FOREST AND STREAM. 



233 



GAME PROTECTION. 



Pensstlvaxia— Mf'ford, Pike Co.. Oct 18.— The annual 

 "confidence same" in order to entrap sporting visitors lias 

 been played this year in Pike county. The two market hunt- 

 ers of the village of Milford, however, pretty well cleaned 

 out local woodcock by the 3d July, and before' August, when 

 wqpdcocfe hunting was no bnger profitable, and two hotels 

 demanded game at all hazards, work was begun with chicken, 

 pheasants and every brood was decimated,' so that by even 

 Sept. 1, it was impossible to strike a nock anywhere, and the 

 birds were found single and very wild. The law for ruffed 

 grouse was up on the 1st inst., and on that day and up to the 

 16th inst. your correspondent, sought almost in vain for this 

 game. Not a single flock was seen either on the Sawkill, San- 

 vantine, Raymondstull, Dwarfskill, Dimmick Meadow Brook, 

 Deep Brook, Conasbaugh, Log Tavern Pond, Butternut Or- 

 chard, Sawkill Pond, and other resorts, showing that the 

 birds had been shot at continually before the law was up. 

 The bag for three ^uns for twelve days' hunting was twenty- 

 five pheasants and eleven woodcock. Of the latter five were 

 flight birds. There are but few pheasants between the Sho- 

 hola and the Paupack creeks, owing to the forest fires, and 

 the deer appear to have desertecf this region. There is a 

 deer in the neighborhood of Milford, but when hunted it 

 runs to Pond Eddy; and there are one or two deer in the Busk- 

 kil region between Dingtuan's Creek and the Big Busbkill. 

 There are some bear around the Knob on the borders of 

 Wayne County. Let Sportsmen give Jtr'ike county a wide 

 berth, then the hotel keepers will help to get up a sports- 

 man's club (the recent attempt was a failure, as the \'wire 

 cartridge " gentry wanted to get control), and will discounte- 

 nance market hunting out of season. By the by, the names of 

 the dog poisoners in this village arc known, and when the 

 proper time comes they will be taught a lesson. Amateur. 



[Remaeks — We are glad to know that in that portion of 

 Pike county which is preserved by the "Blooming Grove 

 Park Association,'' deer and ruffed grouse are sufficiently 

 abundant to afford good sport to members and other visitors. ] 



Fotistille, Oct, 22.— In a letter to your valuable jour- 

 nal of Aug. 1C, I stated that game of nearly every kind in 

 the county was very abundant, etc. I notice out sportsmen 

 starting early in the morning For the field of sport, but return- 

 ing inthe evening with little or no game. They say it isvery 

 scarce. Last week a party of us went on a hunting expedition 

 through the interior of the county expecting luck, but the 

 reward of our hunt amounted to two pheasants. Farmers told 

 us that during the miners' protracted strike, they came from 

 other counties, raided their farms and forests, and deer and 

 game of every kind have been almost totally destroyed. Our 

 sportsman's associations seem to be helpless in protecting game 

 and prohibiting unlawful shooting, etc. Only a few weeks 

 since a party (including several coal andiron policeman) shot 

 nearly two dozen pheasants on Sunday. The names of the 

 parties have been inquired for, and whoever they are, a fine 

 of ten dollars apiece for the birds, and twenty dollars for 

 hunting on Sunday is due from them to the County Treasury. 

 I have also been informed that a party shot on last Sunday 

 fifteen pigeons, and carried them through town as though they 

 defied the penalty of thelaw. Other parties have beenhabitii- 

 ally shooting robins and various insectivorous birds. Their 

 names have not as yet been made known, consequently no ar- 

 rests. Dom Pedko. 



— That the Philadelphia Sportsman's Club means business is 

 evident from the prosecutions instituted by them for violations 

 of the game laws. On Monday, Oct. 15th, they caused the 

 arrest of Phillip J. Lauber, of 24 South Fifth street, Phila- 

 delphia, for serving the guests of his restaurant with quail on 

 toast. Magistrate List fined him $ 10 and costs. 



ElsmSTQ in Cayuga Lake —A correspondent writing from 

 Schenectady under date of Oct 5th, says : 



Fishing was never so poor in Cayuga Lake as this year. I 

 camped there nearly two months this summer, aud know that 

 nearly every pefton residing on the lake fishes contraiy to the 

 statutes. It is an open secret among all classes. 



I myself saw numbers of beautiful trout which had been 

 taken with the gill nets. Everybody seems to justify the viola- 

 tions of the law"; they argue that the law is wrong— should 

 never have been enacted. "Why," they say, " should sports- 

 men's clubs, consisting of a few elegant gentlemen of wealth 

 and leisure, go to Albany and secure the enactment of a law 

 which shuts up the lake to a large number of people who had 

 always been accustomed to get a considerable fraction of their 

 daily food in this manner?" The beautiful lake has always 

 been free to them, why should these refined robbers snatch 

 away a right which they have enjoyed for so many years ? 



This is the prevailing sentiment, and it would be an immense 

 job to enforce the law. Meantime the attractions for sports- 

 men are growing smaller by degrees and beautifully less. 



THE SALMON FISHERIES OF CALI- 

 FORNIA. 



THERE is no fecundity so continuous aud vast as to supply 

 the waste of unremitting destruction, and although the 

 salmon of Oregon and Caliiomia have swarmed the rivers of 

 those States by millions, and are remarkable as being among 

 the most prolific of fresh water fishes, yet it has become ap- 

 parent already that they are rapidly diminishing in numbers 

 through theu- destruction out of season by unconscionable and 

 reckless fools, who look only to present gain, regardless of 

 future want and impoverishment. The penalty of $50 fine 

 for violation of the laws for governing fishing is no obstacle 

 whatever when the illicit profits of avarice are so largo as to 

 make the fine infinitesimal in comparison. There are promi- 

 nent aud wealthy firms whoso infraction of the laws is con- 

 stant and defiaut, and who sneeringly pay the fines as often as 

 imposed. The boldest of these is that of Emerson, Corville 

 & Co., who, it is said, can afford to pay a fine of $300 per 

 day for three months aud still make money by catching seed 

 salmon. There seems uo other way to reach these offenders 

 i iie:u7 to be onerous 



and then to impose it with a will. Ike subject is engaging 

 the serious attention of the journals of the Pacific coast, and 

 we are gratified to observe that there is a probability of the 

 abuses being pressed upon the attention of the Legislature at 

 its coming winter session. We have also had the pleasure of a 

 very intelligent and profitable interview with Mr. Horace F. 

 Dunn, of San Francisco, who is now in this city, relative to 

 the subject. It has taken but four years to destroy seven 

 millions of buffalo, and we can readily see that the same doom 

 which has nearly wiped their race from the plains awads the 

 salmon in their native streams unless immediate measures of 

 prevention are employed. There is something rotten in juris- 

 prudence or its application if these miserable offenders cannot 

 be reached and interdicted. They should be persecuted for 

 every infraction of the laws. The great difficulty in the way 

 of unremitting prosecution seems to be that no one seems to 

 think it his especial business to assume personal responsibility 

 iu the matter. The Fish Commissioners of California are 

 efficient, fearless and industrious men, but as tiny receive no 

 remuneration whatever, even for traveling purposes, they 

 cannot be espected to be very earnest iu undertaking risks and 

 incurring expenses for the public good. A system of paid 

 wardens, who will devote all their time to the business, and 

 whose duties shall be so carefully defined and guarded that 

 they cannot be bought by the law breakers, would seem to be 

 demanded as the one best calculated to accomplish the desired 

 work. In every State wherever there are game laws there 

 should also be game wardens and constables, just as iu cities 

 there are policemen to enforce the regulations for the public 

 peace and safety. 



MULE TRAITS. 



MULES are the offspring of horses and asses, and do little 

 credit to either parentage. From the horses they seem 

 to derive their heels, from the donkey their heads. All the 

 obstinacy of the ass, all the viciousness of the horse, in biief, 

 the poorest mental qualities of both, the mule rejoices in pos- 

 sessing. Nor is his stubbornness dignified aud patient ., eliciting 

 sympathy and commanding respect for the principle which if 

 seems to involve, as in the case of his progenitor, but uncer- 

 tain, intermittent and vexatious; it is active rather than pas- 

 sive. Moreover, you cannot overcome his natural depravity, 

 making him a gentle friend as you do your horse. A horse 

 that you have ridden long and attended with personal care 

 will learn to love you, whinny when he hears your voice, 

 respond by every equine congratulation to your caresses, pine 

 for you when dead. No mule ever would. Make a pet of a 

 mule and you ruin what little good there may be in him. Be 

 shot off his back in battle (if you could ever get him there) 

 and he would kick you as you fell, glad to be free, and run 

 away. I am speaking of the pack mules of the Becky Moun- 

 tains. I cannot venture, with Col. Sellers, to speculate upon 

 the m-e-w-1-s of the Mississippi bottoms. 



The Western pack-mule is small, sinewy, and, like old 

 Joey Bagstock: "Tough, sir! tough 1 but de-e-vlish sly!" 

 Most of them are bred from Indian ponies, and are born on 

 the open plains, where the herd has ranged during the winter. 

 Having previously been lassoed and branded, when three 

 years old they are driven or inveigled into a corral and exhibit- 

 ed for sale as bronchos. And they are wild ; an untamed 

 horse is a model of gentleness beside them. Sometimes they 

 are accustomed at once to the saddle, by one of those wonder- 

 ful riders who can stick on the back of anything that runs ; 

 rarely are they trained to the harness, but ordinarily' are 

 broken to the pack-saddle. The transportation of freight 

 through the mountains in wagons is generally impracticable. 

 Pack- trains of mules are therefore widely used everywhere on 

 the Pacific Slope. 



The first time the pack-saddles are put on there is an ex- 

 citing scene, as may be well be imagined. The green mule, 

 strong in his youth, having been adroitly lassoed, is led out 

 into an open space, stepping timidly, but, not seeing any 

 cause for alarm, quietly, and before he understands what it all 

 means, finds that a noose of the lariat about his neck has been 

 slippi d over his nose, and discovers that his foes have an ad- 

 vantage. He pulls, shakes his head and stands upright on op- 

 posite ends, but all to n) avail. The harder he pulls the 

 tighter the noose pinches, so he comes down and stands still. 

 Then a man approaches slo* T ly and circumspectly, holding 

 behind him a leather "blind" which he seeks to slip over the 

 mule's eyes. But too long ears stand in the way, and the 

 first touch of the leather is a signal for two jumps— one by 

 the mule and one by tbe packer, for packers are wise enough 

 to fight shy of the business end of a mule. The next. 

 attempt is less a matter of caution and more of 

 strength, and here the animal has so mucb the advan- 

 tage that often it must be thrown to the ground. ;It is 

 fine to see the indignation of such afellow ! He falls heavily, 

 yet holds his head high and essays to rise. But his fore-Feel 

 are manacled by 'ropes, aud his head is held. Yet he will get 

 upon his hind-feet, stand straight up and dash down with all 

 his weight in futile efforts to get free. Secured with more 

 ropes, allowed but three legs to stand upon, and cursed fright- 

 fully, he must submit, though never with good grace. It is 

 not always, however, that this extremity is resorted.'to. Some 

 animals make little resistance while the strange thing is put 

 upon theu- backs, and the fastenings adjusted, all but one. 

 When an effort is made to place that institution called a 

 crupper under a young mule's "narrative,," language fails to 

 express the magnificence of the kicking. The light heels de- 

 scribe auarc from the grouiici lo ten feet above it, and then 



strike out at a tangent. They cut through the air like whip- 

 lashes, and penetrate what they strike like a bullet. But 

 mule-flesh tires; strategy wins; the crupper is gained, and tl e 

 first hard pull made upon the sinch, (as the girth is termed ) 

 which holds firmly every hair's breadfh gained, and will finally 

 crease the contour of the mule's belly into the semblance of 

 Cupid's bow. But the mule is springing again, bucking now, 

 with arched back and head between his knees, landing on stiff 

 legs to jar his burden off,or falling full weight upon his side and 

 rolling over to scrape it free. He will sit on his haunches and 

 roll over backward ; will stand on his head and turn a sum- 

 mersault; finally will stand still, shaking with anger and ex- 

 haustion, and let you lead him away. He is conquered. 



Used from colthood to being with the herd, it is not difficult 

 to induce a company of pack-mules to keep together, and to 

 learn to follow a leader, or rather the bell that the leader 

 wears. If this leader is a horse, all the better. Mules will go 

 perfectly daft over a horse, and there are always fierce contests 

 the first day a train starts out as to which mule shall have the 

 coveted place next to the bell-horse. It often happens that 

 for weeks afterward the victor has to mantain his position hy 

 constant exercise of heels and teeth, wilb much squealing 

 and mulish profanity. I have seen two mules fight so inces- 

 santly for the place next the bell-horse, when feeding, that 

 they r forgot to eat all day. 



This point decided, the mules drop into Indiau file, each 

 keeping his chosen place in the line day after day, through tie 

 season, under ordinary circumstances. There is always a 

 vast amount of groaning and moaning, and the less heavily 

 they are packed the more they grumble. Plodding along in a 

 rapid walk very demurely, head down, eyes half closed, eais 

 monotonously wagging, you think they have forgotten all 

 their pranks, abandoned all their intentions of wickdness, and 

 you fall into an admiring contemplation of their exceeding 

 docility and sweetness. Meanwhile the saddle and load of a 

 certain little buckskin-hued, cayuse mule has been slipping 

 backward, and he, knowing it, has wiggled and swelled him- 

 self, and moved the skin of his belly until he has got far 

 enough through the sinch to tiy his experiment. With the 

 suddeness and agility of a a grasshopper Ju: gives a tremend- 

 ous leap toward one side, bucks high in the air a dozen 

 times in as many seconds, dancing about, kicking, stands 

 straight up on his hind legs and falls over backward ; then 

 he wrggles through the looseued girths until he can bring his 

 heels to bear, and kicks boxes, bags and bundles until the 

 saddle slips dowu his legs and confines them like a handcuff. 

 Next he rolls over, and quietly nibbles the grass within 

 reach waiting until you shall come aud release him. 

 Get a mule down thus, let Lim find himself fastened, and 

 he will lie perfectly still until you come to his assistance— will 

 often lie in the mud and drown unless you hold his head out 

 of the water for him. Getting themselves mired is a favorite 

 amusement with them, and those behind are morally sure to 

 rush in on top of their mates, floundering in the bog in spite 

 of all you can do. Their sagacity in some directions turns to 

 the most desperate stupidity in others. Very sure-footed in 

 crossing a stream, as elsewhere holding their place well against 

 the strongest current, and, able to swim ashore with their 

 burden intact, you have little anxiety so long as you can keep 

 the water out of their ears. But once the fluid enters those 

 furry receptacles, wits and courage desert the mules, and in- 

 stantly leaping into the river you mn-t drag, push, and earry 

 that animal to land if you value him or his cargo. Then stand 

 back white he shakes his head ! 



A mountain mule is very particular and private about his 

 ears, Those precious appendages must on no account be 

 trifled with. We had one mule whose head it was necessary 

 every morning to strap down to a log in order to put the 

 bridle on, all because she was so "touchy "' about her ears 

 while perfectly gentle in other respects The result was, she 

 .was compelled to wear a permanent bridle, tke bit alone beino- 

 taken off at night. Those restless ears are wonderf ullv ex- 

 pressive—a perpetual index to the animal's mind. When the 

 little beast lays them tightly upon its mane look out I It is 

 bent on mischief. When they are upright, and twisted back- 

 wards, there is supposed to be danger in the rear, and likely 

 enough yon will suddenly find yourself behind. When they 

 point straight forward guard lest you are shot over them • if 

 they are limber and waggish there is no telling whatever as to 

 the next move. Notwithstndiug this excessive delicacy, when 

 the flies are very thick you may lash their heads all day with 

 branches, and they will only thank you. 



If you can never gain the confidence of a mule, much less 

 does he merit yours. I have known one to carry his rider in 

 the most exemplary manner for hundreds of miles, and then 

 one morning begin a series of evil antics and develop an un- 

 ruliness as uncomfortable as it was unexpected. They are 

 forever doing something surprising, pulliug heroically through 

 real difficulties to tamely give up before some sham obstacle 

 immediately afterward, terror-stricken at nothing, and un- 

 manned at what you naturally supposed w r ould stampede them 

 with fright. Mules natuially are timid, and absurdly so. If 

 one scares all the rest are frightened. A piece of black wood 

 like the embers of an old camp fire, will cause almost any 

 mule to shy. A certain shaped boulder was invariably re- 

 garded with distrust by one I used to ride. Raf tlesnakes they 

 hold in just abhorrence; bears paralyze them with terror; 

 Indians they cannot be spurred to approach. 



Mules are social beings. They become so accustomed to 

 being together and following the hell-horse that you may trust 

 then staying with him as far as you can trust Ihem at ail It 

 iueiple that all pack I 



