a few hundred yards of the house. AVe ane 
located at the best and most convenient point on Barne- 
gat Bay, within forty-five minutes sail of tbe gunning 
grounds. Being situated directly on the water, parties 
coming to the Riverside House avoid a long stage rifle, 
as at all other places on tliis coast. The prospects for fine 
quail shooting were never better in this section. A. 
AVisconsin. — Baraboo, Bov. 8th .—Ducks of all kinds 
are here in large numbers. J. H. Brewer and G. J. 
Train have just returned from a few day’B shoot at Crys¬ 
tal Lake, about fifteen miles from here, with a wagon 
box full of greenlieads, having had fine sport, being the 
first ones there this season. Tom Scott, Dan Miner, and 
Liman Potter, also had fine sport at ducks on the Cat¬ 
fish River near Wannakee. Some of the Madison sports¬ 
men are mourning over a lot of decoys that were shot at 
that day. Ed. H. 
—The duoks are still flying lively down on the island, 
and AVm. N. Lane’s bouse is crowded with gunners. 
There never has been so favorable a season for shooting 
in thirty years. 
MISSOURI STATE TOURNAMENT. 
Kansas City, Mo ., Oct . 2 Ath . 
Editor Forest and Stream :— 
Tlie sportsmen of the State were well represented at the 
Convention of the State Sportsmen’s Association, held 
in this city, Oct. 21st to 24th, by delegates from the fol¬ 
lowing clubs : Dardenne Shooting Club of St. Louis, St. 
Louis Gun Club and St. Louis Sportsmen’s Club, Pleasant 
Hill Club, Kansas City Amateur Gun Club, Kansas City 
Gun Club, St. Joseph Gun Club, and Trenton Rod anti 
Gun Club. The constitution of the Illinois State Sports¬ 
men’s Association was adopted. Tlie officers for the en¬ 
suing year are : President—Chas. G. Epperson, of Macon 
City Gun Club ; First Vice-President — Dabney Carr, of 
St. Louis Gun Club ; Second Vice-President—J. K. Stark, 
Kansas City Gun Club; Recording Secretary—J. S. Chase, 
Kansas City Amateur Club ; Corresponding Secretary — 
P. A. Smedley, Macon Gun Club; Treasurer—Paul 
Francke, St, Joseph Gun Club ; Board of Directors—B. F. 
Buzard (St. Joseph), H. 0. “West (St. Louis), AV. Williams 
(Macon), D. S. Hall (Kansas City), John F. McAfee (Pleasj 
ant Hill)—appointed by Vice-President Dabney Carr ; 
Committee on Rules and Regulations—Edgar Gainotte 
(Kansas City), Dr. AVashington (St. Louis), N. E. Barnes 
(St. Joseph), J.M. London (Macon), H. B. Brown (St. 
Louis). 
The shooting was exceptionally fine, the Missouri 
sportsmen showing themselves well able to cope with the 
expert shots from abroad, among whom were Messrs. S. A. 
Tucker and Buell Lamberson, who are well known as the 
agents of the Parker gun. The following summary of the 
work done makes an unusually creditable showing :— 
Tuesday, Oct. 21 sf.—Match at six single birds; 21 
yards; prizes of $50, $25, $15 and $10. Messrs. Tucker, 
Erb, jr.. Williams, AVerk, Jones, West, Hauworth, Mil¬ 
ler and Herskey tied on 6 straight, and again on 3 
straight at 26 yards ; Tucker. Hauworth and Hershey on 
S.stvaightat 31 yards; again, same conditions ; and Tucker 
and Hauworth a fourth time, finally dividing. McGee, 
Stockwell, Albright and Hall scored 5 each; McGee, 
Stockwell and Albright tied again on 3 at 26 yards, Mc¬ 
Gee winning with 3 at 81 yards. Bowles, Allen, O'Meara 
and Watson tied on 4 each ; Watson, Bowles and Allen 
again on 2 out of 3 at 26 yards, AVatson winning with 3 
at 31 yards. Lister and Patrick tied on 3 each, Lister 
winning shoot off at 26 yards with 3 straight. 
Second Match. —Ten single birds; 21 yards rise ; prizoa 
$90, $45, $30, $20 and $15 
Scott, Jones, McGee and Williams tied on 10, McGee 
winning shoot off with 3 straight at 26 yards. Under¬ 
wood, Werk, Smith, Lister, Fredericks and Stockwell tied 
on 9 ; Smith, Fredericks, Underwood, Lister and Stock- 
well again on 3 at 26 yards, and Smith and Fredericks 
divided on a tie of 3 at 31 yards. O’Meara, AVest, Allen, 
Watson, Hersey and Miller tied on 8; O’Meara, Miller, 
West and Hershey again on 3 at 26 yards, O'Meara win¬ 
ning with 3 at 31 yards. 
Third Mutch .—Ten glass balls ; 18 yards; prizes, $50, 
$25, $15 and $10 :— 
Erb, jr.. Lister and Allen tied on 10 each, Erb and Lis¬ 
ter dividing first on a second tie of 3 at 31 yards, Tucker, 
Hauworth, O’Meara, Smith and Williams having tied on 
9 ; O'Meara and Smith divided on a second tie of 3 at 21 
yards. Mallett, Davis, AVest and Miller scored 8 each; 
idler and Mallett tied again on 2 out of 3 at 21 yards : 
