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FOREST AND STREAM. 



• July 14, 1887. 



PORCUPINE HUNTING. 



THE many able correspondents of the Forest and 

 Stream have given us very interesting accounts of 

 the capture of nearly everything that wears fin, fur or 

 feather, except the porcupine. 



Our party had been in camp some days on Squaw Point 

 in G-anannoque Lake, where we had gone in pursuit of 

 ducks. We found them quite plenty, but provokingly 

 difficult to get, for the margin of the lake was filled with 

 brush, stumps and dead treetops. This was caused by 

 the dam at Marble Rock setting the water back over an 

 extensive tract of forest. As the trees died, or were cut 

 for timber when the lake was frozen, the tops and large 

 limbs were left as they fell, thus caus:nga barrier impen- 

 etrable by our boats. Every bird that fell in there, dead 

 or crippled, was lost to us, for not knowing the condition 

 of thi gs before visiting the lake, we took no dogs with 

 us for retrieving. 



Tiring of this unsatisfactory sport, I said to my boat- 

 man— James ~w ri :-3en— who has rowed me for many 

 successive years, "Jim, I have heard mat porcupines are 

 to be found in the woods around here, and as I never 

 killed, nor even saw a live one, what say you to a porcu- 

 pine hunt to-day?" "If we go to Lost Bay I guess we can 

 have all the shooting we shall rare for at that kind of 

 game," was the reply. That settled it and soon we were 

 under way. 



The day proved one of the loveliest of the year, one of 

 those October days when life is a luxury, when air, water, 

 mountain and wood all blend harmoniously to form a 

 perfect day. Although nearly a score of yeai's have 

 passed, the impressions of that particular day remain fresh 

 in memory, so that I regard it as the "red-letter day" of 

 all my many outings. The lake shores were bold and of 

 peculiar form and color, the waier clear and blue, with a 

 vegetable growth at the bottom that, as we passed over it, 

 gave one a conception of how forests must appear to the 

 baloonist as he passes them in mid air. Although our 

 objective point included a run of several miles, everything 

 had been so delightful that before I was aware of it Jim 

 said, "We are now in Lo a t Bay, and which way would 

 you go to get out of it?" After looking for an opening in 

 all directions I was compelled to say, "I give it up, you 

 will have to settle that question when the time comes for 

 us to leave." 



Finding a suitable landing place, we hauled our boat 

 up on the shore and at ©nee commenced our uphill tramp, 

 keeping a short distance apart and on the lookout for 

 the game we were in pursuit of. 



We had not proceeded far when, high up in a hemlock 

 tree, I discovered an animal new to me:, but whether a 

 young cub, fisher or wildcat was not certain, as it lay 

 close on a nearly horizontal limb. But my guide at once 

 decided it to be a porcupine. Raising my rifle and sight- 

 ing (or a dead shot, I touched the trigger; a report fol- 

 lowed, but the game neither fell nor moved. This sur- 

 prised me, for the rifle had ever been my favorite arm, so 

 that I considered myself something of an expert with it, 

 having at the target placed the second ball in the hole 

 made by the first. But it was a porcupine, not a wooden 

 target, that I was trying the rifle on now. Soon a second 

 ball followed the first, but with precisely the same result. 

 Surprise now turned to wonder. What could it mean? 

 A glance at the sights and through the barrel showed 

 everything in order. I rubbed my eyebrows, but the old 

 story of a certain insect there was not repeated in my 

 case. A third ball was sent; still with no apparent result. 

 After the fourth I thought I saw a slight shrug of the 

 back, but no change of position. The fifth, sixth and 

 seventh followed rapidly, Jim in the mean time laughing 

 at my skill in rifle shooting. 



But the end had now come. The animal made an effort 

 to crawl up the limb, when its entrails dropped out and 

 he fell nearly off the limb, but held on by one foot for a 

 little, then fell to the ground, a mangled and disgusting 

 mass of quills, blood and entrails. An examination 

 showed that every bullet had passed through the body, 

 leaving fourteen holes in the pelt. This stopped Jim's 

 jibes as to my shooting ability. 



As no use could be made of this specimen we climbed 

 the hill still liigher, and soon another was found in a 

 tree, far above us. After my experience with the first I 

 decided to try the shotgun on this one, although it was 

 loaded with No. 5 shot. A single discharge brought it 

 down dead, rolled up like a ball, and it continued to roll 

 down the hill, the leaves adhering to its quills, so that it 

 looked more like a bundle of leaves than any animal form, 

 as it came near us in its down grade rotation. Why such 

 difference in the tenacity of life in the two animals? 



Having had all the experience in porcupine shooting 

 that I cared for, and having a fair specimen, we took to 

 the boat and started leisurely for camp, which we reached 

 about dark, well pleased with the day's adventure. My 

 guide skinned the animal for me to take home; but it fell 

 a prey to the Clayton rats and never filled the place it 

 was intended for. J. H. D. 



GUN AND GAME IN GERMANY. 



GERMANY has the most stringent game laws of all 

 the civilized states in the world; or, which fits the 

 case rnore properly, the existing game laws are better 

 enforced and better observed here than anywhere else. 

 The natural consequence is that game is comparatively 

 plenty in this thickly-settled state. 



Within one or two hours' ride by railroad from Berlin 

 may be found hunting grounds with red deer, roe, hares, 

 partridges, ducks, snipe, etc. Hubertusstock is in close 

 proximity to Berlin, and there the lover of game may 

 see at any time from one hundred to four hundred red 

 deer in one herd. Hubertusstock is the favored hunting 

 ground of the German Court family. The aged Emperor 

 still regularly attends the Hofjagd (court bunting) every 

 November, when in two days from two to three hundred 

 red deer — mostly stags— are killed. During the remainder 

 of the year no gunner, nobleman or peasant, is allowed 

 to enter these grounds. A large number of wardens pro- 

 tect the grounds and game against all intruders and 

 especially against game sneakers. 



The government forests throughout Germany are only 

 hunted by the prof es ional forester. They * are never 

 rented nor leased for hunting purposes to private citizens. 

 The forester is not allowed to kill more than a fixed 

 number of red deer, fallow deer and roe every season. 

 This number varies and is kept in accordance with the 

 total number of game of each species of each particular 

 district into which the government forests are divided. It 



is due to this rule in connection with the game laws that 

 game is kept at about the same number, and that partic- 

 ularly the red deer has not long since become extinct in 

 Europe. 



Before a person can enjoy the sport of hunting he is re- 

 quired to procure a hunting permit, the price of which is 

 only seA enty-five cents in Pru iiir , but in some German 

 States as hi. :h r.s ?}"!. Thi 3 Iilmting permit, however, does 

 not carry v.-il'n it fcr the holder any more right than the 

 privilege of currying a gun, at least not for the majority 

 of the gunners-. Only those who own more than 300 

 acres of land in one tract are permitted to practice hunt- 

 ing on their own grounds without any further restriction 

 and permission than the hunting permit. The great bulk 

 of hunters must lease a hunting district — Jagd Revier — 

 from some village or town. Such a district is generally 

 from 1,000 to 0,000 acres in size* and the price paid for it 

 runs from $50 to $1,000, the average price being about 

 $150 annually. 



The principal game of most of the private hunting 

 grounds consists of hares, partridges and ducks, although 

 many of them also have a small number of red deer and 

 doe. The average battue of game killed annually on a 

 hunting ground, for which say $ 125 are paid, is about 100 

 to 150 hares, 100 to 250 partridges, a small number of 

 ducks and snipe and from 6 to 10 roe and a few red deer. 

 Partridges can be shot from the end of August to Novem- 

 ber, hares from Sept. 15 to Jan. 1, ducks from July 1 to 

 March 1. male roe from May 1 to Feb. 28, female roe from 

 Oct. 15 to Dec. 15, and male red deer from July 1 to Jan. 

 1, and female red deer the same as female roe; rabbits can 

 be hunted the entire year. 



Every government forester is a game warden and also 

 every police officer. A roe or female red deer killed out 

 of season means for the offender a fine of $10 to $150 or 

 imprisonment and frequently in additon the withdrawal 

 of the hunting permit for a number of years. 



The only persons in Germany who ignore the game 

 laws are those whose pasgion for hunting is greater than 

 their respect for laws in general — the game sneakers. 

 The game sneakers can always be found where bigger 

 game is plenty. They are, as a ride, a desperate cl ss of 

 men, at all times prepared, if they can, "to get the drop" 

 on the officer when detected trespassing equipped for 

 hunting on foreign hunting grounds. Quite a number of 

 government and private foresters are killed every 

 season by game sneakers. Imprisonment seldom re- 

 forms a professional game sneaker, as a rule it makes 

 him only more careful in his illegitimate pursuits. A 

 person once convicted for game sneaking will not for a 

 long time enjoy the privilege of carrying a hunting per- 

 mit. In fact, hunting permits are withheld from every 

 person of ill-repute. Only persons of good morals and 

 acquainted with the handling of a gun can obtain with- 

 out difficulty a hunting permit, which also serves as a 

 permit for carrying deadly weapons. Persons under age 

 are in no case permitted to carry a gun. 



The most popular gauge for guns in this country is the 

 16, a 10-gauge is a curiosity and few use the 12-gauge. 

 Of late the 3- barrel gun, or, as it is called in tins country, 

 the triplet, is quite the fashion. Such a gun is indeed 

 well adapted for this part of the world, where, whde 

 searching for partridges one may suddenly approach a 

 roe buck. 



Most of the hunters here as elsewhere are busi- 

 ness men. They can not afford to enjoy their sport on 

 week days, and thus spend then- Sundays mostly on then- 

 hunting grounds. The laws here do not prohibit hunting 

 on the Sabbath, except that during church hours — from 

 9 to 11 A. M. — the reports of guns must cease. Owing to 

 this fact this class of hunters are called Sunday hunters — 

 Sonntags Jciger — a term which implies imperfection or a 

 stage of amateurism. Berlin alone counts thousands of 

 this class of hunters within its walls. 



The German railroads offer many accommodations to 

 hunters. During the hunting season proper — September 

 to January— every train has its compartment for hunters, 

 where dogs are permittted to ride with their masters, and 

 from which ordinary passengers are excluded. Of late 

 the railroads sell dog return tickets, thus enabling hunters 

 to jump on the train homeward bound immediately 

 before its departure. The fares for dogs are about one- 

 third of the regular passenger rates. Only hunting dogs 

 are allowed to ride in passenger cars, and only for these 

 dogs are return tickets issued. 



In my next I shall, with your permission, dwell upon 

 the different ways of hunting in this part of the world, 

 which show a great difference from the American hunt- 

 ing style. Arnim Tenner. 



Berlin, S., June 7, 1887. 



Adjustable Gun Stocks.— Solomon City, Kas., July 7, 

 Ha,ve I not read in Forest and Stream about a patent 

 adjustable gam stock, or did I dream of it or see it in my 

 travels abroad? I have not seen it in this country, nor do 

 I know of any in use. Have they ever been introduced 

 to the American knights of the trigger? Would not such 

 pay every shooter to "have say one that could be adjusted 

 from a 2in. drop to 4iin.? Then a gun with such a stock 

 would fit any sportsman. I think the thing should be 

 brought into use by some of our leading gunmakers. I 

 would like to hear from some of the older sportsmen on 

 this subject, and especially some of the manufacturers of 

 guns, both the trap-shooter and those who take vacation 

 in game seasons are the principals interested in it. — Gun 

 Stock. 



Colorado.— Hot Sulphur Springs, June 20.— The season 

 is unusually dry and warm. Grouse made a good hatch 

 and are plentiful. A man driving hi horses the other day 

 sa w a herd of seven deer within three-quarters of a mile 

 of tins place, I have not heard of a single violation of 

 law in the killing of deer or other large game this season. 

 Old hunters and fishermen who have formerly followed 

 hunting for market, so far as I have talked with them all 

 commend the more stringent protection now in force. 



Aroostook County, Me., June 30.— Deer and caribou 

 are plentiful, and I think on the increase. Grouse win- 

 tered well and the dry weather this spring is favorable 

 for the young. Bears are not plenty as common. No 

 reports of catches have come to hand.— Spring Pole. 



Bountiful Clackamas.— Since last September in 

 Clackamas county, Oregon, there have been captured and 

 killed 184 wolves and coyotes, 495 wildcats, 18 cougars 

 and panthers, 27 bears, and upon which bounty has been 

 paid. 



HUNTING RIFLES. 



Editor Forest and. Stream: 



Having read with interest the numerous articles on this subject 

 m your columns, and being a user of the weapon for hunting game 

 both large and small, I will venture to give my ideas of what the 

 average hunter in this section wants. The rifles in use by hunters 

 here are most of them of small caliber and light powder charge, 

 viz., .o8-40, .44-40, Winchester and Colt, very good and effective at 

 short range, but with too much curve for the varying distances 

 which we have to shoot over, one shot being at perhaps 60yds, and 

 the next across a hay or pond at from 1 50 to SOOvds. M ow, we want 

 a gun that we can shoot up to 250yds. without change of sights and 

 shoot close enough to hit deer, caribou and all large game. We 

 want more powder charge and a lighter ball, either express or 

 solid, as light a gun as consistent with, the increased recoil, 

 and a patched bullet so constructed that the cartridge can be 

 carried m a bell without injury to the patch. When we can get 

 such a gun the days of the repeater will be over with me. We 

 ought to have a rifle that we are not obliged to hold over or under 

 the game at the distances before mentioned. The secret of the 

 great accuracy of the old muy.zleloedcr lies in a nutshell— heavy 

 powder charge and light bullet. Bat who wants to go back to the 

 old muzsleloader again? 



I have been using a .45-60 Winchester with very good success, 

 but would like a flatter trajectory than it gives, for it is difficult 

 to judge distances correctly in the woods here, and a deer will not 

 always wait for you to measure the distance and elevate your 

 sight ; aud if you hold over or under it is guess work. 1 f you guess 

 right, good, if wrong you are oat your game. It may be slightly 

 hit, to wander away to die a lingering death and do no one anv 

 good; better far to have made a clean miss. I hoiie the rifle 

 makers will turn their attention more toward the hunting rifle, 

 and bring out a gun that will till the wants of the hunters ov 

 northern Maine. With such a weapon and a set of Lyman sights 

 a man may be reasonably sure of getting his meat. 



The Lyman sights are the best I have ever used, and I have had 

 experience with most all ordinary kinds. I have no hesitation in 

 recommending them for quick work and in uncertain light. 



Smyrna, Me. SrarNG Pole. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



The article in Forest and Stream of June 30 relating to rifles 

 and bullets, like some previous articles, contained many useful 

 hints to hunters of large game. But for those following the chase 

 in the. Eastern States quite a percentage will be found that would 

 object to the weight of a Sharps rifle weighing 10 or Tubs., pre- 

 ferring a gun that ranged in weight from 8 to 8)^lbs., and at the 

 same time carried an effective charge of powder and lead. But as 

 nearly all of our breechloading guns— unless of very small caliber 

 — exceed this weight as they come from the factory, ordered 

 otherwise or not. how are we to overcome this defect? Last, year 

 I ordered a .38-45-190 Bullard magazine breechloading rifle, 26in. 

 barrel, and weighing Slbs. 0oz., cut on a uniform twist, one turn 

 in 20in. It answered well enough for killing squirrels, but after 

 trial last October upon the leaves for deer, it proved a failure, so 

 much so that I decided to take it to a gunsmith and have it 

 altered over into a .40-00-190 and cut on a twist of one t urn in ioin. 

 This change could be made by taking a .40-70 Ballard shell aud 

 cutting it down to the required length to hold the powder and 

 lead, and still work in the magazine and carrier block. It has 

 been doubted by some as intimated in previous numbers of this 

 journal, whether any good results would come out of the tinker- 

 ing of any breechloader after it came from the factory. That 

 would depend entirely upon how good the gun was in the outset, 

 and what change could be and was made -afterward. For instance, 

 as my gun came from the shop I was shooting 4 2-10grs. of lead to 

 lgr. of powder. As altered I use 3.16grs. of lead to lgr. of powder. 

 This gives me a much flatter trajectory, a ball larger in size aud 

 thrown with more speed and twist, cutting a much larger hole for 

 blood to flow and giving the animal more of a shock. "The recoil 

 is slight even with shells loaded with Curtis & Harvey No. 6, and 

 the penetration— with balls tempered one to twenty — is good for 

 any game east of t he plains. Cap Lock. 



Fuewsbtjrg, N. V. 



ha and Mivtr 



Address all communications lo the Forest and Stream Pub. Co. 



ON THE MACEDONY. 



J GOT a note one morning from an old fisherman and 

 friend of mine: "Captain, come over into Macedonia 

 and help us," and how I went and how I helped him this 

 story will set forth. 



Among the famous streams of Litclifield county, Con- 

 necticut. Macedony stands first and foremost. How many 

 fishermen have waded up and down it, how many tons 

 of trout its waters have yielded, how many nets and 

 corn baskets have been lugged through its sparkling 

 waters, no one can remember. Go view it now and see 

 the ravages of the bushwhacker and charcoal man. Do 

 you mean seriously to say, Captain, that this is a trout 

 stream? Certes I do; and what a famous one it must 

 have been to withstand so bravely the merciless slaughter 

 of its occupants. Preserve it, guard it well, put on the 

 law, and see that the law be carried out, and old Mace- 

 dony is like the old copper kettle, "the harder 'tis rubbed 

 the brighter 'twill shine." Not many streams, if any, 

 have yielded me more fun and positive enjojment, and' a 

 sense of duty and pleasure to a dear old friend prompts 

 me to give some account of it. It is a fine, e'ear, spark- 

 ling stream, fed by living waters and running into the 

 Housatonic. Near the pretty village of Kent, northward 

 up in the Schagitoke hills, west of the river several miles 

 up, it heads and so comes tumbling and leaping down to 

 its mouth by the river. I am going to try once more my 

 "old bamboo" down through tiie meadows at the lower 

 end of the stream, for I believe patience there may yet do 

 wonders. 



The stream is endeared to me by fond recollection, for 

 I there made a convert of a fly man, and convinced him 

 so thoroughly of the "error of his ways" as to win his 

 lasting friendship. It came about thus: I had met the 

 ingenious youth on "Old Macedony" one pleasant sumraei 

 day when I was loitering down stream, and, as he was 

 rigged out in gorgeous array and with an elegant rod 

 "andfixin's," had had "a multiplicity of talk" with him and 

 had accepted his invitation to join him in a down-stream 

 fish. "What luck, sir?" "None at all. These fish do not 

 seem to be educated up to the fly." "No," I replied, pull- 

 ing out a fine fish under his very nose with an ignoble 

 worm. "You are right, sir. Try some of my worms." 

 "What an indignant look he gave me; with what well-bred 

 contempt did lie refuse my well-meant offer! Fancy giv- 

 ing a man who smokes Henry Clays a penny cigar and 

 you have my friend's expression to a dot. Away went 

 his fly, first under a bush, then on top, then into a tree, 

 then off altogether, and I didn't blame the poor insect for 

 flying away to a land of rest; he needed it sorely. I pur- 

 sued "the even tenor of my way," and brought out fish 

 after fish under the eye of my indignant friend, until at 

 last, taking pity on his forlorn condition, I said to him 

 with a tone that was childlike and bland, "Youth from 

 New York, have you come up here to fish or to merely go 

 through the motions? Are you going to enlighten the 

 'Nutmeggers' a? to how to fish this stream?" "What shall 

 I do to escape going home troutless? Show me the Avay." 

 And I did; and that young fellow followed my advice and 

 took many goodly fish, and if he should mayhap read 



