118 THE OREGON SPORTSMAN 
PLEA FOR A STATE RIFLE ASSOCIATION 
Continued from Page 114 
a desire for clean thoughts and fresh air; trains the powers of observa- 
tion, gives him a general knowledge of bird and animal life and in fact 
all things indigenous to the open. ‘The country boy naturally acquires 
a great deal of this as he is constantly in contact with both flora and 
fauna; but what of a lad born and raised in a city—his horizon is 
limited to the city zoo (if the city of his residence is blessed with one) 
and street railway terminals. Of course he becomes familiar with the 
English sparrow, domestic pigeon and possibly the energetic robin which 
hds practically become domestic; but little does he know regarding 
the many varieties of wild life tor which our country is the habitat; 
where, when and how their offspring are raised and whether migratory 
or permanent. Can he tell the nest of a turtle dove from that of an 
oriole, why the woodpecker has a predilection for dead trees and tele- 
‘phone poles, or name a bird by its call or song? A dead snake or mouse 
impaled on barb wire or sharp limb tells the out-of-door lad at a glance 
that brother shrike has been foraging; likewise, he knows when the 
wild duck begins his annual migration; where the pheasant or quail 
can be found at certain seasons of the year and why it is necessary to 
approach wild animals against the wind; in truth, he is an ardent 
student of human nature, unconsciously, and is laying a firm foundation 
upon which to build broad, noble, self-reliant mahood. 
Owing to the scarcity of big game in most portions of the United 
States the rifle has largely been supplanted by the shotgun and it also 
can in time but follow the same fate, as small game is gradually 
decreasing. Blue rock shooting will to a certain extent prevent the 
shotgun from being entirely discarded but it is a somewhat expensive 
pleasure and thus barred for those of moderate means. 
Are we destined to degenerate from a people who were at one 
time, and not so very long ago, the finest riflemen in the world, to 
one of little or no skill? Basing our judgment on past history and 
present conditions, the answer can only be in the affirmative. 
Our government has been particularly dilatory in a recognition 
of these facts in the past, or if ‘‘the powers that be’’ did realize how 
rapidly we were retrogressing in this line they were either torpid, 
afflicted with red tapeitis or failed to appreciate its importance to us 
individually and as a nation. Within the last few years, however, a 
gradual awakenng has supplanted our previous state of lethargy and 
somnolence, due in a great measure to the constant admonitions of 
the National Rifle Association, which has in itself taken on new life 
with greatly increased membership and ramifications to all parts of 
the Unted States. Citizen rifle clubs have been formed in many cities 
and villages, the members of which are both active and enthusiastic; 
these clubs are as a general thing affiliated with the National Rifle 
Association, thus securing the privilege of purchasing arms, ammuni- 
tion and equipment from or through the government at a greatly reduced 
price, besides securing an allotment of free ammunition for each member. 
The War Department, and primarily Congress, not having appre-- 
ciated the benefits that would accrue from the encouragement of marks- 
manship among its citizens, has been particularly parsimonious in its 
treatment of rifle clubs in comparison with that which it should have 
accorded; and, while lovers of rifle shooting have persisted in spite 
of discouragements and ponderous department service, hundreds of 
men and boys have been intimidated and deterred from joining the 
National Rifle Association. 
A bill, drawn by the National Board for Promotion of Rifle Practice, 
much more generous and encouraging than any heretofore existing, 
was carried in the army appropriation act submitted to the last Congress, 
