516 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Jak. 16, 1890. 



WYOMING BIG GAME; 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



X have just received tue following letter from a friend 

 who is foreman on one of the big ranches in Wyoming, 

 in regard to the game in that Territory, He says: "There 

 are two houses m Casper that buy all the horns they can 

 and dress them and ship them East. I have a pair of elk 

 horns that I will have dressed and shipped to you. There 

 are many hunters here from the East who want horns and 

 such things to teke back with them. There have been sev- 

 eral here from Europe. As to the game, there are plenty of 

 deer and antelope and a few elk. Elk pretty scarce. I have 

 seen but four this winter. There are some about fifty 

 miles west on the Big Horn Mountains, and a few buffalo 

 on the Red Mountain and some bear, but the country is 

 so full of hunters that I think game will be scarce by 

 next fall. As to deer and antelope, there are more ante- 

 lope here than sheep in Barton county. I think there 

 are a thousand in one drove near here; but they are being 

 killed by the carload. Although it is against the law to 

 ship them out of here, they are boxed and shipped by the 

 hundred. Winchesters, .45-70, are used here chiefly. If 

 you come here to hunt next fall I will do everything T 

 can for you." 



How is that for a chapter to add to the story of big 

 game destruction? * It. W. A. 



Golden City, Mo. 



AIMING THE SHOTGUN. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



The late articles in your paper on "Aiming with the 

 Shotgun" are interesting and well worth the attention of 

 those who do not always kill their bird. 



Mr. J. J. Meyrick, in the Jan. 2 number, says some 

 very sensible things. My own observation is that the 

 best shots with the shotguns do very little snap shooting, 

 but aim in the proper sense of the term, e, , they see 

 the relative position of the barrels of the gun with the 

 bird. 



The small, inconspicuous sight that is on most shot- 

 guns helps very little in aiming, but a large white sight, 

 such as I have devised, is a material help. The shooter's 

 chief attention should be always on the bird, and when 

 aiming the barrels should be seen under the bird, and if 

 a cross-shot, in the direction of the bird's flight. 



In choosing a gun it is well to get one having as straight 

 a stock as can be used comfortably, for the shooter should 

 do his aiming well above the barrels. Many people think 

 that -they cover the bird with the sight, or if holding 

 ahead have the sight as high as the bird. This is diffi- 

 cult to do and very few do it. Furthermore, it is the 

 wrong way to shoot. Particularly in live bird shooting, 

 the breech of the gun should be much below the line of 

 sight, so that a good view of the barrels can be had, or if 

 not the result is under-shooting. William Lyman, 



Sedgwick, Kan., Jan. 8.— Will you kindly mail me a 

 copy of by-laws suitable for the formation of a gun club? 

 The game in this section is being mercilessly slain by 

 market-hunters, and it is with a view to game protection 

 that we wish to take steps toward the organization of a 

 club. Quail are numerous, and if not hunted out of sea- 

 son will make fine shooting next year. Duck shooting 

 has been finer this season than for several years previous. 

 But few geese have been killed, as these birds have not 

 appeared in their usual numbers. Some small flocks, 

 however, have taken up temporary quarters in this 

 locality, and on the morning of Dec.*31 Mr. B. F. Wright, 

 of this place, and myself, brought down six fine birds, 

 victims of our decoys. — H. W. C. [We mail by-laws^ 

 which, however, are of a club apparently more interested 

 in trap-shooting than game protection. Secretaries of 

 game protective societies are invited to send us copies of 

 their club books for distribution in cases like this.] 



Moose and Train Collide.— Windsor, Nova Scotia, 

 Jan. 3.— The W. & A. R. train going east Tuesday night 

 struck a moose on the Mountain road, near Lawrence- 

 town, breaking his leg. The train was stopped, the 

 moose killed and taken to Halifax, where it was disposed 

 of. A large herd was seen in the same neighborhood 

 about two weeks ago. Engineers on the W. & A. speak 

 of the moosecatcher of an engine instead of the cow- 

 catcher. 



Adirondack Deer.— A bill has been prepared by Sec- 

 retary Jolin D. Collins, of the Utica Fish and Game Pro- 

 tective Association, to make the deer season Aug, 15 to 

 Nov. 15, with hounding during month of September 

 only. The full text of the bill will be given in our next 

 issue. 



"Locked Antlers."— We have a note from Mr. H. 

 Loring, of Kankakee, 111., which will be published next 

 week, in which he explains that the Michigan deer, 

 mentioned in a recent item, were killed in the last of 

 October and the first of November. 



GAME PROTECTIVE SOCIETIES. 



MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION. 



r pHE Massachusetts Fish and Game Protective Association held 

 X its corporate annual meeting Jan. t\ in Boston, and 91 mem- 

 bers sat clown at the tables of the Thoradike, and as invited guest 

 Prof. Watson of Bus^ey Institute. Five applications for member- 

 ship were presented, and John M. Call, Jr.. and John L. Mcintosh, 

 proposed at the lust meeting, were elected members. The past 

 year has been the most prosperous the Association has ever seen 

 The membership now numbers over 300, not from one locality, but 

 from almost every portion of Massachusetts, there being a few 

 iruni otner Mates also. The finances are in most excellent con- 

 dition, the treasurer having a balance left over of more than $700 

 and the fund committee has also $250 deposited in a savings bank 

 to the credit of the Association. 



With such an excellent showing, the meeting was an unusually 

 happy one: and the members were great! v encouraged for the 

 success of the various workj now in hand, and readv for a new 

 undertaking which it was known would be presented at ttas meet- 

 ing. 



The following officers were elected for the year: President, 

 Edward A, feamuels; Vice-Presidents, Charles L. Woodbury, Hoi- 

 lis Hunnewell, Augustus Hemenway, Walter M. Bracket!, John 

 T. Stetson, Warren H«pgood, Benjamin C. Clark; Treasurer, Fred- 

 1 . Sb febatttick; Secretary, Richard O. Harding; Librarian, 

 John Fottler, Jr : Executive Committee— John P. Woodbury 

 Samuel Hanson H. H Kimball Henry C, Litchfield. Charles G 

 Gibson H. A. Mansfield, Ivers W. Adams. Edward E. Hardy, John 

 $c K " ber 1 , t ?' inward E. Small, Heber Bishop. Horace P. To bey: 

 Membership Committee-Henry J. Thayer, Edward T. Barker, 

 t£*J£™ d no atp8 i' Committee-Benjamin C, Clark, Samuel 



V au f le l T " ? urtls - lhe retiring secretary, A. W. Robin- 

 son, was elec ted an honoary member. 



The following committee report was read: 



Your committee appointed at the November meeting of the 

 Association to consider "What policy, measures and action may. 

 in the opinion of the committee, best secure the welfare of our 

 Association" respectfully oiler the following report: 



The present work of the Association is mainly in three direc- 

 tions: 



First— The publication and distribution of yearly amended 

 copies of the Game and Fishery Laws. 



Second— The investigation of such cases of violation of these 

 laws as are brought to our notice, and the reformation or 

 prosecution of the offenders. 



Third— Appearance before legislative committees at hearings 

 on proposed changes of these laws, opposing those we believe to be 

 wrong and advocating those we think to be needed . 



In all these directions the work should be continued; in the 

 first we alone attempt it; in the second the State Commissioners 

 now have power to act, but as so many cases are continually 

 brought to our attention and it is often inconvenient or even 

 impossible to refer them to the Commissioners it seems best to 

 continue as in the past. In both these directions the present 

 work of the Association need not be enlarged to any great extent. 

 In the third, we should also continue as in the past; our existing 

 laws are by no means perfect and there are constant efforts to 

 make them even worse. But in this connection there is a large 

 field of work which we have never as yet touched. 



Our State Commission should have at its disposal an annual 

 appropriation at least four times as large as at present, and this 

 increased amount should he mainly expended in just one way. 

 If there is any one thing in our line that we have learned by 

 experience it is that the artificial propagation of trout and the 

 re-stocking of worn out streams with them can he successfully 

 accomplished. The trouble in Massachusetts is that it is attempt- 

 ed to such a limited extent. Lender their present appropri- 

 ations our Commissioners can do almost nothing towards re- 

 stocking with trout, or other valuable fish, or towards prevent- 

 ing their illegitimate destruction, and the facilities for hatching 

 and rearing are altogether too small. Further tfban urging suit- 

 able legislation it is not desirable, we believe, for our Association 

 to enter th's field, preferring to leave this matter entirely in the 

 hands of the State officials, who are the proper persons to effi- 

 ciently and economically accomplish the work, but your committee 

 does recommend that an earnest effort should be made by the 

 Association in favor of an increased appropriation. 



The practicability of enlarging the scope of our organization 

 by embarking in the venture of a club house, or of a preserve for 

 the propagation of game has been carefully considered, but your 

 committee do not deem it advisable under our present charter to 

 entertain either propositions, believing that the former would be 

 too great an expense at the present time and the latter might 

 subject the Association to much adverse criticism. 



The committee earnestly recommend to your notice and action 

 the subject of introducing various species of game, having, after 

 much deliberation, thought and correspondence been convinced 

 that it can be accomplished in a practical manner and that work 

 in this direction will be repaid by substantial results and lasting 

 honor to our Association. In regard to subjects we have many 

 varieties of game to choose from, but with due reference to ease 

 in procuring and smaller cost, we believe the most promising 

 ventures to be such varieties as pinnated grouse, sharptail grouse, 

 Western quail and, if it can be done without too great expense, 

 the wild turkey. This latter bird, wherever it has formely been 

 abundant, can probably be successfully reintroduced if trapping 

 can be prevented, and so general is the sentiment now through- 

 out the State against all kinds of trapping and snaring that we 

 believe the experiment well worth our money and time. The 

 reward, if we are sucessful, is worth the risk. Other species 

 might be enumerated, such as California quail (mountain and 

 valley) and Messina quail. Suitable legislation to protect these 

 new birds will be necessary, but can doubtless bo easily obtained , 

 and the question of setting out varieties of food for game birds, 

 which we believe to be feasible, can also be acted on in the same 

 connection. 



Now this work to be successful should be undertaken in a care- 

 ful manner and on a generous scale; there is no use in doing a 

 little or in acting spasmodically, nor can we at the best expect 

 any great returns until after several years of effort. At the least 

 a thousand dollars per annum will be needed. The treasury of 

 our Association can afford a part of this; we trust to the well 

 known generosity of our members to supply the rest by private 

 subscription. 



Your committee therefore recommend that the Board of Man- 

 agement appoint a special committee on this subject with full 

 powers of actiou, and that they be authorized to call upon the 

 Treasurer for funds for such purpose to the extent of $350 per 

 annum for the next two years. 



the report was the occasion of much discussion; it was unani- 

 mously voted that it be accepted, and that the Board of Manage- 

 ment appoint a committee to carry out its provisions in regard 

 to the introduction of game and useful plants. 



The appropriation of 8350 per annum was voted, and a subscrip- 

 tion list passed round, which was very generously signed, it being 

 found at the adjoinment that no less than $530 had been guaran- 

 teed, which with the $350 voted by the ^Association made the 

 handsome sum of $870, with many hearty friends of the Associa- 

 to hear from. 



After business of the evening was disposed of President Sam- 

 uels introduced Prof. Watson, professor of Arboriculture and 

 Horticulture at the Bussey Iustitute, who gave a very interesting 

 discourse upon trees, shrubs and plants useful to our different 

 varieties of game both for food and protection, instancing many 

 species especially favored by partridges and quail as noticed in 

 the extensive grounds of the Institute. Hun. 



BLACK RIVER ASSOCIATION. 



The Black River Fisb and Game Protective Association held its 

 annual meeting at Holland Patent, N. Y., Jan. 8. There was a 

 large attendance and much interest was manifested. 



Secretary W. E. Wolcott, of Utica. presented his annal report, 

 which showed that "Although the Association is only one year 

 old, it has made a record and established a reputation of which it 

 may justly feel proud. Organized Dec. 8, 1888, with a score or 

 thereabouts of charter members, it gained ground rapidly, and 

 before spring had an active membership of over sixty* Composed 

 of gentlemen interested in the protection of fish aud game in the 

 counties of Oneida and Herkimer, and more especially that por- 

 tion of the North Woods embracing the headwaters of Black 

 River, the Association immediatelv began a work which, it is 

 hoped, in a few years will bear fruit in the district to which at- 

 tention was devoted; 35,000 fry of the brook trout, 35,000 salmon 

 and 14,000 German or brown trout have been put out in North 

 and South lakes, and in streams in Trenton, Rcmsen and 

 Forestport. Appreciating the need of a change in the 

 game laws to insure the preservation of deer, partridges 

 and woodcock, the Association adopted a resolution asking 

 ing the representatives in the Legislature from this county to 

 endeavor to have the laws amended so as to make the open season 

 for deer begin Sept. 15 and close Dec. 1, and the open season for 

 partridges and woodcock open Sept. 15 and close Nov. 1. A bill 

 was prepared providing for these changes, but it shared the fate 

 common to nearly all proposed game lawlameudments last year. 

 Th3 influence of the Association was felt in shaping game law 

 legislation at the recent session of the board of supervitors of 

 this county, and in securing the passage of salutary laws relat- 

 ing to fish and game. Other steps in this direction are needed, 

 and it is to be hoped that the present Legislature will see 

 the wisdom of shortening the season for hounding deer 

 Recognizing that the protection and preservation of the forests 

 of the State are both desirable and imperative, the association 

 inaugurated a movement early in March which was everywhere 

 heartily commended and indorsed. Petitions were prepared 

 asking the Legislature to enact such laws as would result m 

 restoring to the commonwealth the Adirondack woodlands now 

 held by individuals, clubs and corporations, and preserving the 

 wilderness tor the benefit and enjoyment of the whole people. 

 These petitions were widely circulated throughout the Sta te, and 

 nearly every person to whom they were shown signed them 

 gladly, expressing the warmest sympathy with the movement. 

 Ot the loO petition headings used ana sent away by your seere- 

 S^J& a - U but about 50 were returned, and attached to them were 

 .,',000 signatures. Of the names received Utica furnished 567, 



er places a 



goodly number. Most ot the petitions not returned to the associ- 

 ation were, forwarded direct to Albany. The State Forestry Com- 

 mission, with whom the association was in correspondence in 

 relation to the matter, heartily seconded our efforts and obtained 

 many signatures, of which they made effective use. The petitions 

 returned to the association contained the name« of many of the 

 most prominent citizens in the places named. Ti l < sv signatures 

 were forwarded to Assemblymen A. B. Baker, in Mav. but as the 

 latter could not then use them to advantage they were subse- 

 quently returned to the association, and can be presented at this 

 session of the Legislature, together with others. It is evide.Dt 



that public sentiment is ripe for legislation on this subject, audi 

 it is believed if the question of Adirondack protection were suthS 

 lmtted to a popular vote the expression would be overwhelmingly 

 in its favor. The association has made a wise move, and sh 

 follow it up. 5 ' 



George G. Chassell, Holland Patent; Friend Bristol, Biou H. I 

 Rernsen; Frank C. Woicott, Trenton; F. X. Salzman, Forestport. J 

 A committee, consisting of Messrs. F. B. Spriggs, I. C. Mcintosh,"] 

 and F. Bristol, was appointed to draft a bill to send to Albany 

 providing for the purchase by the State of forest lands in the 

 Adirondackfr. A resolution was adopted by the board of d irertors, 

 "That the sense, and feeling of this association is that the whole, 

 of the month of August should he struck out of the open season ! 

 for killing deer; and further, that hounding should not he lawful 1 

 until the 15th day of September. In suoport of this resolution, 

 the board submits the tollowing facrs, namely: That of the thiv-. 

 teen States and Territories east of the Rocky Mountains, and the 

 two principal provinces of Canada, New York is the onlv one ' 

 which allows the killing of deer in August, and prohibits killing 

 them m November." 



NEW YORK ASSOCIATION. 



Hon. Robt. B. Roosevelt gave a very handsome dinner to the 

 New York Association for the Protection of Game at his residence 

 on Fifth avenue. Afterward the Association proceeded to the 

 election of officers, this being the 45th annual meeting. The foL 

 lowing were elected: President, Hon. Robt. B. Roosevelt; Vice- 

 President, Col. Alfred Wagstaff: Secretary and Treasurer, Thos. 

 N. Cut.hbert; Counsel, Thos. N. Cuthbert. Executive Committee, 

 in addition to the above officers, Chas. F. Imbrip, H. N. Munn 

 Robt. Lawrence. The Association Is in a flourishing condition ij 

 membership and financially; and it has made arrangements fo 

 a more vigorous policy the coming year. 



Fish Commissioner Blackford gave a detailed account of th< 

 difficulty the wardens had to bring suits to trial, the District At- 

 torney's office being so overcrowded wii h work that it is practi 

 cally impossible to bring the cases to trial. It was strongly urgec 

 that a special warden for this citv be appointed. 



w 



TO RECORD TIME'S FLIGHT. 



E have received from the Union Metallic Cartridge Co. their 



calendar for 1890. It is a copy of the well-known painting, 

 ■The French in Algiers," by Eugene Girardet, the scene picturing 

 a band of French troops bursting their way into the enemy's 

 stronghold, with their carbines loaded, it is to be inferred, with 

 U. M. C. shells. 



The Winchester Repeating Arms Co. send us their calendar, 

 which as usual is in design suggestive of the srrortsman's use of 

 their rifles for various species of game, from moofie to wild 

 turkeys. 



The enterprising Spratts Patent have published a calendar 

 which has twelve hunting scenes, most of them in the olden time, 

 in which various breeds of game dogs are shown in pursuit of 

 their game. 



After Breakfast.— You may take the most elegant and com- 

 plete vestibule tram ever constructed, leaving Chicago dailv at 

 10:15 A. M., via the Chicago and Atlantic Railway. The magnifi- 

 cent trains offer unsurpassed accommodations for all classes of 

 travel for New York, Boston and Eastern cities. Pullman dining 

 cars are a feature of this new departure, and run through in 

 either direction between Chicago and New York. Instead of ex- 

 acting extra charges for fast time and the peerless accommoda- 

 tions proffered, the Chicago and Atlantic through its own agen- 

 cies and those of connecting fines quotes fares to Eastern cities 

 from $1.50 to $3.00 less than is charged by other routes. Consult 

 your local ticket agent on this important item, or for maps, fold- 

 ers and time cards giving full information nf the Chicago aud 

 Atlantic, New York and Chicago Vestibuled Limited carrying all 

 classes of passengers. Address for prompt reply F. C, Donald, 

 General Passenger Agent, Chicago. Inclose two green stamps 

 for an amusing, novel and paradoxically ingenious toy. A harm- 

 less, fireless, powderless, everlasting fire cracker.— A.dv. 



NEW ENGLAND TROUT AND SALMON 

 CLUB. 



NESTLING at the foot of the southernmost range of the 

 Green Mountains of Vermont, miles away from 

 human habitation and deep in the forests of the southern 

 portion of the old town of Marlborough, lies a small and 

 beautiful lake of crystal water. Prom the earliest times 

 tradition tells of the trout in this lake. A favorite tale 

 of the elderly people of this ancient burg is, that during 

 the years following the first settlement of this section it 

 was a common occurrence for a farmer to go to the lake, 

 taking with him an ordinary cart, drawn by a sturdy 

 yoke of oxen, and at the close of the day return to his I 

 home with the body of his cart full of trout, as fine as ) 

 human eye ever gazed upon. However much of truth 

 there may be in the story, it is well established that Lake 

 Marlborough is a natural breeding ground for trout, and 

 has been so as long as the memory of man can tell. 

 Many are the fine strings of beauties that bear testimony 

 to this fact; and the catches of trout taken in these waters 

 which have graced the table at a convivial gathering of 

 the followers of Izaak Walton ha\e given rise to the tra- 

 dition that Marlborough trout for peculiar delicacy of 

 flavor surpass those of any other locality. Su limpid and 

 clear are the waters that at a depth of" 20f t. fish may be 

 seen lying upon the clear gravel of the bottom or darting 

 away at the approach of the intruder. 



It is not strange, therefore, iu these days when good 

 fishing can only be had by a long and tedious excursion 

 to the wilderness and a denial of every comfort of civili - 

 zation, that steps were taken to preserve this most re- 

 markable fishing ground from the ruthless hand of the 

 pot-fisher and other thoughtless specimens of humanity, 

 whose only apparent mission upon earth is to kill and de- 

 stroy. Then, too, the anticipation of the action of the 

 Canadian Government in increasing the rentals of the 

 public waters leased by fishing clubs, many of whose 

 members are scattered throughout New England, and the 

 consequent appreciation in value of suitable waters easily 

 accessible, made more apparent the desirability of intel- 

 ligent control and regulation by true sportsmen of such a 

 natural fishing ground as this. 



In the spring of 1889 a few gentlemen who love and 

 appreciate good fishing and who had long cherished the 

 idea of a private ownership of this water, which had af- 

 forded them so many days of first-class sport, took de- 

 cided action in regard to it by the formation of the New 

 England Trout and Salmon Club. The purpose of this 

 organization was the purchase and control of Lake 

 Marlborough, and the breeding and propagation of trout 

 and salmon in its waters, and also the building of a club 

 house, stables, hatcheries and artificial ponds and other 

 incidentals to a sportsmen's club. Through the friendly 

 aid of Lieut, -Gov. Fuller, who also became a member of 

 the club, a charter was obtained from the Legislature of 

 the State providing for a club of one hundred members, 

 and authorizing the holding of lands and other property 

 incidental to its purposes. The charter members of the 

 club were from all parts of New England and New York, 

 State. In Boston. New York, Worcester. Hartford and 



