348 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[Noy, 27, 1884. 
demands that we legislate for the visiting sportsman regard- 
less of natural Jaws, that we should feel.a little ruffled is 
perfectly natural, I think, 
We are proud of our Fish and Game Commissioners, and 
we have aided them in our feeble way and have the satisfac- 
tion of seeing our forests again being restocked, but they are 
not ‘‘teeming,” nor are they one-fiftieth restocked to their 
full capacity. Maine has an army of sportsmen residing in 
her cities and Jarge towns who are ready to pay for the 
privilege of speuding their vacations in the woods with their 
friends residents of these favored regions, and more, pay taxes 
to protect the same. It is the residents whe protect and see 
that the Commissioners are aided. 
We understand perfectly the obstacles to protection—mar- 
ket-hunting, degging, crust-hunting, jacking aud summer 
poaching by visiting sportsmen and senseless. guides. 
We fully agree with Mr. Wells that the surplus of our 
game should not be killed by the market-bunters, but that 
the visiting sportsmen should have it—that the profit to the 
State would be much greater, but we do feel that they should 
not undertake to advocate for us legitimate methods of 
hunting it. Jacking we cannot tolerate, Let us use caution 
in our legislation. OLD Tus. 
Macsras, Me,, Noy, 18. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
No law that Iam acquainted with, either in the United 
States or in Canada, according to my views of protective ; 
legislation, is sufliciently stringent in its provisions, even 
were ifs provisions enforced. A buck with velvet on his 
horns, a fawn with white spots, or a doe giving milk, and as 
poor as a crow, ought not to be killed in September, and in 
September such can generally be found, Fawns are scarcely 
independent of their mothers even on the first of October. 
Bueks are at their best then, although does which have 
reared fawns are still thin. My opinion of the correct legal 
season, would be from the 15th of October until the 15th of 
December, and much heavier penalties than exist in any law 
in the States or in Canada. The most deadly mode of legiti- 
mate deer hunting is that pursued by the still-hnnter, I have 
known a single sfill-honter with an old-fashioned rifle to 
kill a greater number of deer than were killed during the 
same season on the same river—the Madawaska—by several 
parties aggregating twenty men with forty hounds. Crust 
hunting is diabolical and contemptible, and what is called 
fire or jack-hunting, is simply atrocious. Both modes should 
be discountenanced and frowned down. Jack-hunting is the 
primitive muzzte-loader, dug-ont old system of fire-hunting. 
According to the principles of the scientific mode of hunting 
with a light, a deer can easily be approached close enough 
for the man seated in the bow of the canoe to touch the 
animal with hishand. In such a case, what chance would 
the unfortunate animal haye to escape even from a charge of 
No. 10 shot? I abhor fire-hunting so thoroughly as a brutal 
mode of killing deer, that I shall not describe the most scien- 
tific and refined plan of prosecuting a system so utterly bar- 
barous. 
What we want here, and with you on the other side of the 
St. Lawrence, is more stringent legislation, a shortening of 
the open season for deer hunting, and discriminative and 
heavier penalties against crust-hunters, skin-hunters, head- 
hunters and fire-hunters. J include the head-hunters because 
many so-called sportsmen kill such noble animals as the 
wapiti, the moose and the caribou, cut off their heads and 
leave the carcases to the wolves and the foxes, 
It is time also that the deer killing by Indians was 
brought more fully under the influence of conservative pro- 
tective legislation. Their ignorance, improvidence and lazi- 
ness should no longer protect them in their continued and 
destructive breaches of the game laws. i have iton the best 
and most reliable authority that during the month of March 
last two Indians, on the Gasineau River, within 120 miles of 
the city of Ottawa, in three days killed twenty-eight moose, 
halt of the number vo doubt haying been cows with young, 
and merely carried off the skins and left the carcasses in the 
woods. Iam credibly informed that a couple of pot-hunt- 
ing Frenchmen killed seventeen Virginian deer in two days, 
within twenty miles of this city, on the crust, in the same 
month. Let us have solid, rational protection, and no side 
issues. ALGONQUIN. 
Orrawa, Can., Nov. 18, 1884. 
Fditor Forest and Stream 
I live in a district in which are some of the most extensive 
summer hotel interests in the interior of Maine, and 1 can 
see how their interests might be benefited for a brief period 
at least, if we could have two or four weeks of deerand cari- 
bou shooting at the same time that we can lawfully catch 
trout. But if this change would materially affect thesupply 
of deer, they would not in the end be the gainers but wouid 
lose by the measure. 
Many of the hunters and woodsmen here claim that the 
young deer are weaned and are away from the does by Sept.’ 
7. Ihave repeatedly heard this theory advanced by men 
who ought to know, but yet their views might have been in- 
fluenced by selfish motives, , 
There is also another feature of the present deer laws 
which is being criticised very much, and that is the fact that 
as they now are a person who lawfully kills a deer cannot 
transport it to his own home. J have never heard any 
remedy suggested except one that would again open the 
doors to market and pot-hunters. Any change of this kind 
would be vigorously opposed by all who have advanced ideas 
in relation to protection in our State. 
I realize that wein Maine haye overcome a great many 
obstacles within the past few years and are now increasing 
our game. Yet there are some very good sportsmen who 
are opposed to some features of the law. X, 
Guur Crry Gun Cuuz. —Mobile, Ala.—The annual side- 
hunt will take place on the 7th and 8th days of December, 
1884, and the day’s hunt will be from daylight until dark. 
The members may choose either day for their huni, but must 
nominate the day at the time they give their name to the 
secretary. Auy member may change his day of hunting by 
notifying the game receiver prior to 10 P. M, of Saturday 
night before the hunt. The count will be asfollows: Bear 
1,000 points, wildcat 150, deer 300, rabbit 12, squirrel 7, 
goose 100, turkey 300, chicken hawk 25, sparrow hawk 10, 
owl 25; foxes when caught in a sportsman-like manner 100; 
when killed in any other manner 25; woodcock 2, curlew 20, 
quail 15, wild pigeon 10, Wilson snipe 10, ployer 10, dove 4, 
robin ¥, lark 8, rail 2, Pouled’eau 1, king rail 5, gallinule 6, 
canvasback 25, black mallard 25, mallard 20, gadnall 20, 
pintail 10, widgeon 19, redhead 10, Teal 7, all other ducks 
5. The captain of teams are: L. C. Fry and F. 5. Ward.— 
Jouyn F, SUMMPRSBLL, Secretary- 
Micuican Srortsmpn’s Assocrarron.—Grand Rapids, 
Mich., Nov. 10.—A. meeting of the Michigan Sportsmen’s 
Association will be held at Jackson, Dec. 9, for the trangac- 
tion of very important business, not only in the interest of 
sportsmen, but of the people of the whole commonwealth. 
All who are interested in a wise conservation of the public 
property of Michigan represented in the wild, finned, furred 
and feathered animals of the State, are especially invited to 
be present at this meeting. Particular attention will be 
called to renewed efforts to secure the appointment of a State 
fish and game warden or wardens. Some more efficient 
means of securing obedience to our fish and game laws must 
be adopted, or the property of the people here referred to 
will disappear in a few years more. We want to get the 
benefit of the views of these who haye given this subject 
attention from all parts of the State.—E. 8. Houmns (Pres. 
Mich, Sportsmen's Association). 
“How Somp Propte Do Iv.’’—The Salida (Col.) Nezs, 
Noy. 12, reports: ‘‘The German Gunning Club, of Denver, 
made a trip into the San Luis Valley this week and passed 
through this city last evening on their return. Dr. W. Wyl, 
editor and proprietor of the Denver Jowrnal, made the News 
a pleasant visit. Dr. Wyl said the party was composed of 
thirty-three gentlemen. The Doctor reported a most mag- 
nificent time, the weather haying been perfect and the game 
abundant. The party killed over 1,400 rabbits. hey 
hunted from Villa Grove down the valley for a distance of 
eight or ten miles, They spoke in the highest terms of praise 
of the hospitality of the ranchmen in the yalley, who ex- 
tended every courtesy to the hunters. The party brought 
twentv kegs of lager and several cases of champagne, The 
party express themselves as having had a splendid time.” 
PENNSYLVANTA.—Centralia, Pa., Nov. 22,—I have been 
greatly disappointed in finding so few quail when there 
seemed early in the season a promise of good shooting this 
fall. I have found a number of coveys, but none of them 
numbering more than a dozen birds. Grouse are in fair 
numbers, and a geod many turkeys on the mountains. While 
in the woods the other day I came across a number of wood- 
cock, a rare bird with us. J haveshot a good many of these 
birds, but never saw a finer lot. It seems to me they got far 
astray when they ventured up among these hills. Hunters 
report a good many deer on the North Mountain, —SPicn- 
Woop. 
Loorsrana.—Abbeville, La,, Nov. 10.—The game in Ver- 
milion Parish this fall has not been altogether plentiful. 
Deer and partridges (Bob White) have been good, however, 
and the flight of plover in August and September past was 
large. Prairie chickens are rather scarce, approaching ex- 
tinction, I fear. Ducks and geese are beginning to arrive in 
numbers. Bob White is our stand-by, however, and always 
comes fo time, buf whether he stays or not depends on the 
gunner.—W. W. E. 
Looxwoop, Tioga County, N. Y., Nov. 19.—Ruffed grouse 
are more plentiful here this season than before in ten years, 
and as the number of sportsmen haye increased in that time 
it shows plainly their scarcity was due to disease. 
are also very plenty Hares are searce. No foxes killed 
yet, and appear to be scarce.—J. H. A. 
A LARGE Own.—Boylston, Mass., Nov. 20.—Mr, George 
Brigham, a farmer, had the good luck to-day to shoot an ow! 
that measured five feet from tip to tip and weighed six 
pounds. It was a Northern hooter, and said to be the largest 
eyer killed in Worcester county. 
Witp Grrse were heard honking over Hartford, last 
week Wednesday, apparently flying around in a circle as if 
attracted by the electric lights. 
| Sea and River Fishing. 
FISH IN SEASON IN NOVEMBER, 
Black bass (Méicropterus), two | Pike perch (Stizostethion), 
species. Yellow perch (Perea fluviatilis), 
Striped bass or rockfish (Rorcus | Sheepshead (Archosargus). 
lineatus). ” : Kingfish or barb (Menticirrus). 
Weakfish or salt-water trout | Rock bass orred eye (Ambloplites) 
(Cynosciron). War-mouth (Cheenobryttus), 
Bluefish or taylor (Pomatomus | Crappie (Pornoxys migromacu- 
saltatrix). tus), 
Tomeod or frost fish (Microgudus | Bachelor Boone annularis), 
tomcodus). Tautog or blackfish (Tautoga 
Pike (Hsox luctus). onitis). 
Pickerel (Hsox reticulatus). Channel bass, spet, or red fish 
Mascalonge (Hsox nobilior). (Scicenops occellatus), 
ECHOES FROM THE TOURNAMENT. 
HE London Fishing Gazette, after giving the distances of 
the winners in the late New York tournament, says: 
‘We have little patience with those anglers who affect to 
see no good in these tournaments, and say that they afford 
no test as to whether a man is a skillful angler or not. No 
one pretends that they do; for a man may be able to cast a 
splendid line, and yet not know how to catch fish. The way 
they do good—and very great good—isthis: they bring ama- 
teurs, professionals, and tacklemakers together for the pur- 
pose of seeing the best results that can be attaized with the 
best rods, reels and tackle in the market. This creates com 
petition, and leads 10 improvements by which the whole 
angling community benefits, just as shooting matches benefit 
all who shoot from the improvement the rivalry they cause 
creates in the manufacture of guns. Apart from this, these 
tournaments bring anglers from different districts together 
to see practical demonstrations of methods of fishing which 
may prove, and do prove, invaluable.” 
It seems that there are a few persons both in England and 
America, who seem to be troubled with doubts about the 
desirability of holding their tournaments and trouble them- 
selves to print their doubts. As they have failed to show 
that any evil results follow the tournaments it is not clear 
why they do not content themselves with remaining away 
from them and allow those who enjoy them to pursue their 
pleasure without carping at them. We agree with the Fish- 
ing Gazette, in the paragraph aboye quoted, apd while we do 
not consider it worth while to go into a defense of angling 
tournaments, which commend themselves to such a large 
body of intelligent and enthusiastic an, lers, we will say: 
It is not expected that the art of angling can be learned at 
tourzuments, any more than the art of deer hunting with the 
‘knowledge of wooderaft needed in still-hunting can be 
acquired at Creedmoor or Wimbledon, but the different 
Rabbits, 
modes of handling the tools are seen, and the novice can pick 
up many points if he is observant. We think if this was well 
understoud there would be none to object to tournaments ex- 
cept those who pretend to great excellence with the rod but 
do not care to risk a friendly,contest in public, A man of 
this class naturally sneers at tournaments, 
3 ; tas he is not 
obliged to either attend them or contribute to their support 
he has no need to cry out against them. 
One great good obtained by these exhibitions of skill is 
that it awakens an interest in fly-fishing among a class who 
come to see what it is all about, and who never saw a fly 
thrown before and whose idea of fishing has been to go down 
on a steamer to the “Fishing Banks’ and with a clam for 
bait haul in porgies and toad-fish. ‘The tournaments are so - 
arranged that the amateur classes are encouraged beyond all 
others, and each year finds new men entering them. They 
are conducted so that the rivalry is a friendly one and does 
not excite jealousy or ill-feeling, each contestant does his best 
and the decision of the experts, who are selected as judges, 
is accepted as final, the defeated ones looking forward to a 
better record another year. 
It was through the tournaments that the effective rolling 
cast was first publicly made known in America by Harry 
Prichard, whose cast of ninety-one feet, made in this manner, 
has not been exceeded. The use of this cast will yet become 
popular when it is known that.a fly can be sent out a great 
distance and delicately dropped without danger of hooking 
trees in the rear. Wesay that often a long cast is of the 
greatest advantage in trout and salmon angling and that 
although the rolling cast makes a light disturbance in the 
water at the angler’s feet it lifts the fly, already sixty feet 
away, and gracefully lays it out ten feet, or more, beyond, 
Weareassured that Mz. Prichard is a most successful angler 
and that he uses this cast mainly. Several of our friends 
have acquired the sleight of the rolling cast, among them Mr. 
Hd, Eegert, who won in the amateur class B, this year, and 
they all speak highly of it. , 
In the contests there are points for distance; delicacy, and 
accuracy. The two latter are largely matters of opinion 
among the judges and being incapable of record other than 
the points given, cannot well be compared with the records 
of former years, and as the first question about a contestant 
is ‘chow far did he cast?” we believe that in these contests, 
no matter what value it may have on the stream, that 
distance is of the greatest value. 
The fact that the interest in the tournaments is in- 
creasing yeurly shows that they are pwpular, and no angler 
can attend them without nofing the differences in style of 
the contestants and drawing conelusions from them; in this 
sense they are educational as well as being gatherings of 
anglers from all parts who have opportunities to exchange 
ereetings and to cement friendships, for the angler is not a 
solitary being who only loves the society of fish, no matter 
what Byron said of the “‘solitary vice.” 
“And angling, too, that solitary yice. 
No matter what old Walton sings, or says: 
That quaint old erusl coxcomb, in his gullet, 
Should have a hook, and a small trout to pull it?’ 
We do not accept Byron’s view of anglers; and each year 
we look forward to meeting old friends and making new 
ones, to meeting men long known through correspondence 
only, and to grasping hands that have touched before on 
lake, in forest, and on stream. 
VITALITY OF BLACK BASS. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
I have just read in the Formsr anp Srream of Nov. 13, 
the article on “The Vitality of the Black Bass.” During 
the past summer I carried bass eight miles in a wagon, forty- 
five miles on the cars, and one mile in 4 street car, At the 
end of this journey several of the fish were alive. The fish 
were taken from a ‘‘live box” and packed in a basket with 
ice. 
On another occasion I put several bass in a paper flour 
bag, rolled them up and tied the package with string; after 
the aboye journey, two of the fish were found to be alive, 
I think it would be more humane to kill the fish by bleed- 
ing them, In the above instances 1 was in a hurry to catch 
the train. 
I do not enter my fish to beat the record made by the fish 
spoken of in your issue of the 13th. That fish has the 
‘‘yecord” for staying power and distance. My fish, however, 
were somewhat handicapped by not being wrapped in acopy 
of the Forusr anp SrrEAM. I believe that by making fre- 
quent applications of Forust anp SrruaM, a fish could be 
kept aliye indefinitely. ; 
As a life-preserving agent, the Fornst AND STREAM is all 
that is claimed for it. I have used it for years, and can 
recommend it to all who wish to lead a long and happy life. 
You may send me one more copy. K, F. 
Curcaco, Nov, 20. 
Hishculture. 
‘FISHCULTURE IN GEORGIA. 
He report of the Commissioner of Agriculture of the State 
of Georgia, embracing the years 1583-84, is at hand, It 
fresh water, passing up the long rivers to near their sources 
to seek such shoals as may be fo 
hesive, and the sinking: to the last class belong the shad eggs. 
Shad eggs, when deposited in water, ‘imme Seely Bue. 9 
the bottom, where ordinarily soon covered with sediment, 
suffocation ensues, and very few apsenay The instinct of 
@ 
he pools and kept 
by the action-of the water. Thus, it will be seen, an absolute 
necessity. exists for allowing the shad to have a free pass 
highlands, that 
