c> 



* 



SOS 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Mat 16. 1888. 



■would ring out, occasionally, on the still morning air, the 

 "Little 'un" getting his work in whenever an opportunity 

 afforded. Thus the good time continued throughout the 

 day till the sun was low in the west, when we started for 

 the wagon, exceedingly well pleased with our second day's 

 hunt. The third day we weTe joined by the doctor, and it 

 was a repetition of the day before, finding birds quite plenty 

 and making a. good bag. 



Thus closed one of the mo3t enjoyable hunts the writer 

 ever experienced. Here let mo say it is a mistake to sup- 

 pose, as some do, that woodcock "draw" only moonlight 

 nights. Seeing very little or no "chalk marks*" on our sec- 

 ond day, and some of the party having hunted this piece a 

 few days before, which then proved blank, we felt perfectly 

 satisfied that they came down the night before, during the 

 heavy rain. Experience has taught the writer that the 

 weather North controls the flight of woodcock, and the 

 moon has but little if anything to do with it. Pall wood- 

 cock shooting possesses a fascination not excelled. Sports- 

 men probably experience more gratification in the display of 

 a good bag than they would in the exhibition of a larger 

 number of any of our other game birds. W. H. Pierce. 



A DAY IN THE WOODS ALONE. 



ONE who has been accustomed to the company of good 

 whole-souled sportsmen while hunting and has for his 

 company men who make a day in the woods pleasant and 

 agreeable, has a feeling of sadness take possession of him 

 when he is placed alone with nature as his only friend and 

 companion. It happened to the writer in this way a week 

 ago. Having some business to attend to over in the bottom 

 land bordering the great Pather of "Waters, I started out with 

 gun and dog safely stowed away in my buggy. Everything 

 was arranged the night before .with a whole-souled "friend 

 who was to join me in my hunt. Arriving at his house I 

 learn he lias some urgent business to attend to which will 

 occupy his time until it will be too late to think of his join- 

 ing me on the shooting grounds for that day. So bidding 

 him afarewell I start on my journey alone, which will take 

 me some three hours to accomplish, as I have about fifteen 

 miles to cover, and a portion of my road is not of the very 

 best one could wish for, but I finally reach my destination 

 in good shape, transact my business, and drive over to the 

 timber bordering Bear Creek bottom. 



Leaving my horse safely tied, I start with gun and shells, 

 and head for a favorite point on a chain of lakes and sloughs 

 some three hundred yards off. Before reaching the said 

 point, I raise a pair of mallards some fifty yards ahead of 

 me; it is a nice shot as the}' raise in comparatively open 

 ground. In an instant my gun is at my shoulder and has 

 covered the greenhead; he drops at the crack of my right 

 barrel, while his mate at the crack of my left rises fully 

 twenty-five feet in the air. As I watch her and am wonder- 

 ing why I should have scored such a miss, she drops dead 

 within three feet, of where the greenhead lies. Stowing the 

 pair away in the spacious pockets of my well worn Holla- 

 bird, I resume my tramp leisurely. 



As I near my stand I am successful in bagging a brace of 

 green-wing teal, and on such a start I flatter myself with the 

 thoughts of a large bag for the day. At last I reach my 

 stand; and in a few minutes am nicely seated behind a 

 hastily constructed blind ready for the birds to show them- 

 selves. 



Being well supplied with shells and lunch, and having as 

 good a point as there is within five miles of me, I have every 

 expection of some fine sport. After waiting about an hour 

 and getting rather lonesome, as the birds do not fly at all 

 well, I lay my gun in front of me where I can have full 

 command of it, and take from my pocket a memorandum 

 book which I have kept for nearly thirteen years, and is a 

 part of my hunting suit, and contains truthful accounts of 

 successful and unsuccessful days of sport in the pursuit of 

 game birds and fish, of many days that have been spent in 

 the forest, on the stream and prairie with well-tried friends 

 that years have scattered far and wide. Some now are many 

 miles away, and as I now write, the warm rays of the spring 

 sun is making the graves of others green. As I turn from 

 page to page and note those brief jottings, my thoughts 

 wander back to those by-gone days, and how vivid do some 

 of those notes come to my mind, as if they were but ha'ppen- 

 ngs of yesterday, although they cover so many years of time 

 and miles of country. Here is one item that reads: "April 

 23d, out with B. at Willow Grove, my bag for the day 

 twelve green wing teal, sixteen Wilson snipe, one chicken- 

 hawk. B.'s bag, five greenwings, he being taken with head- 

 ache had to stop shooting. Weather warm and clear. Met 

 German friend who was not very anxious to kill squirrel be- 

 cause he thought 'she had eggs." How well do I remember 

 that day. That is when I got the hawk and teal in one shot. 

 That was the finest sight 1 ever saw, the teal were flying 

 nicely; time, 5 P. M. ; weather, everything one could desire 

 for that time of year. 



I was in my blind well concealed watching the movements 

 of the hawk gracefully sailing to and fro just out of range 

 watching his chance for an evening meal. Not twenty yards 

 from me on the edge of a favorite feeding place (a shallow 

 lake) I had placed eight or ten teal as decoys. On looking 

 to my left I saw some three or four teal coming my way, 

 and as they near mc they poise in air ready to make my 

 decoys a call. I do not shoot as I am anxious to see what 

 the hawk will do. Like a flash of lightning he darts in on 

 them, striking one as it battles for life and tries to evade the 

 deadly talons, but it is too late, and at the stroke the poor 

 little bird drops nearly dead. The hawk rises a few feet in 

 air, and as he is gracefully descending after his coveted prize 

 my gun sends forth its death missile and he drops dead beside 

 his dying prey. It was really a beautiful picture and I shall 

 never forget it. 



During the morning of that same day 1 heard some half 

 dozen shots fired in a small piece of timber I had to pass 

 through to reach a favorite snipe ground. As I was wonder- 

 ing what the shooting was about, I met an old German, 

 when the following conversation took place: 



"What do you find to shoot in here?" 



"Oh, veil, 1 see a little squairel and I dinks I shoot him." 



I remarked, "You should not shoot squirrel at this time of 

 the year," when he said, "Yaw, so I dinks; I be glad I not 

 Id 11 him; I expact she got eggs." 



Ordinary politeness was due the old man, but it was 

 necessary for me to leave him on short notice, and when I 

 told B. about it at lunch that day hi3 headache immediately 

 left biro. 



As I turn my notes over leaf after leaf, my eye rests on 

 woodcock shooting on the Bay Island with H 8., of which 

 you have heard. Closely following comes an entry of turkey 



camp on the creek and in the hills of Shelby county, 

 Missouri, of the twelve fine turkeys, the large bags of quail, 

 ruffed and pinnated grouse we captured during that week, 

 and also of the 'coon hunt we had that one week would 

 make quite an article of itself. 



As 1 continue on through my jottings I see that I am 

 within fifty yards of the spot where last fall I killed fifteen 

 mallard ducks in twenty minutes. Had been out for the 

 afternoon, was on my way home and at the time had five 

 ducks; stopped with the above success, and was compelled 

 to leave on account of darkness. I also see notes of two 

 days among the bluewings, of which you have also heard. 

 _ In summing up I notice that the past fall and winter shoot- 

 ing on water fowl has been by far better than any in the past 

 thirteen years of my record. I notice my memorandum 

 book shows signs of having been wet, and also see an entry 

 that runs as follows: "Nov. 15, 1881. Out for the afternoon 

 with J. S. C. on Rock Creek. Water very high, bottom 

 lands all flooded, corn standing uncut, ducks plenty and very 

 fat, feeding on standing corn; shot one mallard, made mis- 

 step while in water two and one-half feet deep among stand- 

 ing corn, fell and got nicely soaked. Left J. S. C, doing 

 good work, and repair to farm house to dry out. Stay there 

 until he comes up at dark, when we drive home." I look at 

 my watch and see I have spent just one hour with my notes, 

 and I carefully place my book in my pocket, and think I am 

 on the. ground to-day alone where I have spent so many 

 happy days with friends that time has brought such changes 

 to. 



It makes one feel sad to be left alone with his notes of by- 

 gone days before him, with ample, time for reflection and 

 consideration, and to think what time has done for him in 

 those years. 



But the appearance of a flock of greenwing teal put all 

 meditation to flight, as they circle past me, and as I fire both 

 barrels at them at forty-five yards, and score a grand miss at 

 the rapid flyers, who could say one word in reproach of one 

 who had his mind for over one hour on the subject of his 

 past thirteen years' experience. 



As there is very little shooting on my stand, I conclude to 

 take a hunt for some snipe, so placing in a convenient pocket 

 some shells loaded with snipe shot, I start for a favorite 

 ground where I have bagged some goodly numbers in a few 

 hours' work. 



I have walked about a mile, and so far have seen no snipe, 

 and my dog has been doing some fine work in quarterinsr, in 

 fact, has worked the ground so well that I knew there were 

 no snipe about. At last he comes to a staunch point on the 

 edge of a patch of brush; as I near him he acts rather strange, 

 and I imagine, he is pointing a crippled duck. As I reach his 

 side there rises within a few feet of him a ruffed grouse: my 

 gun, like a flash, is at my shoulder, but in an instant I recog- 

 nize the beautiful bird, and am glad for once that I am alone, 

 and when I look at my feet my dog is lying flat on the 

 ground, and has just raised his head looking at me in perfect 

 amazement, as much as to say, why don't you shoot, and 

 all through the day seems to think, it is hardly worth while 

 to do much work, for if I find game yon don't shoot it; the 

 last time I found you those birds you shot them, but now 

 you don't seem to care for them, I don't hardly see into this. 

 Poor dog, he don't understand the meaning of close season. 

 I find no snipe at all, it being rather early for them, so I 

 start on my return trip to my stand, and am successful in 

 bagging one greenwing teal, 'it is now time for mo id re- 

 turn to my buggy and start homeward. As I reach the bluff 

 road the sun is just setting behind a beautiful dark red cloud 

 which lines the western horizon. Thus closes a rather unsuc- 

 cessful day alone in the woods. St. C. 



QtTINCY, ni. 



A TRIP TO NOVA SCOTIA. 



THE cost of a trip to the best hunting grounds of this 

 province would depend very much upon the parties 

 themselves, and the style they wanted to do it iu. However, 

 I will try and give the outlines, by which "Constant 

 Reader" will have some idea of the trip. 



First, the best hunting ground in Nova Scotia is the Lis- 

 comb Lake country in Guysboro county. H "C. R." will 

 look back over the Fokest and Stream, in the issue of 

 January 20th, 1881, he will find a letter written by me 

 headed "Novft Scotia Game," which touches upon some 

 points upon which he wants information. The best time for 

 moose, caribou and bear hunting is in the fall; the season 

 for moose and caribou opens September 15. It is then 

 rather late in the season for fishing, but fair sport can be 

 had on the lakes; and there is generally a run of sea-trout 

 up the rivers in September. There is choice of two routes 

 by water, one via the Cromwell Line direct to Halifax, run- 

 ning, 1 think, fortnightly; and the other via the Nickerson 

 Line from Boston, via Halifax, Pictou and Chatlottetown, 

 Prince Edward's Island, The fares by these boats to Hali- 

 fax, I think, would be about the same, say $15; but 1 would 

 prefer the Nickerson Line, as there the sportsman could land 

 at Pictou, and would have only nine miles of railway travel, 

 against 100 miles if he landed at Halifax, which is a consid- 

 eration if he brings all his camping equipments. A license 

 is necessary and will cost $30. Guides will be required, 

 rate from $1 to $1.50 per day; but would recommend an 

 arrangement say $1 per day and a bounty of $5 for each 

 head of large game brought to bag. This I have found to 

 work well. Guides can be procured either at Halifax or in 

 this locality, and should "Constant Reader" conclude to pay 

 us a visit, if he writes to me I will endeavor to secure the 

 services of as good men as the country affords. The game 

 consists of moose, caribou, bear; tie birds are ruffed grouse 

 in the woods; the fish principally trout. Am not aware of 

 and descriptive guide published. Below is a list of v/hat the 

 probable cost of a three weeks' trip would be: Pare from 

 New York to Halifax and return, $30; license, $30; fare from 

 Halifax to Hopewell or New Glasgow, via I. C. Railway, 

 $3; guide, 18 days say, $20; man to cut wood, cook and 

 keep camp, $18; team to and from New Glasgow to hunt- 

 ing ground, distance 28 miles, $20; hire of canoe or boat, 

 $S"i total $127. 



If much luggage had to be taken into the woods a team 

 mieht be reqiured to carry it to where it could be put into 

 the canoes. This would cost $3 more. It would depend 

 very much from what point the party started from whether 

 a team would be required or not. Provisions can be taken, 

 or can be got here or at Halifax, which ever the party thinks 

 best. Orders can be sent on and the dealers will have all 

 ready packed on arrival, so that no delay will occur. In 

 putting down the fare at $30 from N. Y. to Halifax, this is 

 the outside figure; and probably during the season excursion 

 tickets can be got at a much less figure. Globe Sight. 



Sensible Words.— Mr. Willis D. Maier, in his Fin and 

 Feather, has this to say about farmers and sportsmen: "A] 

 farmer can stand a good deal, is good-natured, will afford 

 every facility to a gentleman to obtain sport, but he cannot i 

 stand everything. He cannot run around every day or two i 

 and spend time in hunting up and mending his fences, that 

 have been torn down for no earthly use whatever. Nei ther can 

 he be expected to be continually regulating rail piles that have , 

 been scattered all over creation, forasinglerabbit, Manyarod I 

 of fence, many a hay stack, and lots of fine timber have been 

 lost to him by the carelessness of a certain class of h'inters; \ 

 who, without any oDjeet, save destruction, overrun farms I 

 and ruin everything in then- path, thereby creating a. preju- 

 dice for which the innocent must suffer. We venture to say 

 that there is not a member of the organized clubs of this 

 city, or any man that loves to hunt for sport, that is, or i 

 would be guilty of committing any of the above-mentioned 

 depredations, nor counsel them, but on the other hand, would 

 gladly assist in punishing the marauders, could they be 

 identified. The duty of the true sportsman is one in com- 

 mon with the farmer, to work for the interest of both, and 

 wipe out these pests that bring field sports and privileges 

 into disrepute. Treat the farmer as a gentleman and he 

 will follow suit. Treat his property when you are near it as 

 if it was your own and you will have no trouble. They I 

 have rights which you are bound torespect, and sooner or later 

 this will be done by consent or force. It stands us all in j 

 hand, the farmer and the sportsmen, to work for the common 

 good of both ; treat each other civilly, willingly and faith- 

 fully obey the laws. We should do'as we wish to be done I 

 by. We should not ask more than we should be willing to I 

 grant under similar circumstances. " This strikes us 

 very sensible kind of talk. 



Ruffed Grouse in Maine. — My youth was passed in 

 Kennebec and Franklin counties, Maine. During that time 

 this favorite bird was very plenty in both counties. As you 

 and your readers are aware, I now spend a portion of each 

 autumn in those counties. From '75 to '80 I found in Kenne- 

 bec county but very few ruffed grouse, but in '81 I had some 

 days of excellent shooting of this game. During some of I 

 these years I had fine sport in Franklin county anil bagged a 

 large number. Last year, in Franklin county, and particu- 

 larly between Smith's house at Eustis and Tim Pond, and 

 more especially from Tim Pond to the Seven Ponds, I found 

 "partridges," as the natives call them, more plenty than 1 

 ever found them in either county thirty years ago. In fact I 

 they were so common and so tame it lessened the sport of 

 shooting them. A letter just received from Kennedy Smith 

 informs mc that they have wintered unusually well and 

 should they be fortunate in rearing their young, they will be 

 found still more numerous the coming season! I am unable 

 to account for these disappearances and re-appearances. 

 Squirrels were very plenty in these forests in '7U and have 

 been very plentiful ever since. Smith also writes that he 

 has spent much time and money improving and repairing 

 the roads to the above mentioned ponds and also built several 

 new cabins at both of these now favorite resorts. The open 

 season for trout began the first of this mouth and a large 

 number of sportsmen have already engaged accommodations 

 for their enticing sport.— J. W. "T. (New Britain.; Conn 

 May, 1882.) 



Cazenovia, N. Y., May 13.— The Cazenovia Gun Club 

 held its annual meeting May 9, and the following officers 

 were elected: Geo. 0. Brown, President; Dr. J. F. Phelps, 

 Vice-President; Will Thomas, Secretary; W. J. Dwyer, 

 Treasurer; Dr. H. Foord, George Atwell,"and H. J. Mather, 

 Ex. Committee. The balance in the treasurer's hands 

 was on the right side, but not so large as it might be. Dr. 

 E. C. Bass promised a prize of mounted birds on a shield for 

 Dwyer, Thomas and Cruttenden to shoot for, as they cannot 

 shoot for the club badge; Will. H. Cruttenden gives a badge 

 for the best average; Charles F. Morse 124 pounds of pow- 

 der for the next best; H. J. Mather a pair of beautiful stag 

 horns to the one making the poorest score ; all to shoot from 

 18yds., Card's trap and Card's rules; tics shot off at 21yds. ; 

 shooters to bo at three-quarters of the shoots to win either 

 prize. J. W. Livingstone, formerly with Parker Bros., 

 Conn., has rented the upper floor of M. E. Card's shop, and 

 is to move his machinery and tools from Syracuse into it, 

 aud will soon be able to do all kinds of gun repairing. We 

 are glad he. has come, and hope he may be successful.— Ham- 

 mekless. 



Philadelphia Notes. — May 12. — It has been raining 

 here for the past four or five days and at the present writing 

 the clouds are still heavy, the wind from a bad quarter of the 

 compass and there is every prospect of a continuance of the 

 storm. Our meadows along the Delaware River and creeks 

 flowing into it are under water in many places owing to the 

 heavy tides we have lately had, and altogether the past week 

 has been a dreary one. There will be a tremendous flight of 

 brown backs and robin snipe as soon as this rain is over, and 

 those that are fond of spring shore bud shooting cannot but 

 fail to find plenty of birds on the New Jersey and Long 

 Island coast when it clears. English snipe 'have almost 

 entirely gone. A few very fat aud already mated birds re- 

 mained the first of the week but the rain has doubtless started 

 the lingerers northward. None nowadays remain with us to 

 breed. Some Sora rail do, however, nest in our Delaware 

 marshes, but they are not so numerous as formerly. — Homo. 



The Comtng of Lord Baltimore. — Boston, May 5. — 



Lord Baltimore, the fire-hang bird, arrived this morning, and 

 I had a jolly time with him. For eleven years I have 

 watched this glorious fellow coming. He never has come 

 before until the blossoms of the fruit trees were open, and 

 many a morning in May I have said to my wife, "The cher- 

 ries are in full bloom, I heard Lord Ball imore just now" 

 And sure enough, we would find on looking out that we had 

 a snowstorm iu emerald, though when we retired no amount 

 of blossoms were to be seen. This year no sign of ah 

 has appeared so far, save on a couple of apricot, trees very 

 faintly. I think we get the. same birds year after year, for 

 they will answer my call and come in to the tree's nearest 

 me. "without fear. — S. 



shooting on the banks of the Troublesome Creek, of a week s I New Glasgow, Nova SooHa, 1883. 



St. Louis Gen Club.— St. Louis, May 9.— At an election 

 had yesterday for officers for the St. Louis Gun Club, Jno. 

 W. Munson was made President; L. D, Dozun. V ; 

 dent; Wm. A. Albright (re-elected), Secretary and Treasurer; 

 D. A. Marks and J. Hopkins, members of the Board of 

 Managers, The club appropriated seventy -five dollars to 

 the Sedalia, Mo.. State tournament— Wm. A A.t .bright. 



