No, 8 for geese.—Aumo. 
He HAS HAD ENovcH.—Madisor, N, J,—Thanksgiving 
Day I was out a few hours, but failed to make anything of 
abag. Birds were hard to find, extremely so; in fact, I don’t 
believe there are enough birds around the whole country to 
make it anyway interesting for more than a day at most. 
If Lsaw one hunter ] saw a hundred; and in some fields I 
saw aS maby as seven men, some with hounds, others 
with bird dogs. Twenty men with guns and as many dogs, 
got off the cars here Wednesday night. I never before 
heard so much shooting here, Some ran into afew quail, 
some did not see anything laryer than a red squirrel, and 
some blazed away at sparrows all day, until their gun bar- 
rels were red hot, For my part I dont care to hunt around 
here another day this fall, as I have had sufficient to last me 
4 year.—SixTHEN-LBoRn. 
A Snarer’s Stctun.—Thomasten, Conn.—While out 
hunting last week I captured a ruffed grouse with a wire 
noosed around its neck just short of choking, with the other 
end wound twice around the right wing, The first circle 
had been drawn so tight as to cut to the bone and had 
healed over, leaving the wire through the flesh of the wing. 
The wire was drawn so tight as to render the wing almost 
useless. We drove a numberof miles expecting to find a 
good many birds, but tramped all the forenoon through 
splendid cover, without starting any, with the exception of 
the one mentioned. We did, however, find a good many 
brush fences, which accounts for the absence of birds re- 
pened to be plentiful in that vicinity early in the season,— 
SoutHweEst Mrssourrt.—North Springfield, Mo., Nov. 25. 
—Southwest Missouri has more game this fall than for many 
years, Quail, thanks to a reasonably enforced law against. 
netting, are exceedingly plentiful, and afford rare sport. 
Ducks are slow in coming in, but there is fair hunting for 
them. Deer are plenty, and are using the late cornfields ex- 
tensively. One farmer near the city shot four deer in his 
cornfield last week. Turkey are quite plentiful. The writer 
saw a fine flock of twenty-three within six miles of this 
place on the 2ist inst. Weather is superb, and the fates 
seem kindly inclined to the gentle hunter-—A. M. H. 
PpxNnsyLvAnra.—Supbury, Dec, 1,—The season is not 
a propitious one in our vicinity for quail. There seemed to 
be many birds bred, but as for several seasons past, so this, 
no birds when it came time to shoot, and what few are killed 
all old birds. What has become cf the young ones? My 
theory of it is, with both the quail and ruffed grouse, that an 
epidemic, perhaps of the nature of the pip, or gaps in chick- 
ens, has decimated them. I don’t think from observa- 
tion that the partridge fly theory will cover the wholesale 
destruction. Let us hear from some of our veterans on the 
subject.—A. F. CLArp. 
Oxnto.—Lovan, Dec, 2.—Since the last week in October, 
T have spent much time in the ficld. In the bottom lands of 
the Hock-Hocking River quail are plenty. On the highlands 
they are scarce. Grouse are more abundant than for years. 
Squirrels and rabbits without end. The flixht of wild ducks 
has been very light. Have not heard a wild goose since 
spring.—Parson O'GATH. 
FLorma.—Glencoe, Nov. 20.—Saw first robins pass over, 
going south, this morning. The past few days have been cool, 
With mercury at 48° at 6 A.M. Also saw a large black 
brant flying south some few days since. Ducks still coming 
in immense numbers.—REpD WInG. 
New Orteans.—The Shell Beach Hunting and Fishing 
Olub members have just opened their new house. The beau- 
tiful structure, comfortably furnished for the occupancy of 
the club, is twenty-eight miles from New Orleans, on Lake 
Borgne. 
Iuiinots.—Macomb.—Game is not very abundant. Was 
out all day yesterday and only bagged three rabbits, four 
quail and one squirrel. Would have had more quail if I had 
been @ better shot.—EN AMI, 
Monrecomery SHootine Crus,—The tenth annual game 
banquet of the Montgomery {Ala.) Shooting Club, will be 
held this evening. 
A Doc Caprurzs a Saumon.—Ziditor Forest aud Stream 
The following appears in the Carlisle (Eng.) Jowrnal, of Nov. 
7, and needs no comment.—Tuos. H. Batu: “Extraordin- 
ary Capture of a Salmon.—Major Gleig who, for some: years 
past, has regularly spent the fishing season in Appleby, is the 
owner of a Dandie Dinmont terrier which is his almost 
inseparable companion in his fishing excursions, and on Mon- 
day Jast, whilst salmon fishing in the Eamont, the Major 
had the good fortune to secure a fish, which was afterward 
fouud to bring down the balance at sixteen pounds, under 
the following curious circumstances. The salmon was fairly 
well hookcd, and promised to give some excellent play before 
being brought to book, No sooner did heshow himself in 
the water, however, than ‘Dandie’ plunged into the stream, 
and adroitly seized the fish by the dorsal fin. The Major’s 
line, entangled round the dog and fish, was soon broken, but 
the dog stuck to his fish, and at length succeeded in forcing 
his capture sufficiently near to the bank to enable the Major 
to Hake use of his gaff, and the fish and dog were both 
safely brought to land.” 
SEVENTEEN THoUsaxD Mey ip 1883 were paid cash benefits under 
accident pe ets! the Travelers, of Hartford, or 54 for ae eck 
ag day-—Adv, . 
«ie of 0 ee hl ee Se 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
Sea and River Hishing. 
ON THE GRAND MESA. 
| Paar before the season opened, the details of our big 
hunt had been discussed, even to the disposal of the 
proceeds thereof. Our preparations were to be the most 
complete and as for success, why we were assured of it. 
Occasionally during the summer some additional precautions 
were registered and we were on the gud vive for the great 
event. The time only remained to be fixed and this we left 
to fate. While at Cimarron enjoying a lone fishing picnic 
among the big trout of the Gunnison, the matter slipped my 
mind until] one evening, upon my return to the hotel, I was 
eit by a message from Carl, saying, ‘‘Will be on 7 this 
. M., for Delta. Look out for us.” Here we were on the 
eve of the great eyent with only my rod and tackle in the 
way of preparation. Wiring to Salida for my shotgun and 
rifle, | calmly awaited the arrival of the train. After what 
seemed to be a month of waiting. it pulled in and I was 
warmly welcomed by my friends, There were Carl, the 
greatest trout enthusiast, who thirsted for glory among big 
game; Sheid, a genial comrade and old prospector, success- 
ful, too, by the way, who wus to show us how to slay the 
ferocious deer of the Mesa; Hodge, a thoroughly good 
fellow, who had lost no bear and wasn’t looking for any (he 
carried a .45-90 rifle, all the same); and to bring up a grace- 
ful rear, Kokomo. 
Arriving at Delta, we spread our blankets upon the depot 
floor, and slept the sleep of the innocent until morning, not 
far distant. Then came the hurry and excitement of 
departure, Casually inquiring of an inhabitant the distance 
to the lakes on the Grand Mesa, I was dismayed by the 
answer: ‘‘About forty miles, Ll reckon.” Ihad couuted on 
twenty. Carl shortly afterward turned up with the informa- 
tion that it was thirty miles to the lakes, and Sheid, coming 
around with the team, remarked that as if was twenty four 
miles to our destination, we had better be getting started. I 
said nothing, We slipped and slid around in Delta’s leading 
product, which is mud, and finally sailed slowly and 
majestically out of town, and succeeded in losing our way 
when half a mile out. 
Crossing the raging, turbulent Gunnison on a ferryboat, 
worked by the current with the assistance of a member from 
Missouri, we pointed for the adobe hills, and the mud en- 
compassed us roundabout. Hodge, on his calico pony, led 
the van and seemed to be known of all the natives, to our 
wonderment and edification. Inquiring at every wayside 
habitation and using the utmost caution, we arrived at 
Henry Kohler’s on the evening of the first duy. Here we 
stopped over night. Mr. Koilex’s ranch is one of the largest 
in this section of the country—his herds numbering some 
3,000 head. He is kindness and hospitality personified, and 
has the thanks and well wishes of the four. 
When within two miles of the lakes our team gave out, 
and we made camp for the night. Carl and Mr, K. had 
gone on ahead to the lake to catch trout for supper, and they 
now returned, Mr. K, starting for home atonce. Carl’s 
report was discouraging. ‘‘They pull out like snags,” 
he, ‘and there don’t seem to be many there anyhow.” 
gloomy silence we arranged our camp. 
It being only a temporary camp, and hastily constructed, 
our sleep was interrupted at short intervals during the night 
by the gentle zephers playing around our heads, and we 
were rather content when Hodge got up, saying it was 
morning. We heard him going down the frozen road to 
look after the stock, Returning, he startled us with, “Boys, 
we are in a deuce of a fix now, Flaxy (one of the horses) is 
too dead to skin.” This brought us out all ina heap. and 
consternation reigned supreme for a few moments. 
After having put our camp to rights we made our way 
toward the lake. After tramping what to us seemed five 
miles, we came in view of thelake. The lake consisted of 
about ten acres of water, and seemed to be abont two feet 
deep. In this we were deceived, however, the clearness of 
the water being very deceptive. We could see a few trout 
along the bottom, and Sheid, who had never caught a trout 
in his life, vowed we would clean them out in a couple of 
days. Well, we didn’t. 
Fishing trom shore, sinking our flies, we caught quite a 
number of the finest’ trout we had ever gazed upon. Deep 
red underneath, with black-red gill cover, and black backs 
and spots, they were indeed a sight to gladden the heart of an 
angler. Toward noon they ceased biting, and then, and not 
until then was our attention attracted to a mink, who had 
been as busy carrying away our fish as we had been catching 
them, Comparing notes, we found that the industrious thief 
had made off with eleven of our catch. Hodge, who had 
come to fish, vowed vengeance, and brought with him the 
next day his rifle. Carl and I now thought it time to ven- 
ture upon the lake, and to this end laboriously poled a pon- 
derous raft, some twenty-live feet long by ten feet wide, out 
into the center and then anchored. As our lines began to 
whistle through the air we felt happier, our spirits rising as 
our lines lengthened, twenty, thirty, forty feet were out 
when we had arise. A swirlin the water, and like a flash 
came an old timer, viciously snapping at our black palmer. 
Having had some experience with these old fellows, westrike 
him hard, and no sooner did he feel the hook than war was 
declared. His first rush was toward the raft, and in vain 
did we seek to keep up the slack, though our multiplier 
fairly shrieked. On he came until, secing the raft, he 
stopped undecided for a moment, then with a mighty spurt 
sped on out into the lake, the reel singing merrily the while; 
up he comes, shaking his sturdy head all to no purpose; he 
grows weak, and is soon drawn up to the raft, conquered. 
“Pull out like snags, say you, Carl. Pretty lively snag that.” 
But Carl answers not. His entire attention is absorbed in a 
struggle as spirited as any one could wish for, Shortly, with 
a sigh of relief, he drops a two-pounder into his creel. We 
exchange congratulations and go at it agaiu. They kept us 
busy, and the singing of the reels and whistling of our lines 
made right merry music, kept up until Sheid, who had been 
hunting, appeared upon the scene, reminding us of our poor 
accommodations for the night. Reluctantly we did up our 
tackle, and with a last lingering look at the pond, we de- 
parted to renew the contest in the morning. 
That evening, while Carl and Hodge cooked supper, 
Sheid and Kokomo fixed up the camp, taking particular 
care to close up all openings where the wind might enter, 
Around the camp fire the battles of the day were refought 
and a programme prepared for the morrow. Our pipes 
being empty and it growing late, we replenished the fire 
and got ready to turn in, Hodge meanwhile taking a look 
after the-stock, not caring to lose.another horse if we could 
help it. Upon his return we crawled under the blankets 
ee —— 
———— SS —,. — = _— 
t 
and were soon asleep. In the wee ama’ hours we heard 
Hodge tramping down the already frozen road, and feeling 
that our remaining stock were safe in his hands, turned over 
and were soon asleep again, In the carly morning we arose, 
It was bitterly cold, and we shivered in the keen morning 
breeze until breakfast was cooked and eaten. Then we felt 
better, and the sun rising over the hill tops, soon thawed us 
out, Owing to our success of the previous day, Sheid de- 
cided to try his Juck at the lake, for, although he had never 
caught a fish with hook and line, he was not discouraged, 
and declared he would catch one or capsize the raft. By 
the time we were well on the way the road was thawed out 
and bottomless, That day we caught 146 trout, Sneid 
catching 12, much to his delight. One feature of the day’s 
sport was the catching of several triplets, while double- 
headers were quite common. To accomplish this, we let 
the first one struck run, trailing the flies. Like chickens, 
the others would follow, aid soon arumpus in the water 
would announce the fact of another pilsrim being taken 
in. We frequently hooked two on the first strike, however, 
Upon leaving the lake, we packed cur cateh on one of the 
horses, as we had more than we could carry. When about 
a half mile from the Jake we saw our first deer, out of range, 
of course. Carl and Kokomo started in pursuit, hoping by 
making a detour to get within range; but, alas for their 
hopes, it had vanished. 
The next morning the three Nimrods sallied forth with 
rifles, Hodge deciding that fishing was good enough for 
him. At noon Carl and Kokomo returned disgusted, and 
after having partaken of a hasty lunch, gathered up their 
tackle and joined Hodge at the lake. Shortly after their 
arrival came Sheid, also disgusted. He said that he had 
hired a horse to take us down and that all hands must be in 
camp by 3 o’clock, as we would have to be in Delta at 2 the 
next day. We had captured fifty-four fish when time was 
up, and when we arrived in camp found Sheid with every- 
thing packed, including a fine buck, which he claimed to 
have shot. Perhaps he had, but somehow when we passed 
a hunting outfit camped a short half mile below our camp, we 
thought of Sheii’s buck. We made seven miles that eyen- 
ing and were in Delta at noon the next day, after a very hot 
day’s drive. The horse we left on the Mesa cost us $100, 
and our trip was somewhat expensive. Bot our enjoyment 
was not to be reckoned by dollars and cenis; and while our 
hunt was a failure, our success with the trout was ample 
recompense, and then—ve do love to fish. Koxomo. 
CoLORADO, 
WILMURT LAKE, 
4Q much had been said and wriften of the large trout and 
) their great numbers in Wilmurt Lake, lying in the south- 
western portion of the Adirondacks, and of the beanties of 
its surrouncings, and of that portion of West Canada Creek 
which runs at the base of the mountain on which the lake 
nestles near the top, that when a business call brought me 
to Utica and I met Gen, R. U. Sherman of the N. Y. Fish 
Commission, who was about to call on Hon. O. B. Matteson, 
the owner of the lake, and he asked me to go with him, I 
had no idea that the call would extend to a supper and a 
visit to the lake. General Sherman had often written me 
of the wonderful fishing combined with ease of access to it, 
afforded by Wilmurt Lake, and although it was eariy in 
December, and no fishing was to be had, I had the time and 
went in. 
At the house of Mr. Matteson I met his business manager, 
Mr. W. G. Stimson, who went along. The Utica and Black 
River Railway landed us at Remsen, some twenty miles 
north of Utica, about 6 P. M., too late to go further, and a 
good supper, bed, and a venison chop in the moruing at the 
hotel of Mr. F. Bristol, himself an ardent sportsman, was 
agrecable to one who had much need of rest. In the morn- 
ing a teani drove up, and to my surprise, I learned that Mrs. 
Stimson proposed to enjoy the ride of twenty-seven miles on 
that clear, cool day. ‘The care of the “Mountain Home” 
during the past year had left a lingering love for the place, 
which only needed the prospect of a trip there to rekindle it, 
The roads were in good order, although frozen snow coy- 
ered them, and the team trotted all the way, with the excep- 
tion of one or two hills, and the Home was reached in less 
than five hours. In summer, the horses of Mr. Matteson do 
it in four, making the trip from Utica by rail and team in 
about five hours. I had been told before that one could 
leave New York at 11 P. M., and dine in this part of the 
wilderness next day, and now saw that it was possible, 
Much of the time the road ran along that beautiful river 
which our perverse ancestors named West Canada Creek, 
just as they called many a beautiful lake by the trifling 
name of pond. This “creek” is too well known to need 
description, and is still one of the famous trout streams of 
the country, It is possible to cast the fly on it for forty 
miles or more, and where we saw it it varied from 100 to 
300 feet in width, rapids and pools alternating. The scenery 
is fair, having been grand, but the devastating axe has 
scarred the hills in many places. A turn in the road brought 
to view a large white house with tower and outonildings, at 
the foot of the mountain, and was recognized as Mr. Matte- 
son’s ‘‘Mountain Home.” West Canada Creek lay within a 
stone’s throw of it and fifty feet below. Mr. Matteson’s 
property includes the northern half of the stream for 
some miles, and there is at least ten miles of the 
best trout fishing above the Home. He has some 
8,400 acres here in bulk, ‘including Wilmurt Lake 
and a half of Rock Lake, and his property is the key to other 
small lakes in this region, to reach which Wilmurt must be 
crossed. Mr. Matteson also owns three other tracts near 
here, containing about 1,400 acres, nearly 100 of which are 
under cultivation and the remainder is virgin forest. Here 
Horace Greeley loved to come and write enthusiastic letters 
about the healthfulness and enjoyments of the woods. The 
Home is 40x40 feet, with an addition 30x44 feet, and has 
some twenty rooms for the accommodation of such friends 
as may be invited, and is handsomely furnished throughout, 
hot and cold water, bath-room, ice house, ete. , for those who 
do not care for the more primitive life at the lodge. Bight 
huuilred and fifty feet above the Home, up a mountain path 
two miles long, lies the lake, some 2,000 feet above Bage’s 
Square, in Utica. 
After a good dinner prepared by the boys who are left in 
charge during the winter, we started up the hill to the 
lake. The snow had been about eight inches deep, but had 
settled to half that, and the boys had been up, so the track 
was partly broken, The tracks of deer were plenty, and 
about half way up we started two whose long jumps in the 
snow showed their alarm. Rabbif signs were also plenty, 
but nune were seen, and no birds were visible. Soon the - 
lake was reached, and on the south shore where we were, 2 
log lauding and stable first hoye in sight, and then across 
