Sept. 7, 1895.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



20.8 



shooting 'didn't clean them out; says it must have been 

 some disease. He tells me that last summer he was in 

 northern Minnesota, near Tower, and that he shipped 

 thirteen barrels of dressed fish out of that State. Other 

 parties tell me that he brought three barrels of Minnesota 

 fish home with him. He boasts that he is going back 

 again to repeat the performance and will try and get a 

 moose (protected until 1898). 



I saw quite a few ducks on the Nebraska lakes and a 

 few geese that had hatched there and the shooting should 

 be fair this year. Curlew, avocets and dough birds were 

 quite plentiful, but are about done now. 



I don't know as it does much good to kick now that the 

 grouse are gone, but the information may be of service to 

 some brother sportsman who contemplates a trip to this 

 section in anticipation of good grouse shooting, and will 

 save him an expensive and disappointing trip. This wan- 

 ton and ruinous slaughter illustrates how useless it is to 

 have game laws as long as the large Eastern cities are only 

 fences for the disposal of stolen game. Were such markets 

 as Chicago and New York kept closed against foreign 

 game only during the close season there would still be 

 plenty of grouse in the sand hills of Nebraska. The "stop 

 the sale of game" plank will have to become a reality 

 pretty quick or it will be everlastingly too late. 



W. R. Hall. 



DESTRUCTION OF WILDFOWLS' EGGS. 



New York, Aug. 28. — Editor Forest and Stream: Be- 

 cause Forest and Stream has brought up the question 

 from time to time I have taken pains to make inquiries 

 about the destruction of wildfowls' eggs by the Indians 

 and others. A calamity cry is harmful in its effects as a 

 rule because it is apt to come in an exaggerated form 

 from interested sources, but such testimony as I have ob- 

 tained came from men who had no interest further than 

 to give a civil reply to an ordinary question. 



Last summer while on the Nepigon Lake in Ontario I 

 noticed a good many adult ducks and not many young 

 ones. I asked my guide, J. B. Marcellaes, of Fort 

 William, for the reason, and his reply was that Indians 

 were fond of duck eggs. I said that the Indians were not 

 likely to give so much time to egg hunting as to make a 

 great decrease in the ducks, and his reply was that In- 

 dians had not much else to do during the breeding season 

 of the ducks. 



This summer while on the north shore of the Gulf of 

 St. Lawrence I noticed that practically all of the inhabit- 

 ants were eating the eggs of wildfowl, and I learned that 

 several even made a business of putting the eggs in bar- 

 rels of brine for winter use. I asked Capt. A, Joncas, of 

 Natashquan, if it made much impression upon the num- 

 bers of birds, and his reply was that many breeding 

 grounds were now entirely deserted, although it would 

 be difficult to say if there were fewer birds. He said that 

 the eggs were taken so persistently along the coast that 

 young birds which are finally hatched late in the season 

 are unable to migrate, and he has walked for miles along 

 the coast where he could walk on windrows of young 

 sea fowl that had starved and frozen to death. Capt. 

 Joncas is an old Indian trader who follows the coast from 

 Natashquan to the Esquimaux River, and who knows 

 what he is talking about. In giving me that description 

 he did not have the air of a man who was exaggerating. 

 He was sitting on the cabin of the boat smoking as we 

 rolled lazily along under a light breeze, and we were en- 

 gaged in ordinary conversation. 



Sunday is a great egg-stealing day along the north 

 shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The men belonging 

 to the cod fishing companies and the lobster canneries 

 join the Indians and the natives in a search for wildfowls' 

 eggs on that day. I have seen half a dozen boats land on 

 one island during one Sunday, and the occupants imme- 

 diately went to work at collecting eggs. The eggs which 

 were not newly laid were generally thrown away instead 

 of being placed back in the nests. The Indians make use 

 of the eggs after incubation has begun, but I have 

 watched a native throwing eggs all about in disgust be- 

 cause they did not lie flat in his pail of water. That is 

 the test that is employed on the coast. If an egg lies flat 

 upon its side incubation has not begun, but if the big end 

 tips up a little incubation has begun. 



Speaking again of the Esquimaux River I asked one of 

 my Indians, "Joe Mullins," of Olomonasheebon camp, if 

 the Indians ever destroyed more game than they wanted 

 to use. He said: "Oh yes. Last winter we had caribou 

 matches on the Esquimaux River to see who could kill 

 the most, and we killed hundreds of caribou that were 

 left where they fell without being touched further." 



Indians do not hesitate to kill a mother bird or animal 

 for food, leaving the young to starve. An Indiam shot a 

 female goose near my camp this summer and left the four 

 helpless young ones. I asked him why he did not take 

 the young ones, and he simply answered: "Too little." 

 This sounds like a calamity letter, but I have given 

 authority for my statements. Robert T. Morris. 



Tacoma, Wash., Aug. 19. — Editor Forest and Stream: 

 I do not believe that there is any use in further investigat- 

 ing this fake, as I have all along termed it. I had the 

 matter up some time ago for investigation as General 

 Agent of theU. P. R, R., which I was at that time and am 

 still. I also made some little investigation for my own 

 good as State secretary of the N. G. B. and Y. P, Associa- 

 tion, also as a member of the Sportsmen's Association of 

 the Northwest. Recently at Seattle I looked into the 

 matter a little on behalf of the Washington State Sports- 

 men's Association for the Protection of Fish and Game, of 

 which I am first vice-president. But I could find nothing 

 accurate nor positively definite. In other words it was 

 always "some one told me" or "they say," etc., which of 

 course goes for nothing. 



So far as the regulations on public carriers are con- 

 cerned, I can assure you that no shipments are being made 

 nor have any shipments been made. I am the representa- 

 tive of a transcontinental line in this Territory and am 

 here for business; and am satisfied that no such shipments 

 could be made as are spoken of without the matter com- 

 ing to my knowledge. I have communicated with the 

 customs department in British Columbia, and find that 

 they also know nothing of such a business being carried 

 on. I think your issue of June 22 deals very fully on the 

 subject, and on reading it through I find the investigation 

 very complete. Our Association, the N. G. B. and Y. P. 

 Association, undoubtedly took the matter up on informa- 

 tion given by Mr. W. A. Story (with whom I am person- 



ally acquainted and who is State secretary for Oregon of 

 the above Association), presuming that the reports as 

 presented to him were based on facts, and desired to 

 stop the slaughter through Congress if possible. The 

 intention was undoubtedly good and you should not deal 

 hard with Mr. Bortree in his endeavors to do good. I 

 might say to you that at the last meeting of the State 

 Sportsmen's Association for the Protection of Fish and 

 Game, held at Seattle in July, a Mr. Emmons got up and 

 made a speech asking the Association to have the slaughter 

 in Alaska stopped, and stated that he saw the shipments 

 being made, and presented the Association with an egg 

 of large size (I think he called it a swan's), which he said 

 was of the kind being shipped and used for albumen. He 

 left right after he made his speech and before the meeting 

 was over. He said that he had recently arrived from 

 Alaska. E. E. Ellis. 



THE WHEELS OF TIME RUN BACK. 



Mt. Morris, N. Y., Aug. 22.— Editor Forest and 

 Stream: Everett's wild pigeon experience as told in 

 Forest and Stream of Aug. 17 vividly brings to mind 

 similar experiences, and in fact I can find something in 

 each issue that reminds me of a like experience and sets 

 the wheels of time running backward; and for a short 

 time we can live over again some few days of pleasure 

 spent in field or forest with dog and gun, or on 

 stream or lake with rod and reel. 



I thinkrtue hunting instinct came to me at the begin- 

 ning, for among my earliest recollections was a cross-bow 

 made by my father, with which I could occasionally kill 

 a sparrow or a chipmunk, proudly to be exhibited as proof 

 of my excellent marksmanship and zeal as a hunter. But 

 as the years rolled by this gun lost its charms, and I be- 

 gan to long for something more destructive. By much 

 persuasion and many promises not to let my hunting in- 

 terfere with my work, I induced my father to buy an old 

 smooth-bore from a neighbor. The stock was trimmed 

 with pieces of tin and silver, and was so long I could not 

 put it against my shoulder, but let it stick back under my 

 arm. 



Then came the more difficult matter of getting ammu- 

 nition, but by doing chores or an occasional day's work 

 for the neighbors I always managed to keep a supply of 

 G. D. caps, powder and shot on hand, and as I remember 

 some of the wonderful shots made with the old gun I can 

 safely say I never have been able to better them with the 

 high-priced and fancy guns I have owned since then, and 

 they never afforded me one-half the pleasure. For then 

 I was satisfied, knowing that I had a better gun than any 

 boy of my acquaintance. I have never since been 

 able to get a gun that just suited me. In those 

 days southern New York afforded an occasional 

 bear and deer were quite plenty; but they 

 were [too much for me. 1 never attempted to hunt 

 them, but confined my exploits to directing the old 

 gun loaded with B. B. shot against the squirrels and rab- 

 bits (hares), which were very plenty. Pigeons, during 

 the spring and fall flights, were more than thick and 

 many a time have I been detailed to keep them off from 

 a wheat or buckwheat field where they seemed bent on 

 destroying the crops. But along in the early '70s they 

 began to disappear and for the past fifteen years I have 

 not seen a single one. Love for dog and gun have never 

 lost their charm and although "chained to business" I "do 

 the next best thing" and have always found time for an 

 occasional outing. At another time I may relate some 

 personal experience for the benefit of my brother hunters, 

 as I like to read of theirs. 



The prospects for good grouse and squirrel shooting are 

 excellent in this vicinity this fall. Three of our hunters 

 were out last week on opening day and returned with 

 four woodcock and eleven grouse about half grown. It 

 is the universal decision of our sportsmen that the season 

 is at least fifteen days too early, as the birds are too young 

 and small and too easily killed, It makes an excuse for 

 hunting and the young squirrels have to suffer along 

 with everything that runs or flies. It leaves pretty poor 

 picking for those who try to do as the law requires. 



E. M. S. 



ANOTHER NITRO EXPERIENCE. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



I was very much interested in the article on nitro pow- 

 ders in your issue of Aug. 17, and wishing to add my tes- 

 timony I will give you an experience with nitro powders 

 during the past year. Last fall I bought a well-advertised, 

 well-recommended 16-gauge, 71b. gun that listed at $60, 

 and 500 nitro shells, 2fdrs., loz. shot, Opening day 

 came and found us after ducks and snipe on the great 

 Horricon Marsh with every prospect of good sport, I had 

 shot the gun a few times at snipe, and though the recoil 

 seemed great and about every third shell came apart after 

 shooting I thought I would risk it. But after twenty-five 

 or thirty shots I had to desist. At nearly every shot the 

 gun would spread so that it took all the strength I had to 

 open it. The butts of the shells were bulged out and 

 broken, and the jar (from escaping gases, I presume) hurt 

 my head as much as if some one had struck me with a 

 club. My day was spoiled, as I was not in reach of other 

 shells or guns. I sent the gun back to the makers with a 

 few of the cartridges and an account of how it acted. 

 They did the square thing by sending me another and 

 better gun. I changed the cartridges for some loaded 

 with 2|drs., and had no further trouble that season, 

 though my confidence in nitros was not thoroughly re- 

 stored. 



Some of your readers will doubtless remember the expe- 

 rience of my friend while hunting in Dakota last fall, as 

 I sent his letter on to you for publication. He was shoot- 

 ing a new gun bored for nitros, but through the gun's 

 bursting narrowly escaped being crippled for life, and is 

 not entirely over the injury yet. The makers of his gun 

 fitted him out with new barrels, and a finer set I never 

 saw. 



Opening day this year found him and me together again, 

 he with the gun just described and I with an $80 hammer- 

 less from one of our most responsible makers. We had 

 supplied ourselves with the load decided on last fall — 

 2|drs, nitro and loz. No. 9 shot. Snipe and yellow-legs 

 were plenty, and we looked forward to a great day. But 

 after about twenty shots my friend had to stop. His gun 

 would hardly open; the butts of the shells were occasion- 

 ally loosened so they would come right off when trying to 

 extract the shell, and his head ached till it was torture to 

 thoot. My gun and shells were acting the same; when 



the shells did not come apart the base was bulged out to 

 nearly double its original thickness, and the lever would 

 hardly work. Now I believe a powder that will act this 

 way is not safe. These guns were good ones, from two of 

 our oldest and best manufacturers; guns that would stand 

 a lifetime of use with black powder. We both concluded, 

 as the loads were no larger than we had been accustomed 

 to use, that the powder had unusual strength. But is it 

 safe to use a powder that is liable to act this way? Are 

 the makers always sure the nitro or explosive parts are 

 equally mixed with the other? W. E. W» 



THE SPORTSMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



Editor Forest and, Stream: 



A special general meeting of the above Association waa 

 held at the office of the Winchester Repeating Arms Co., 

 312 Broadway, New York city, on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 1895, 

 at 2:30 P. M. There were present: Mr. Chas. Tatham 

 (president), Messrs. J. H. Studer, C. F. Wiebusch, F. S. 

 Webster (secretary), Alfred Chasseaud (Overman Wheel 

 Co.), J. A. H. Dressol (treasurer), W. W. Hart, Chas. 

 Daly, J. von Lengerke, H. C. Palmer, P. G. Sanford, F. 

 W. Sanger, J. Burnham (Forest and Stream), Jacob 

 Pentz {Shooting and Fishing), 



The report of the treasurer was read by Mr. J. H. 

 Dressel. 



Mr. F. S. Webster moved that the financial report be 

 accepted and placed on file. This was carried. 



Mr. F. S. Webster, as secretary, stated that he had no 

 report to make, as the treasurer's financial report covered 

 the secretarial report. The only remark he desired to 

 make was with reference to the work entailed by the ex- 

 position. Every one seemed entirely satisfied with the 

 exposition; there were something like sixty-nine exhibit- 

 el's, all of whom had expressed themselves as pleased 

 with the exhibition, and hoped that they would be repre- 

 sented at another exposition. 



The chairman said that the object of the meeting was 

 to receive the financial report of the exposition, and to 

 take what steps might be necessary toward holding an- 

 other exposition if it was so desired. He would be pleased 

 to hear the opinion of those present, 



Mr. J. A. H. Dressel moved that another exposition be 

 held in the early part of 1896, as may be decided upon, 

 and that a committee be appointed to fix the date. This 

 was seconded by Mr. Hart. 



Mr. Studer thought that it would be advisable to ap- 

 point a committee to see what arrangements could be 

 made with exhibitors before deciding upon an exposi- 

 tion. 



Mr. Dressel differed from Mr. Studer, and thought that 

 they should first decide whether or not they should have 

 an exposition. 



The chairman ruled that they first decide whether or 

 not they should have an exposition, 



Mr. Chas. Daly said that the exposition was not suffi- 

 ciently remunerative to his firm to justify him in voting 

 for another. 



The chairman stated that his firm had not received 

 back the amount they had expended in the exposition, 

 but if there was to be another exposition they would go 

 into it. 



Commodore Sanford, on behalf of the Winchester Re- 

 peating Arms Co. , said that if there was to be an exhibi- 

 tion his firm would exhibit with a larger 6pace than last 

 year. 



The chairman asked Mr. Sanford if he was in favor of 

 an exposition or not, to which Mr. Sanford replied in the 

 affirmative, and that he would go with the rest. 



The chairman said that it was a question of increasing 

 business. So far as the advertisement of a firm is con- 

 cerned he believed that it might be a good thing, and if 

 one wanted to increase the interest income of one's busi- 

 ness it would be of service. 



Mr. Webster thought that the chairman had touched 

 upon a very vital pomt. They all agreed that no one ex- 

 hibitor could trace any immediate benefit from the exposi- 

 tion itself. It had been held for the purpose of increasing 

 the love of sports; that the manufacturers might get to- 

 gether to show what is being done for the benefit of the 

 sportsman, and it was more in that direction than any 

 other that the exposition had been held. No one could 

 say but that the World' Fair had enlarged the field of the 

 manufacturer, had spread trade to a certain extent, yet at 

 the present time no manufacturer, who was an exhibitor 

 there, could trace any direct benefit from that outlay. 

 The Sportsmen's Exposition was started for the purpose of 

 getting exhibitors together and of keeping up the interest 

 of sportsmen, and when it was looked at from that point 

 of view you could not fail to see its importance. Many of 

 the old. exhibitors had expressed their willingness to ex- 

 hibit again, and he had also received eight or ten letters 

 from other companies who were also in favor of another 

 exposition. He did not think the present meeting at all 

 indicative of the feeling of the whole body of exhibitors, 

 as he had not found one of them but was in favor of an- 

 other exposition. Besides these there were at least a 

 dozen others who had expressed a regret that they were 

 not present at the last show. 



Mr. J. von Lengerke said that there was a general un- 

 dereurrent of feeling that there should be another expo- 

 sition. In looking for data for comparison of the suc- 

 cess of the last exposition, he believed the only compari- 

 son that could be made was with the bicycle show. But 

 the Sportsmen's Exposition was different even from that. 

 He then minutely gave his reasons why the public should 

 more heartily support a sportsmen's exposition than a 

 bicycle show. The popularity of the latter was largely 

 attributed to the fact tiaat the manufacturers at the show 

 made contracts for machines for the whole season with 

 dealers. While they could not do that with the Sports- 

 men's Exposition, yet there was so much more interest 

 manifested in the latter that the attendance of the gen- 

 eral public was, he believed, five to one over the bicycle 

 show, and he was of the opinion that at the next exposi- 

 tion the attendance would be even exceeded. 



Mr. Sanger thought that the month of May was not 

 altogether a suitable time to hold the exposition. This 

 year he thought it might be held in March with far 

 greater advantage so far as attendance was concerned. 



Mr. Palmer agreed with Mr. Sanger, and thought that 

 the next show would go far toward increasing the public 

 interest in the exposition. Exhibitors now had a f air 

 idea of what they would require at such a show, and he 

 understood from many that they would have much bet- 

 ter exhibits next year. 



