March 21, 1890.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



189 



MICHIGAN GAME NOTES, 



C™ ANTRAL LAKE, Mich., March 12.- Editor Forest 

 and Stream: Our whiter has been mild, much like 

 $n a verage winter in central Massachusetts. 

 *The deer, which appear to be somewhat more numer- 

 ffeis than they were three or four years ago, have had a 

 jSwd chance this winter and I have hear d of none killed 

 Tflnce the expiration of the open season. 

 iKSTo spring ducks or other spring birds have been seen 

 ■flg.yet to my knowledge, though I have heard reports of 

 [fgbins in January, and some say they have heard them 

 of late. 



I There was no zero weather till March 1, and Torch 

 ijaake and Grand Traverse Bay were open until early this 

 j&bnth, 



■Ruffed grouse were scarce last fall, why, I know not: 

 jggt few were shot in comparison with the bags made the 

 jear before. 



I More trout are to be planted in the Cedar River, which 

 $ encouraging. 



.The sentiment of the people toward the proper observ- 

 jjjbce of the game laws, lias undergone a marked change 

 for tlif better within the last five years, but there is still 

 ■jbom for improvement. 



Some Michigan corresjiondent some time ago spoke of 

 jtibe absence of mallards where they were formerly abund- 

 ant. I also have noted this hereabout, and also the fact 

 tfcat there are now scarce any winter ducks. I think it is 

 flue to the shotgun and not altogether the breechloader 

 Of the tourist, either. For instance, there was an old fel- 

 low from Ohio who settled on our rivers a few years' ago, 

 hose guns, though of ancient pattern, were in his 

 thoroughly effective. He spent a winter in his 

 ty. then departed. Tie stated that during that win- 

 he bought a pound of shot, with which he killed fifty- 

 > ducks. 1 do not doubt the statement. Kelpie. 



A NEW RIFLE AND CARTRIDGE. 



Editor Forest and Sir-earn: 



SThe writer has just tested a new rifle and cartridge, 

 ajnd it has proved to bo such an excellent little combina- 

 j»n for small game and short-range target work that he 

 defhes a little space to tell the rest of the boys that are 

 ■fond of the small-bore about it. 



» This cartridge is a .25cal. rim-fire copper shell 1-Jin. long 

 with the bullet seated down inside the shell. No lubri- 

 cant is exposed to grease the hands or gather grit, as in 

 the old style rim-tire cartridge, but the grooves are cov- 

 ered by the outside of the shell. The bullet holds its size 

 [■dear down to the base and is seated down in the shell 

 .*auie as the central-fire cartridges of the most approved 

 [type and latest idea. This is a new departure in rim-fire 

 ton munition, and the wisdom of it has only once to be 

 seen to be appreciated. The shell holds lOgrs. of powder 

 and a bullet of 6grs. weight. 



Being something of a crank on the subject of small 

 calibers the writer gave his order for one of these .25 

 calibers as soon as he learned that such a thing was to be 

 brought out, and the exceedingly satisfactory perform- 

 ance of this arm has led the writer to take it into print 

 and give the boys a chance to share the pleasures that 

 are to be derived from this little weapon in field and 

 forest. 



i The credit of bringing forth this rifle and cartridge 

 belongs to the J. Stevens Arms and Tool Co., of Chicopee 

 Falls, Mass., a company that has made a specialty of 

 email rifles and whose arms are unexcelled for fbae shoot- 

 ing qualities. 



The writer received a No. 9 Stevens range rifle from 

 this company last week, and with another member of 

 the Massachusetts Rifle Association at once repaired to 

 our range at Walnut Hill to give the gun a thorough 

 test. 



j* In a little box that came with the gun was a note from 

 a well-known crack shot at Chicopee Falls, that said, 

 "Your rifle is a hummer; full score on the standard tar- 

 get at 40yds., out of doors.— Engle." Of course, I was 

 then prepared to sec some good work done, but did not 

 expect to see the rifle shoot at 200yds. in the way it did, 

 | We commenced the shooting at 200yds., standard tar- 

 get, and after a few sighting shots ma.de the following 

 scores, 50 shots, 200yds. , no cleaning, scores 10 shots 

 each: 84, 80, 82, 87, 86, making an average of 83 points. 

 This shows that the rifle will keep the bullets in the 8- 

 inch bullseye at 200yds. without cleaning. We next tried 

 it at 100yds., but kept no record of the scores. It was, 

 however, an easy matter to call the shot before the 

 marker signaled, and it shot just where it was held. 

 Next we went to the 50-yard firing point to see what the 

 capabilities of the arm were for a squirrel gun. After a 

 few sighters, a score of 98 was made on the first trial, 

 and had the daylight held out I am confident that I could 

 have made a full score the next time easily. 



The arm is a jewel, and the lover of the small-bore 

 rifle can but fall in love with it at first sight, for the 

 ■•shooting is simply perfect, and the .22 long rifle rim-fire 

 cartridge— that has been so popular of late— has met a 

 formidable rival in the new cartridge, and while it may 

 seem a little premature, I predict that this cartridge will 

 Supersede the .22cal. both rim and central fire for all out- 

 work. For gallery shooting the .23 short and long 

 rim- fires will, of course, be the favorites for many 

 ons which are obvious. This new cartridge has the 

 d qualities of the central-fire without the trouble of 

 oading cartridges. The net cost of the new cartridge 

 Is $8 per thousand at wholesale, and in quantities can be 

 frougnt for considerably less. We think the price will 

 be reduced by and by. 



Another good point about this cartridge is that a great 

 jiiany .22cal. rifles that have been allowed to rust and 

 ..spoil can easily be rebored and rifled to take the .25 

 partridge, thus at a nominal expense giving us a new 

 trifle. I understand that the Stevens Co. are to do this 

 bind of work in the near future, so that many an old 

 worthless rifle may be redeemed and made to do good 

 Service again. 



As the reader has already discovered, I am very en- 

 Bhuciastic over this new cartridge, and for many reasons 

 think it will become very popular. 



There are many desirable features contained in this rifle 

 &nd cartridge, among which may be named accuracy, 

 'compactness, cheapness, sufficient killing power for all 

 small game at any reasonable distance, cleanliness, no 

 grease being exposed to daub the hands or pocket, and 

 Btability, as it does not come apart and leave the bullet 

 lb the rifle if the cartridge is extraoted without firing. The 



"Hunter's Pet" and pocket rifle made by these people are 

 also to be adapted to this cartridge, I am informed. The 

 cartridges are made only by the TJ. M. C. Co. at present, 

 but I understand that another company is making prepa- 

 rations to manufacture them, This 'cartridge will 'be 

 known as the Stevens special ,25-cal. rim-fire, and listed 

 as such. The .25 20 central-fire cartridge has met with a 

 very favorable reception, and Colt magazine rifles are to 

 soon be placed upon the market that will use it. Some 

 two or three months must elapse, however, before there 

 will be any ready for delivery. 



Any of the readers of Forest and Stream that desire 

 to know more about the new rifle and cartridge will re- 

 ceive a prompt reply if they will send an inquiry with 

 postage to Forest. and Stream, addressed to 



Iron Ramrod. 



A GAME LAW OPINION. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



The following opinion by Hon. Frothingham Fish, Jus- 

 tice of the Supreme Court for the Fourth Judicial District 

 of New York State, in the case of The People vs. Hiram 

 Rouse, is of much interest and importance, as it deter- 

 mines a question which frequently arises: 



"This action is brought by the District Attorney of Her- 

 kimer county upon the direction of one of the State 

 game protectors to recover penalties for violation of the 

 game laws committed in the county of Fulton. The place 

 of trial named by plaintiff is Herkimer county. The de- 

 fendant moves to change the place of trial to Fulton 

 county on the ground of the convenience of witnesses 

 upon affidavits which, if uncontro verted, would make a 

 proper case for the change, provided the class of cases 

 is governed by and comes within the provisions of Sec- 

 tion 987 of the Code of Civil Procedure. 



"There is very little adjudicated authority on the chief 

 point involved, and what' there is of such authority does 

 not continue available because of the action of the Legis- 

 lature, had since the case rel ied upon was decided. 



"The decision in The People vs. McDonald, reported in 

 44 Hun. at page 592, would have come very close to the 

 case but for the fact that it was reversed by the Court of 

 Appeals upon the opinion of Justice Learned, who dis- 

 sented from the majority of the Supreme Court at special 

 term. 108 N. Y. 655. 



"Then, if we take the dissenting opinion of Justice 

 Learned as authority, it was held that, as the statute read 

 at that time, an action could not be brought by the dis- 

 trict attorney of a different county in which the crime 

 was committed. That case would be a safe precedent if 

 the Legislature had not again reformed the statute regu- 

 lating the bringing of action for such penalties. Chapter 

 577 of the laws of 1888, entitled 'An Act to provide for a 

 more effective organization of game and fish protectors,' 

 makes some radical changes bearing directly upon the 

 point here raised, and removes the subject from the oper- 

 ation of the decision in the People vs. Mr. McDonald. By 

 St ction 3 of the last-named act, actions for violations of 

 the game laws are required to be commenced on the 

 order of any game protector in the name of the people, 

 by any district attorney where the offense is alleged to 

 have been committed, or by the district attorney of an 

 adjoining county, and such actions shall be prosecuted to 

 determination in the county where they shall be com- 

 menced, unless for good cause appearing, a discontinu- 

 ance shall be directed by the Chief Game and Fish Pro- 

 tector. 



"The letter of the section does not direct the place of 

 trial in such actions to be laid in any other county than 

 that in which the offense was committed: but the spirit 

 of the section read together quite clearly contemplates 

 the bringing the action in an adjoining county when the 

 game protector so directs. There is reason for holding 

 that the Legislature had a purpose in giving this power 

 to the officers who were charged with the duty of pro- 

 tecting the favored game animals. 



"It is well understood that the enforcement of this 

 class of laws is difficult and fitful; that some counties in 

 which the best hunting grounds are found are largely in- 

 fested with persons who disregard such laws, and whose 

 influence is brought to bear locally, so that it is difficult 

 to secure a verdict against the violators of the law in the 

 immediate vicinity where the mischief is done. For this 

 reason a those officers are authorized to go into an adjoin- 

 ing county to prosecute the men who ought to be prose- 

 cuted. 



"It seems to me that this act was intended to establish 

 a plan of official procedure in reference to the particular 

 subject entirely independent of the general provisions of 

 the'Code of Civil Procedure, to meet the difficulties which 

 experience proves to exist in this business of protecting 

 the game animals from extermination. It does not 

 assume to be an amendment of the code, but assumes to 

 be an independent item of legislation applicable to a 

 special subject. 



"There would be little reason for conferring the author- 

 ity to bring the action in an adjoining county if it was 

 intended to be subject to the power of the c'ourt to change 

 the place of trial for the cause stated on this motion. 

 There would scarcely be a case in which the trial could 

 be retained in another county against such a motion; for 

 in almost every case of violation of such laws the wit- 

 nesses would be residents of the county in which the 

 offense was committed, so that the object of bringing the 

 action where the game protector thought best, would be 

 defeated. 



"Motion denied with costs to abide the event of the 

 action." PORTSA. 

 Utica, N. Y., March 22. 



Will Maine Commissioners * ?n ^ee?— Boston, March 

 22. — Editor Forest and Stream: There has lately been 

 formed in this city a land company, whose land is in 

 Washington county, Maine. If I am correctly informed, 

 they have already built a deer park and are now pur- 

 chasing deer in the Province and Maine, with which to 

 stock then* park, They intend to allow sportsmen (?) to 

 hunt these deer for so much per deer and then are count- 

 ing on selling a part of the natural increase in the Boston 

 market. Will the Maine game law allow them to do any- 

 thing of this kind? As far as I can see, the law will not 

 allow them to keep in confinement more than three deer, 

 and these will have to be taken in the open season. How 

 will the law work about transporting these deer to the 

 Boston market? They intend to start with about a hun- 

 I dred deer,— J, S. C. 



Spring Shooting on the Connecticut.— Essex, Conn. 

 — Editor Forest and Stream: In your last number, 

 March 20, I noticed inquiry of Rittenhouse, of Boston, 

 Maes., as to nearest English snipe shooting, and saw that 

 you referred him to this place. As yet no snipe have put 

 in an appearance here, and owing to the extremely heavy 

 freshets in the Connecticut, which completely overflow 

 the grounds, sportsmen hereabouts are not looking for 

 any shooting worth mentioning this spring. The fall 

 shooting is always altogether the best all along the Con- 

 necticut Valley, owing principally to this fact. The 

 largest bag made here to my knowledge in the past five 

 years was twelve snipe to two guns two years ago, which 

 is not very remarkable. The past two weeks has seen 

 some very good duck shooting in the coves hereabout, 

 principally in Lord's Cove Bay, across the river in the 

 town of Lyme. In fact, this is the first good flight since 

 last fall. Good boatmen, with stool, can be secured at 

 reasonable rates, and three good hotels, one within a 

 stone's throw of the river, exist. Metropolitan sports- 

 men who wish to come here will find the handiest route 

 is to take the Hartford and New York Transportation 

 Co.'s steamers from Pier 24 E. R., which leave daily, ex- 

 cept Sunday, at 4 P. M., for Connecticut River landings 

 and reach here about 1 A. M. Their passenger rates are 

 reasonable, and they treat dogs somewhat humanely, 

 which cannot be said of all tire railroad officials. 1 was 

 very much interested in the "Record of Twenty -seven 

 Shots," of late issues, and wish we might hear some like 

 shotgun records. I consider a man a very fair shot in 

 the cover who can average 50 per cent, kills out of shots 

 taken.— A. W. J. 



Rhode Island Association. — The meeting of the re- 

 cently formed Olneyville (R. I.) Game Protective Associ- 

 ation, held Monday evening, was attended by two score 

 of men interested in the plan to enforce the game laws 

 and to import quail to be liberated throughout the State. 

 They voted to reconsider the vote fixing the name of the 

 Association, and passed a motion that it be called the 

 Rhode Island Game Protective Association. This was 

 brought about by a general agreement that this Associ- 

 ation should secure a charter and seek to organize branch 

 associations in all parts of the State, so that each locality 

 may be more effectively protected by local associations, 

 Messrs. A. J. Andrews, Thos. Aldrich and the president, 

 T. W. Penning, made addresses on this plan which met 

 with unanimous approval. A. L. Andrews, Eugene Ben- 

 der, T. W. Penney, Thos. Aldrich and E. B. Eddy were 

 appointed a committee to draft a constitution and by- 

 laws and to apply to the General Assembly for a charter, 

 Frank Hanley was elected assistant secretary of the Asso- 

 ciation, The secretary was instructed to order 100 quail 

 to be brought from Chattanooga, Tenn., and they were 

 ordered by telegraph this morning. This is the first of 

 several orders to be sent this season. Eugene Bender, 

 Fred Plaisted and Robert Wilson were elected a commit- 

 tee to distribute and liberate the quail. Communications 

 were received manifesting deep interest all over the State 

 in this movement, Charles F. Baldwin, attorney at law, 

 and a member of the Narragansett Gun Club, has offered 

 his services free of charge as a prosecuting attorney, to 

 enforce the game laws against any offenders. The meet- 

 ing adjourned to the call of the chair. 



Netting Ducks on Long Island.— New York, March 

 21. — Editor Forest and Stream: I have just returned 

 from a few days of duck shooting at Shinnecock Bay. 

 The netters are busy at work, and are destroying many 

 of the birds. They set their nets ostensibly for fish, but 

 without success in that direction, and with a great deal 

 of damage to the ducks. One netter in one night secured 

 over eight hundred birds. As this practice of netting is 

 assuming larger proportions all the time, and is becom- 

 ing general all over Long Island, it seems to be time that 

 matters were so arranged as to abolish it altogether. 

 Particularly is this so at the present moment, as the net- 

 ters have recently been successful in a lawsuit brought 

 against them, and now no longer hesitate to place their 

 nets wherever they wish, feeling perfectly safe under 

 the court's decision that it is the duck's fault if he allows 

 himself to be caught in a net set for fish. These nets are 

 made of dark -colored fine thread and are used without 

 floats. In the regular gill-net they seldom if ever catch 

 any ducks, and in the duck nets few fish are caught. A 

 person netting fish will not catch any ducks, and it 

 should be illegal to catch ducks whether the nets be set 

 for fish or not. Stopping the sale of netted birds might 

 be of some benefit. Will you please call attention to 

 these facts in the columns of your paper as they are of a 

 serious nature, and action had better be taken before 

 these resorts will be ruined by the practice of netting. — 

 L. S. T. 



Was it a Gun?— New Ipswich, N. H, March 24.— 

 Editor Forest and Stream: I write to ask what has be- 

 come of our quail. During the last half of the winter of 

 1887 a small flock of five quail came round our farm and 

 we fed them till spring, three only living through the 

 winter. We often heard Bob White through the spring 

 and early summer. When snow came in 1888 some 

 dozen or more came back to their old feeding place, 

 which was a chicken coop a short distance from the 

 house. Nine lived through this time, and we often heard 

 their familiar note during spring, but thus far this winter 

 not a solitary quail has put in its appearance. Now we 

 were much disappointed, as we had hoped by feeding 

 them a year or two more they would become quite plenty. 

 Perhaps you or some of the readers of Forest and 

 Stream can give some reason for their disappearance. — 

 Geo. S. Wheeler. 



Game and Game Laws in Kentucky.— Shelbyville, 

 March 20. — There is no game here except quail, squirrels 

 and rabbits: the latter numerous, the others scarce. The 

 prospect, however, is good for quail for the next season. 

 All these are protected by law, but the law is not strictly 

 observed. I am sorry to say the splendid gun club has 

 lost interest and dissolved it's organization. Another will 

 probably take its place. There is fine material, and it 

 would be a shame for all interest in these matters to be 

 entirely lost. — J. S. M. 



Names and Portraits ojt Birds, by Gurdon Trumtrau. A 

 book particularly interesting to gunners, for by its use they can 

 identify without question all the American game birds which 

 they may kill. Cloth, 820 pages, price $2.n0. For sale by Forest 

 and Stream. 



