Nov. 5, 1885,] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



28B 



creasing daily now, and we will soon have splendid shooting. 

 Quil are exceedingly plenty. Open season Nov. 1, when the 

 slaugbter will commence. B. E. W. 



Labned, Pawnee County, Kan. 



A month ago sandhill cranes and hrant were flying south 

 over us, and teal ducks, the only kind I have seen, were 

 plentiful in the river and ponds. It is said that wildfowl 

 •will be plentiful here in November. Rambler. 

 Johnson County, Kan.. Oct. 26. 



Ducks are beginning to make their appearance, also a few 

 geese. The first brant was bagged in the bay Oct. 19. 

 Two of our sportsmen bagged 135 ducks in an evening and 

 morning's shooting, Oct. a3 and 23. Fine shooting is 

 expected next month. B. C. H. 



San Diego, Cal., Oct. 25. 



GUN SLINGS FOR THE SADDLE. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



The arrangement for carrying a gun upon horseback, 

 described by "W. E. B." in your issue of Oct. 1, is doubtless 

 very convenient, especially on open prairies, but is only 

 suitable for saddles made after the Mexican fashion, -with 

 a high knob on the pommel. I would, therefore, like to 

 bring to the notice of your readers a method of carrying a 

 gun with great comfort and security upon ordinai-y English 

 saddles, which I am informed are now in general use in the 

 Eastern States of America. The following outline drawing 

 will, it is hoped, make the description clear : a is a leather 



bucket wide enough at the mouth, b, to allow the stock of a 

 gun to pass easily in and out, and deep enough to almost 

 cover the locks. The upper and back part is prolonged into 

 a strap, c, which passes through the D on the right side of 

 the pommel of the saddle, and is fastened to the buckle, e, 

 outside the upper and rear part of the bucket. At the back 

 of the latter, and near its lower end, is sewn a band of stiff 

 leather, /, two inches broad, upon which is a loop, g, for one 

 of the saddle girths to be passed through. The band must 

 be of such a lensrth that the bucket will lie at the edge of the 

 saddle flap a little in front of the rider's thigh. 



The slope must be regulated by shortening or lengthening 

 the strap c, so that when the stock of the gun is in the bucket 

 with locKs to the front, the ban-el will puss close under the 

 rider's right armpit. A piece of felt or thick blanket stitched 

 on to the part of the bucket which rests against the horse's 

 shoulder, will increase the comfort of the animal. 



A bag of cartridges or something equally heavy should be 

 hung to the D on the left side of the pommel, otherwise the 

 weight of the gun in a long and fast journey may twist the 

 saddle round sufficiently to gall the near side of the horse's 

 withers. The advantages of this system are: 1. That the 

 weight of the rider's arm when hanging in its natural posi- 

 tion holds the gun perfectly steady at even a hard gallop. 

 2 That in riding through forests there is no danger of strik- 

 ing the Imrrel against the trunks of trees. 3. That when 

 the gun is wanted it has simply to be hfted out of the 

 bucket. With a quiet horse it may safely be left standing 

 there when the rider dismounts. 



I first read of this system in Gallon's "Art of Travel," and 

 practiced it for three years when holding a government ap- 

 pointment in India, where I had to march for seven months 

 annually across the great plains of the Punjab. The only 

 disadvantage connected with it is that, if "the horse falls 

 when at a fast pace, there is a chance of the rider being 

 thrown forward in such a way as to break the stock; but 

 this can be avoided by holding the gun in on.e hand when 

 galloping over dangerous ground. 



The British mounted infantry carry their rifles in a bucket 

 fastened to the cantle of the saddle behind the rider's right 

 thigh, the sling of the rifle passing over the man's left shoul- 

 der, so as to huld the barrel across his back with the muzzle 

 inclining to the left. This arrangement keeps the rifle fairly 

 steady at a gallop, and the rider, if thrown, carries his 

 weapon with him ; but he may possibly, in the act of fall- 

 ing, receive a severe blow from the barrel on the back of his 

 head. J. J, M. 



London, Eng., Oct. 16. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



The gun sling described in the communication in your 

 issue of October 1 is well known here in California, in so far 

 as its general features are concerned, and has among other 

 points in its favor the great merit of simplicity. It seems, 

 however, to fail in the lollowing important respects for 

 general use: 1. It is adapted only for a Mexican saddle, or 

 some variety similarly constructed, with a high pommel 

 2. From the position of the gun when in the sling, in the 

 event of a heavy stumble of the horse it is likely to strike the 

 animal about the head or forelegs, and lead to complications. 

 8. The weight of the gun is not well placed, bearing, as it 

 does, altogether on the horse's withers. 4. "One hand is 

 used to steady it"— the gun — "when loping." 5. It is in- 

 convenient, in that it requires the barrels of the gun to be 

 tied with saddle strings (which are also peculiar to Mexican 

 saddles) whenever one is obliged to walk and lead his horse, 

 which on hunting trips in anything but a flat country will 

 average at least a third of the way. In leading up or down 

 an overgrown trail the gun is liable to catch in the chap- 

 paral, and having necessarily no play in the saddle strings, 

 cannot ordinarily swing free when caught; this must inevit- 

 ably result in delay, inconvenience and possible injury to the 

 gun, 



I have for a number of years used a guu sling for the sad- 



dle, which while open to some trifling objection, at the same 

 time combines more of convenience and safety than any of a 

 number which I have tried, including that described by 

 your correspondent. It can be adjusted to any saddle, and 

 is equally useful for gun or rifle. Its pattern is of the sim- 

 plest. Independent of its fastenings it is nothing but a long 

 leather pocket intended to receive the stock of the gun. The 

 accompanying rough sketch and dimensions will serve to ex- 

 plain its shape and construction: 



The pocket is made of one piece of thick leather doubled 

 and stitched in the manner indicated in the sketch. The lop 

 strap Gr should be li inches in width and 3 feet in length, 

 the lower corner strap F should be i inch in width and 3 

 feet 6 inches in length. The following are the dimensions 

 of the pocket: A to B 3 feet, ^ to E 6 inches, C to D 7 

 inches— E is the mouth of the pocket. These measurements 

 are taken from a sling which is by me as I write, and while 

 they can doubtless be in some slight degree modified, it 

 would not be advisable to change them to any great extent. 

 The sling is in position on the right of the saddle, in front 

 of the rider's knee, with the pocket at a slight angle, so 

 that the top inclines to the rear. It is fastened by the 

 strap Gr which is wound about the pommel if the saddle 

 be Mexican or Californian, or passed through AD, which can 

 readily be attached to the pommel of either an American or 

 English saddle and buckled in place. The strap F is passed 

 to tlie rear under the girth, and forward again to the corner 

 buckle H, where it is fastened. The straps must of course 

 l)e adjusted to fit the horse and the rider, and this can easily 

 be done in a few moments. The gun is inserted in the 

 pocket, hammers upward, and when so placed with the 

 straps adjusted to give the proper angle to the sling, the 

 barrels rest lightly on the rider's thigh, extending to the rear 

 under his forearm. There is no perceptible jar from the 

 gun either on a trot or gallop; both hands are free; the 

 weight of the gun is so distributed that it is bui'densome 

 neither to the horse nor rider. In the event of a stumble 

 there is no danger of the gun or horse being injured, and in 

 leading through the narrowest and most overgrown trail the 

 gun is safe, and if brought in contact with overhanging 

 branches avoids them at^once through the play of the straps. 



G. E. O. 



San Bebnahdino, Cal. 



GAME IN PIKE. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



My forecast in Forest and Stream last year in regard 

 to hunting at and near Milford, Pike county, Pennsylvania, 

 were coirect. I said that the denseness of the wood's would 

 save pheasants — ruffed grouse — "for seed" and that they 

 should be plentiful this year. So many were saved over 

 that broods were everywhere until woodcock shooting began 

 in July. Then the market hunters scattered the broods, get- 

 ting "chicken partridge.s" for the local gourmands and hotels 

 In this way hundreds of "peepers" were brought to bag and 

 the survivors took to the scrub oaks and swamps. In one 

 sense this was a gain to sportsmen, as ridge hunting does 

 not pay the market hunter as well as swale hunting. Too 

 much ground has to be covered and the "pot" sportsman (!) 

 does not keep the staunch trailing dog needed for such work; 

 or if he has a good animal it is soon spoiled by being taught 

 to tree squirrels and ruffed grouse. 



1 have just returned from "Little Pike," and can advise 

 those who love to hunt the booming wing monarch of the 

 forest to take atrip there. Better take a good dog used to 

 the work, a cautious, steady trailer if possible, one that will 

 "freeze" at the first whiff of a bird, wait for you to get up 

 and tread as on eggs until he has the quarry cornered and 

 ready for powder burning. Flocks will not be found for the 

 reasons given. But it will be a bad day for pheasants when 

 within easy reach of his quarters the gunner does not put up 

 a dozen birds, and he may see scores. The woods are now, 

 thanks to frosts and heavy rains, well cleared of leaves. 

 Never were there so many thorn, frost, wintergreen and bear 

 berries on the ridges and in the swales, and the birds are in 

 the primest condition. There has so far been one flight of 

 woodcock— a small one— but others must come within the 

 next ten days. The best grounds near Milford for both wood- 

 cock and ruffed grouse are Dewitt's Islands on the Delaware, 

 midway between Milford and Port Jervis, the Dunwick 

 Meadows and Yellow Pine Swamp, the Oiry Cabin Brook, 

 Pinnej's Woods, the San van tine Swale, Craft's Brook, the 

 Walker Ponds, Butternut Orchard, Shutts's Farm and 

 Swamp, Coble's, Greening's, and the farms on the Shohola, 

 the Upper Raymondskill and Big and Little Log Tavern 

 Ponds, the De Rialp Swale and' the Brink Ponds and the 

 Upper Dingman Creek and Silou Lake. 



There are a few deer left, but there are more bear than 

 deer signs. Deer hunting will be a failure this year. • Bear 

 hunting will begin when the swamps are frozen. 



If the visitor be a keen sport^nian not needing a guide be- 

 yond a country boy and desirous of a comfortable pieddtsrre, 

 he could not do better than go to Gilbert D. Aselimus's farm 

 on the Saw kill Lake^ and land right in the center of a hunt- 

 ing country. If he need a guide to add to his bag and cheer 

 him, he can go to George M. Quick's snug log cabin hunting 

 box on the Shockapee farm, a mile from Milford, and get 



French cookery, good sleeping quarters, and the use of the 

 best ruffed grouse dog in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Quick 

 is a good sport, belongs to a family of hunters, and can get 

 up a deer hunt on short notice. His terms are very reason- 

 able. 



Let me add that it is a good year for cider in Pike county, 

 and that the air of this favored locality has the satae tonic 

 effect as ever, al.io that— mirabile diciu— several owners of 

 swamps have stopped summer woodcock shooting-. On one 

 thus preserved I shot nine woodcock before the' first flight 

 arrived. 



Milford is reached by Erie Railroad to Port Jervis and 

 stage. Some "go in" via Erie Railroad and Lackawaxen, 

 Footer's Glen or Hawley, or Delaware, Lackawanna & 

 Western Railroad and Stroudsburg. Amateur. 



THE BOSTON GAME MARKET. 



NO better illustration of the value of stringent game laws 

 well enforced need be asked for than comes from 

 carefully watching the Boston market, especially in the sea- 

 son. Later, when the weather becomes sufficiently cool, 

 heavy shipments of game come here from the West, but up 

 to Nov. 1 it is pretty safe to conclude that the game found 

 in this market is of New England production or from the 

 near Provinces. Well, careful watching and acquaintance 

 with the market police has brought to light the receipt of 

 but onc! or two deer thus far, although it has been open sea- 

 son in Maine and New Hamp>'hire"one month. One deer 

 came through by express— boxed and marked "lambs"— some 

 two weeks ago, but it smelled so badly that a member of the 

 market police ordered it to "the dump." The receiver saved 

 the hide only, and the express company, which brought it 

 out of Maine, will be watched. It can handle but two more 

 deer this season. The Maine game law says: "Three 6eev, 

 two caribou and one moose" a year, and this the Supreme 

 Court of that State liolds as applying to transportation com- 

 panies as well as individuals. In New Hampshire it is abso- 

 lute non-transportation fromjhe State. 



Upon partridges the effect of the Maine and New Hamp- 

 shire laws is most salutary. The effect of the new non-ex- 

 portation law of the latter State is signally noticeable here 

 this season. The game ri^^ceiversarc cursing the law. They 

 declare it has ruined their business. Last year at this time 

 the market was crowded with ruJfed grouse'. The market- 

 men said they were killed in Massachusetts and New Hamp- 

 shire, but unfortunately for Maine then, she' has nearly 150 

 miles of border on the Granite State. The New Hampshire 

 law, which forbids the taking of game out of the State, has 

 been added to that of Maine within a year, and Boston mar- 

 ket has no partridges. The marketmen will tell you that 

 the fact is owing to a scarcity of grouse this year, but how 

 does it happen that Vermont has them more plentiful than 

 ever before? At least such is the statement of the receivers, 

 but the New Hampshire border has doubtless something to 

 do with the situation. 



it is worthy of note that a majority of the few partridges 

 received here this season have been snared instead of shot. 

 The game dealers encourage this. They say in their circu- 

 lars: "Send us snared birds, they sell better than birds torn 

 by shot." It means exterminatirjn of the ruffed grouse and 

 they know it; it is against the lay and they know it. But 

 what are the compunctions of the shrewd game dealers 

 worth when there is a dollar to be made? Speciai,. 



A WOODCOCK PLAYING LEAPFROG. 



A THOUGHTFUL sportman seldom goes out for a day's 

 1\- pleasure in the haunts of that charming game bird, the 

 woodcock, that the bird does not treat him to the sight of 

 some action so full of witchery and abandonment as "to re- 

 mind him of the caprices of his first love, perhaps. 



On a certain memorable picnic Tom 's first love did 



play at leapfrog when he was bending over the campfire, 

 which he was trying to blow into a blaze, though she was as 

 decorous as the circumstances would permit of, and sailed 

 over his bent form side-saddle fashion, landing with much 

 gravity, but with disastrous effect, upon the carefully- 

 arranged fireplace. From that day nothing has occurred to 

 remind him of that scene, he says, until yesterday, when he 

 saw a woodcock play four leaps of this game in a cedar 

 thicket, during a hunt which he trusts he may always re- 

 member for the pleasure it gave him. Tom and his triend 



George H had made a fair bag, had eaten their dinner 



and had chased a woodcock up and down a bit of cover 

 until they were tired, when she went over a swale into the 

 cedars. Here they planned out a campaign, which, from 

 the shape and surroundings of the thicket seemed as complete 

 as the Little Corporal's at Waterloo. Tom's friend was to 

 make the attack with the dog, after Tom had placed himself 

 in front. The positions were secured. Each called to an- 

 nounce the fact and for warning lest either should be tempted 

 to shoot in the line of the other, and the dog was sent in. 

 But the thicket was so dense that he sought and found 

 an easier way of entry. This brought him between 

 Tom and the bird. 'The latter seemed to "sense the 

 situation" She gave a hop over the dog's back; 

 and by th^ flicker of her wings throuajh the branches Tom 

 saw her alight between him and the dog. There they were 

 in line— Tom's friend, the dog. Mile. Woodcock, Tom him- 

 self, and thickets beyond. She gave them no chance to 

 change their positions, but with another hop and a daring 

 display of her feathers sailed close over Tom's head and 

 lightly touched the ground near to a scrub oak supported by 

 blackberry briers and swtet fern. Tom caught this motion 

 in the corner of his eye as he turned aroumi, for when he 

 was so near to facing her as to have his gun up, she had dis- 

 appeared behind the little oak, much as a girl's handkerchief 

 goes with a flirt into her pocket. "Here she is," called Tom, 

 and he pointed out to George, who had come up, he'r place 

 of hiding. They knew to a certainty within six feet of 

 w^here she was. A delighted look rested on Tom's face; a 

 confident smile was on that of his friend. Even the dog 

 knew the bird was for the bag. Then, in less time than it 

 can be told, came the fourth leap. With a shake of her 

 feathers, another flicker of her wings— graeelul, full of 

 abandon — she rose over a low cedar. "Now's the time." 

 What a moment. George in readiness ior a second shot, 

 Tom shooting, the dog in a quiver and the woodcock sinking 

 beyond the cedar. Both fired. It was too much for the dog. 

 He lojt his self-control and barked. 



"Did I hit her?" asked Tom and George together. 



Well, there are some things that it is too mueh to expect 

 of a woodcock. After she has played a game of leapfrog 

 for your entertainment, it would be incarnate selfishness to 

 expect her to reply to such a question, and Tom and George 

 left it there. J. D. P. 



