820 



FOREST 'AND 4 STREAM. 



rOCT. 12, 1895. 



At 11 o'clock we stopped a few minutes to eat a lunch 

 and then on we went. The trail lead directly to Scat Pan 

 swamp, which was about six miles away, near a large 

 lake by that name. Here the track circled, and we 

 crossed our old track made at least two hours before. At 

 1 o'clock we found the spot where they had stopped that 

 night, so now we had a clear, fresh track, and could travel 

 much faster. 



£ They were now headed for South Branch again, which 

 we crossed about three miles further up than where we 

 had at first settled. We now had to use much caution 

 and not step on twigs, as the slightest noise might be the 

 cause of starting them, and then it would be good-by. 

 ti At 3 o'clock, as we were moving through a piece of 

 second growth maple, there suddenly appeared to our 

 vision the darkest caribou I had ever seen. He walked 

 from behind a thick clump of bushes and kept on brows- 

 ing, as he had not noticed us. In about three seconds I 

 planted a bullet from my .40 8i "Winchester in his neck, 

 ju,t ahead of the shoulder, dropping him without a 

 struggle, it having gone clear through. 



The other was "out of sight," and we never caught a 

 glimpse of him, although we found the spot where he 

 had turned and made off. 



After starting a rousing fire Frank went at the dressing 

 of the animal, and succeeded so well that at dark he was 

 entirely through with the work, and we rolled the hide 

 into a compact bundle, after which we hung the m^at 

 high up in a tree, out of the way of all animals. Build- 

 ing a wind-break from boughs, we lay there until morn- 

 ing, when we blazed a way to an old tote road, ahout half 

 a mile back, then returning took up our traps and started 

 for camp, arriving there at 1 o'clock. 



Dan had wonderful stories to relate of the "Indian 

 devil" he had heard during the night, and other things 

 equally as bad or worse, but as he is scarcely out of his 

 teens he is to he pardoned if a little nervous, for staying 

 alone in the Maine wilderness is rather poky business to 

 one not accustomed to it. 



Next morning Frank and Dan started toward St. Croix 

 to locate a moose, three having been started two days 

 before scarcely a mile from camp. They stopped that 

 night fully fifteen miles away, but found no fresh signs, 

 so returned next day. 



We tried all kinds of dodges to secure a deer, but in vain, 

 as the snow was rather crusty, thus making more noise 

 than we would had we had bare ground. 



. Friday I again struck out, determined to secure another 

 caribou if possible. Striking due south we walked along 

 an old logging road for a few miles, where Frank started 

 to still-hunt a deer. Leaving him to fight it out, I 

 retraced my steps for a short distance, keeping a sharp 

 lookout for anything that might lead to the coveted game. 



Suddenly I discovered an enormous track, which I knew 

 must have been made by a caribou or moose, so, proceed- 

 ing carefully along I followed on a still-hunt, hardly 

 moving when I left the road and took to the woods. 



This was slow and tedious work, as it was necessary to 

 choose carefully each spot where to place my feet, as the 

 snapping of a twig would likely have started my quarry. 

 Fortunately the wind was favorable, so I had nothing to 

 fear from that direction. 



I had a small pair of opera glasses with me, and would 

 often stop to examine more closeiy objects which would 

 catch my eye. I had traveled about three hours in this 

 manner, and had stopped to examine a pile of old trees 

 and brush which was ahead with the glass. Something, 

 I hardly knew what, told me that the creature was behind 

 that clump. I scarcely dared breathe, so intently did I 

 keep my gaze fastened on it, trying to discern the slight- 

 est thing that would indicate the presence of game, and 

 keeping the glass so firmly fixed that my eyes ached with 

 the strain. 



I had stood and watched in this manner surely five 

 minutes, when I saw an ear shaking over a log which lay 

 on top of the heap. 



Nervously putting the glass in my pocket, I cocked my 

 r ; fle and awaited further developments, but I had not 

 long to wait, for carelessly stepping on a rotten twig, 

 which snapped beneath my feet, and making a noise 

 seemingly as loud as a pistol, caused the animal to start; 

 he gave one look and was < ff, but hardly quick enough, 

 as I managed to catch him on the jump with a bullet 

 which struck him on the right hip, sadly crippling him, 

 thus giving me time to pump in another, which was the 

 quietus, as it struck him on the quarter, going clear 

 through. Upon pacing the distance I found that I had 

 traveled about twenty rods in three hours' time, pretty 

 slow work, but what sportsman would not feel amply re- 

 paid for his labor, as I had added another caribou to the 

 list, thus giving me the law limit. 



Bleeding the animal I fired three shots to call Frank, 

 then returned to the road to wait until he came along. It 

 happened that he was quite near at. the time I first fired, 

 so hearing two shots he had hurried in my direction, get- 

 ting along just as I emerged from the woods. 



After dressing our game and hanging it up, as we did 

 the other, we returned to camp, and after a good night's 

 rest started for the house to get the team, and swamp a 

 road in to enable us to get the meat out. By dint of hard 

 labor we managed to get them out and ready to leave for 

 Presque Isle by Sunday noon, at which place we arrived 

 at ll:30 P. M. 



To any of my brother sportsmen I will say that caribou 

 usually shed their antlers early in November, so that in 

 case you aspire for the head of a bull to use as a piece of 

 art I advise hunting them in October, as both of mine 

 were bulls, but had each dropped their horns. 



Rifle Versus Shotgun. 



Portland, Ind., Sept. 27.— Editor Forest and Stream: 

 Some time ago I called a shotgun a "scatter gun" and 

 said some other uncomplimentary things that were calcu- 

 lated to draw comparisons between shotgun and rifle 

 shooting. I had seen so much about bird-shooting at the 

 trap and over dogs that I began to wonder whether a rifle 

 shot had any claim to the title of sportsman. 



Now I feel grateful to Brother Stark, of New Hamp- 

 shire (I said I would write and call him Brother), for the 

 information that he clips partridge heads with a rifle. 

 And the question is, is it sportsmanlike? If there be he 

 who says nay, let him take a rifle and follow a grouse as 

 it tries to slip away through a thicket. 



If the birds are wild, as I usually find them in Michigan 

 and Wisconsin, and will start off through the thickest of 

 the brush as soon as the hunter looks at them, he may 



have to bring his gun to shoulder a dozen times or more 

 before getting a bead on the head of one. But when he 

 has clipped a head or two he has done something he need 

 not be ashamed of, according to my way of thinking. 



What skill would be required to get such birds with a 

 shotgun? Simply point the gun at them and pull the 

 trigger. But not so fast! That would be unsportsman- 

 like. You must set your dog on, and when he takes wing 

 and goes off as straight as a bee you are at liberty to shoot 

 him in the back, as it were. 



I have listened to the yelps of a couple of beagles until 

 their duet was cut short by the report of a shotgun, and 

 poor bunny lay low, sprinkled from end to end with shot. 

 What chance had the hare? He knew no better than to 

 run his circle, and how much marksmanship was required 

 in the killing? If the sportsman had been equipped with 

 a rifle poor bunny would yet have been handicapped, for 

 the yelping curs gave him no opportunity to elude the 

 hunter; but the killing would have required a degree of 

 skill. When I go rabbit hunting I proceed very much as 

 does the shotgun shooter, the difference being that I shoot 

 a Winchester rifle and have no dog. It requires more 

 tramping, and if I miss the rabbit gets away. But if I 

 hit him I get him. With a shotgun I might wound, but 

 not kill. 



Sometimes I get a number of shots before the rabbit is 

 out of range, but it is fine target practice, if you will 

 allow the term. 



A deer at 75 to 150yds. on the fly in the forest is also a 

 fine target for a rifle. Standing still or running in the 

 open on level ground, it's a pudding. 



If it is unsportsmanlike to shoot at a moose on the run 

 at 200yd8., ho«v about shooting at geese, ducks, etc., with 

 a shotgun at 50 to 100yds.? 



How about shooting at anything, distance waived, with 

 a shotgun? Eheu! G. W. CUNNINGHAM. 



In Michigan Covers. 



White Lake, Montague, Mich., Oct 1.— An albino red- 

 wing blackbird was shot in the White Eiver marsh by 

 Charles Hall last week; it was pure white with the ex- 

 ception of red feathers on its wings. Owingto the absence 

 of the local taxidermist this rare specimen was not 

 mounted, It was on exhibition at the office of the Mon- 

 tague Observer, where it attracted much attention. 



Ducks are unusually scarce this fall, few are seen, no 

 good bags have been made yet. Partridges are quite 

 numerous in the swamps and low timber. Squirrels are 

 also plentifnl in the hardwood timber, on the shore of 

 Lake Michigan. I have not seen a wren or a bluebird in 

 Michigan this year, although I have traveled a good deal 

 through the State. E. S. D. 



On Long Island. 



Duck shooting has begun on the Great South Bay; a 

 number of snipe have been bagged, and quail are reported 

 in great supply in the neighborhood of Manorville. 



Don't Buy Your Outfit 



In the East if you are going on a hunting trip in the Northwest. We 

 have everything you want in the sporting goods line, and our experi- 

 ence will perhaps keep you from buying a great many things you 

 don't want. 



We have all the modern Nitro Loads at Eastern pries. Don't 

 encumber yourself with stuff until you get on your hunting ground. 

 You can depend on us. Wm. K. Burkhard, 57 and 59 East Seventh 

 street, St. Paul, Minn.— Adv. 



Shad in September. 



A trde white shad (Alosu sapidessima) was caught in 

 the Neut-e River below New Berne, N. O, on Sept. 28, by 

 W. F, Moore. This is most unusual. Shad are seldom 

 seen in Southern waters between May and January. Oc- 

 casionally a stray one is caught in December, but there is 

 no record anywhere of one being caught in September 

 before. Let the ichthyologists make a note of this. 



A second shad was caught on Sept. 30 by T. H. Car- 

 mine in his nets at the mouth of Neuse River. 



Oct. 3. —Sea trout (or weakfish) are now running very 

 plentifully at Moorhead and Beaufort, and anglers are 

 after them with hand lines. Fifty fish to a boat would be 

 a low average. Half a dozen young swordfish 3ft. long 

 were caught yesterday in the nets set at the mouth of 

 Neuse River and were brought up to Newbern, where 

 they were regarded with considerable interest. 



Charles Hallock. 



Massachusetts Smelt. 



Boston, Oct. 4. — Smelts are plenty in the market and 

 of very fine size and moderate price. No hook marks dis- 

 cernible and from the quantity exposed for sale no other 

 decision can become to than' "seined." The law is ex- 

 plicit and anything but dubious regarding seining smelt, 

 and the Fish Commissioners of Massachusetts pay no at- 

 tention to enforcement even where attention is forced 

 upon them regarding violation of same. These fish were 

 ciught on the Cape. They are seeking the small streams 

 and rivers to spawn in immense numbers this fall, in fact, 

 in greater numbers than for some years. What with 

 seining and sludge from the factories in the streams they 

 seek, a few years longer and they will go with other good 

 things of the sea to the Ewigkeit. Reignolds. 



One More Leap of the Bass. 



S. Simpson, M.D., who tickles Old Sam and Another 

 Kingfisher, asks what is the explanation of the jumping 

 and shaking. 



When a bass once finds that he is hooked his first 

 thought is to see what is at the other end, consequently 

 he comes out to see whether he has a greenhorn pr nim- 

 rod to fight before he decides upon any definite plan of 

 action. 



The shaking may be due to several reasons. There is 

 the "no you don't" shake, and the shake of fear at what 

 he sees in the boat, and the "I guess I will shake you" 

 shake. He generally doe=> the latter. Joe Cone. 



Cambridge. 



To Restore the Color of Trout. 



If your St. Louis correspondent wishes to restore the 

 brilliant coloring of trout after they have been on ice for 

 a number of days, he can do so by placing them in very 

 strong brine with plenty of cracked ice in it. Let them 

 remain in this bath five to ten minutes, and then wash 

 them carefully in the brine until all the adhering slime is 

 removed. After drying they will be fully as brilliant as 

 when first caught. The change will be like that of a pic- 

 ture from which old and discolored varnish has been re- 

 moved. T. G. W. 



Do You Fish? 



If so, you may be glad to know that the streams along the line of 

 the Lehigh Valley Railroad have been restocked with many varieties 

 of fish, and it will pay you to visit them if you want good sport. Ad- 

 dress Chas. S. Lee, General Passenger Agent, Philadelphia, for full 

 information.— A dv. 



New York State Association. 



President F. J. Amsden, of the New York State Associa- 

 tion for the Protection of Fish and Game, has sent out these 

 circular letters to the Association clubs: 



I. 



I hand you herewith a list of the game protectors of the 

 State of New York. These men receive a salary, and the Fish, 

 Game and Forestry Commission expect that they will do 

 their full duty in their respective localities. It is my hope 

 and expectation that we are to have better enforcement of 

 the game laws than ever before, and to that end I ask and 

 urge on each club and every individual member to render to 

 these protectors every and all assistance possible, and when 

 they are efficient kindly show them your appreciation. But 

 should they fail to perform their duty report promptly to the 

 president of this Association. Yours truly, 



Frank J. Amsden, Pres't. 



I would call your attention to the coming annual meeting 

 of the Association next January, and sincerely hope that 

 your club will be represented. Onr Association has become 

 a decided factor in the grand work of protection of fish and 

 game. The present Fish, Game and Forestry Commission 

 are fully alive to the importance of protection, and look 

 upon our Association both collectively and as individual 

 clubs as their most valuable allies. We are also recognized 

 at Albany, and much attention is given to our views and 

 wishes. If your club have any changes or amendments to 

 the game law that you wish to present, kindly prepare them 

 in due form together with arguments. Make five copies and 

 forward same to the chairman of our law committee, Mr, C 

 W. Smith, Syracuse, N. Y., on or before Dec. 1. This affords 

 the law committee opportunity to get their report ready for 

 the annual meeting, at which meeting no other amendments 

 or changes will be considered, in accordance with the by- 

 laws. Yours truly, F. J. AMSDEN, Pres't, 



HI. 



Section 219 of our game laws is a shame and disgrace to 

 our State. It permits the sale of game during the whole 

 year, and is in the interest of the cold storage companies of 

 New York city. It was slipped into the bill in the closing 

 hours of last winter's Legislature. True, it provides that 

 game must be killed 300 miles from New York city, yet I be- 

 lieve this affords no protection to our game, and it certainly 

 is very unfair to our sister States who are endeavoring to 

 prptect their game. It actually makes New York a "fence" 

 for game gotten illegally. It must be repealed at the coming 

 Legislature, and I request and urge every game association 

 and rod and gun club to put forward every exertion to that 

 end. Please call a special meeting of your club. Lay the 

 matter before them. Appoint an influential committee to 

 wait on all candidates of your locality both for Senate and 

 Assembly. Explain the matter to them and get their pledges 

 to support bill for repeal of Section 249, and follow it up after 

 election by seeing the successful candidates and secure re- 

 newal of pledge. Kindly acknowledge receipt of this, and 

 post me fully on the action you take and what you accom- 

 plish, and very greatly oblige yours truly, 



Frank J. Amsden, Pres't. 



"she Mmnel 



FIXTURES. 



BENCH 8HOW8. 



Feb. 19 to 22.— Westminster Kennel Club's twentieth annual dog 

 show, Madison Square Garden. New fork. James Mortimer, Supt. 



March 10 to 13.— Chicago.— Mascoutah Kennel Club's bench show. 

 John L. Lincoln, Sec'y. 



FIELD TRIALS. 



Oct. 22 — Columbus, Wis.— Northwestern Beagle Club's third annual 

 trials. Louis Steff en, Sec'y, Milwaukee. 



Oct. 29.— Assonet Neck, Mass.— New England Field Trial Club's 

 fourth annual trials. Arthur R. Sharp, Sec'y, Taunton, Mass. 



Oct. 30-31.— Monongahela Valley Association Trials, Greene connty, 

 Pa. W. H. Beazell, Sec'y, Homestead. 



Nov. 5.— Chatham, Ont.— International F. T. Club. W. B.Wells, Sec'y. 



Nov. 5— Oxford, Mass.— New England Beagle Club trials. W. 8 



Nov. 7.— Newton, N. C— TJ. S. Field Trial Club's Trials A. W. B. 

 Stafford, Sec'y, Trenton, Tenn. 



Nov. 11.— Hempsiead, L L— National Beagle Club of America, fifth 

 annual trials. Geo. W. Rogers, Sec'y, 250 West Twenty-second street, 

 New York. 



Nov. 18.— Eastern F. T. Club, at Newton, N. C. W. A. Coster, 

 Sec'y, Saratoga Springs, N. Y. 



Nov. 25.— Continental Field Trials Club's quail trials at Newton. 

 P. T. Madison, Sec'y, Indianapolis, Ind. 



Dec 2 to 4.— High Point, N. O— Irish Setter Club's trials. Geo. H, 

 Thompson, Sec'y. 



HUNTING. 



Nov. 13.— Western Massachusetts Fox Club's meet. 



Oct. 15 — Buckfield, Me.— Monmouth Fur Club's third annual meet. 

 Wesley C. Preseott, Sec'y, Monmouth, Me. 



Nov. 18.— OwiHgaviile, Ky.— National Fox-Hunter's Association's 

 second annual meet. H. L. Means, Sec'y, Louisville, Ky. 



Oct. 28.— Barre, Mass.— Brunswick Fur Club's meet. Bradford S. 

 Turpin, Sec'y. 



1896. 



Jan. 20. -Baker sfleld, Cal.— Pacific Coast Field Trial Club. J. M. 

 Kilgarif, Sec'y 



Jan. 20.— West Point, Miss— U. S. F. T. C. trials. W. B. Stafford, 

 Sec'y. 



Feb. 3.— West Point, Miss.— Southern F. T. C. seventh annual trials. 

 T. M. Brumby, Sec'y. 



COURSING. 



Oct. 23.— Goodland, Kan.— Altcar Coursing Club's meeting. T. W- 

 Bartels, Sec'y. „ , . .. „ „ 



Oct. 28 — Goodland, Kan.— Kenmore Coursing Club's meeting. C. F. 

 Weber, Sec'y. 



