FROM THE GAME FIELDS. 



465 



is not done at once to protect our game 

 it will soon go the way of the buffalo and 

 the wild pigeon. 



Small game in this section is scarce, but 

 is increasing. I have just learned that 

 some Italians living near used a ferret 

 last fall for rabbits. I was away from 

 town all last season, and could not watch 

 for them, but you can bet high there will 

 be fun next season if they do any more of 

 their dirty work. There was a man, or 

 hog, here a few years ago who boasted of 

 killing over 75 rabbits with a ferret. I 

 think he lied fluently, for nobody ever saw 

 him with many rabbits, but a short time 

 after he told that story someone was good 

 enough to kill his varmint. Served him 

 right, too. Pity someone did not catch 

 him using his ferret and pinch him hard. 



Charles Rupert, Oakmoat, Pa. 



Information was brought to the city which will give the 

 greatest pleasure to local sportsmen. A farmer from near 

 Lowell was in a local gun store and said that on his farm 

 there is a Hock of about 40 wild pigeons. They came there 

 several weeks ago and he has been watching them ever 

 since. William Woodworth, who was for many years at 

 the head of a sporting goods department in a local store, 

 confirms the report with the statement that in his cabin at 

 the West Bridge street ferry, he has four pigeons. They 

 came there several weeks ago and he built a little cote for 

 them on the roof. They took possession ai:d seem to have 

 come to st iy. 



It has been years since wild pigeons have been seen in 

 this part of the country. Many years ago they were in 

 flocks of thousands, and sportsmen from all over the 

 country came to Michigan to shoot them. They were 

 bagged in great numbers, taken in nets and traps and in a 

 few years were entirely exterminated. The reports that 

 the birds are coming back will attract attention, there- 

 fore, and as they are fast breeders, thettockmay become 

 replenished. Pigeons are now protected by law and the 

 game wardens will give special attention to them. — Lowell 

 (Mich.) Exchange. 



The example of these gentlemen in try- 

 ing to save a few pigeons from thought- 

 less hunters, should be emulated by every 

 sportsman in the country who sees a flock 

 of pigeons. All the States should pass 

 laws putting a 10 years' close season on 

 wild pigeons and meantime all shooters 

 should respect and preserve them as they 

 would butterflies. — Editor. 





Last winter I had a shooting trip, shared 

 by Frank Griswold and Henry Fry, of 

 Hammondsport, N. Y. ; Henry Russell, and 

 H. R. Phillips, of Penn Yan, N. Y., and R. 

 Hall, of Poolsville, Md. 



We arrived in Bell Haven January 27. 

 Next morning we took the schooner En- 

 terprise for Lake Comfort, at head of 

 Juniper bay, Hyde county. North Carolina. 

 We arrived at Juniper bay Friday night, 

 after a sail of 40 miles. Saturday it 

 snowed terrifically. Sunday fair; Monday 

 we were in good season for quails, and had 

 fair shooting. Bagged over 40. 



Then came the doleful part of it; rain 

 and snow, almost a blizzard, for 3 weeks.. 

 Mattamaskut lake froze tight, which drove 



the ducks to the farm ditches in great 

 numbers. We killed 118 in 2 days, and 

 quit. Could not get into the woods for deer 

 on account of the water; everything was 

 afloat. As soon as the ice broke up in Al- 

 bemarle sound, we skipped for home, vot- 

 ing 3 days' hunt in 3 weeks pretty slim. 

 We had a few copies of the best sportsmen's 

 magazine printed, Recreation, to while 

 the time away. 



H. R. Phillips, Penn Yan, N. Y. 



I wish to ask some brother sportsmen, 

 through Recreation, about the game of 

 Wisconsin. 



1. In what part of the State are the best 

 trapping grounds for bears, wolves, cats, 

 and smaller game, such as minks, otters, 

 fishers, etc.? 



2. Is a 38-55 Marlin large enough cali- 

 ber to take to the woods there, for big 

 game? 



3. How is trapping in Sawyer and ad- 

 joining counties? 



4. Are there any panthers or cougars in 

 Wisconsin? 



I should like to correspond with some 

 trappers and hunters in Northern Wis- 

 consin on this subject. 



Although the severe winter has been 

 hard on our game here, there are still 

 some grouse and rabbits left. I have seen a 

 good many squirrel tracks in the snow, 

 and there will be plenty of them next sea- 

 son, if the nut crop does not fail us. 

 There were a few quails, but the cold was 

 too much for them. Grouse abundant. 

 Leather Stocking, Oakmont, Pa. 



I beg to notify you that the organization 

 of the Rainy River Hunting Club is com- 

 plete. Ten kindred spirits have organized 

 ourselves into a club and have equipped 

 a permanent camp, on the Rainy river, in 

 Northern Perry sound, with canoes, 

 stoves, acetylene gas plant, etc., employing 

 a resident guide to look after same during 

 our absence. Most of us hunted in that 

 locality last November with such satis- 

 factory results that we decided on the 

 above organization. We held our first an- 

 nual business meeting at St. Catharines 

 in April last; completed constitution and 

 by laws and elected officers for the 

 dent, Berlin ; Dr. F. Killmer, vice-presi- 

 dent, St. Catharine's; S. L. Doolittle, sec- 

 retary-treasurer, Ingersoll. The meeting 

 was most harmonious, and as all our mem- 

 bers were selected with care and are thor- 

 ough sportsmen, we anticipate many pleas- 

 ant November outings in our Northern 

 camp. 



S. L. Doolittle, Ingersoll, Ont. 



I am spending the winter in the woods 

 of Northern Maine, at the Grand Lake 



