AmiL a, 1891.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



229 



last t^o days we had had nothing to eat and we were 

 getting pretty hungry. Tnere had been one or two 

 chancfg, on the fmjvth day of our ride, to kill auteiope, 

 but as vve did not know how near we were to the enemy 

 we had not dared to fire a gun. 



When we made the attack every one hoped, I think, 

 that we would capture some food, but either the enemy 

 had been as shcirt'of food as we were or else the ones who 

 escaped had carried ofl: what dried meat they may have 

 had, for there was not a morsel of food in the camp. 



It was pretty evident that we had a choice of three 

 courses: (I) (o continue hungry, (8j to bill and eat a 

 horse, or (8) to kill some game. 



We started back for the camp, determined to starve a 

 little longer befoi-e trying horse flesh. Jack and I rode 

 ahead, the loose horses driven by an Indian followed us, 

 and the rest of the party followed the horses. We had 

 not gone more than three or foiir miles when, as Jack 

 and 1 rose a little ridsre and looked across a flat, we saw, 

 standing on a little ridge on the other side, what we took 

 to be a cow elk. Only our heads had shown and we ducked 

 down and dismounted at once, while the men behind all 

 stopped, understanding by our actions that we had seen 

 game. jHck was a good shot and 1 asked him to kill the 

 elk, for I did not want to take the responsibility of the shot. 

 We cra^Nlf^d up to the ridge and looked over and saw the 

 cow standing there broadside to us and quite unconscious 

 of our proximity. She seemed to be about 200yds. dis- 

 tant, and I said so to Jack. He answered, ''It don't look 

 nearly so far to me, by the ground, and yet she looks 

 small." 



Jack fked and the elk gave a jump and turned around 

 so as to face us. She gave no sign of being hit, and we 

 had not heard nor seen the ball strike anywhere. I said 

 to Jack, '"You must have over-shot. Try her a little 

 lower." He shot again and the elk went' down as if it 

 had been sti'uck by lightning. We jumped on our horses 

 and rode ovpr as fast as we could, but before we got to 

 her we could see that we had been badly fooled. The 

 animal, in the first place, was less than 100yds. from 

 where we had shot; in the second, she was a yearling 

 and not a cow. Finally, she was not killed, but only 

 ereased.'the ball having cut a little line between the ears 

 from which a drop or two of blood was flowing. I 

 guessed what the state of the case was before I got to her, 

 and jumped off my horse and on to her head, while I cut 

 her throat. She began to struggle almost as soon as the 

 knife touched her, but we held" her head down until she 

 was dead. 



A little further on we came to a stream where there 

 were some willows growing, and there we had a feast, 

 and disposed of about one-half of the meat of the animal. 

 The remainder kept us going until we got back to the 

 camp, and we never got a shot at anything else during 

 the whole of that march. Old Man. 



Chadbon, Neb. 



SIERRA NEVADA NOTES. 



THE past winter has been a splendid one for game. 

 By this I mean for the game itself, not for the 

 hunters of game. There were early September rains that 

 started herbage, and thereafter, at wide intervals, came 

 refreshing showers that kept things going until the latter 

 part of February, when heavy rains set in. The snows at 

 no time came lower dowu than at an altitude of 3,000ft. 

 This gave the deer and mountain quail a chance to pass 

 the winter under the most favorable circumstances, and 

 it is to be hoped, will help them to recuperate from the 

 losses caiiaed by our disastrous season of last year. 



I reported great losses last year in both kinds of game, 

 but the half was not told. Other observers, as well as 

 myself, aver that over 7.3 per cent, of the mountain quail 

 ■ lieriahed in last winter's unprecedented snows in this 

 section of the Sierra Nevada. The deer also suffered terri- 

 bly, but just to what extent is hard to determine — proba- 

 bly 50 per cent. Twenty-five carcasses were found last 

 spring, after the snows had melted, on less than half an 

 acre of ground near Michigan Bluff, in this county, while 

 finds of from one to a dozen carcasses were reported from 

 all over this and adjoining counties. 



A bill is now ponding before the State Legislature, with 

 a fair prospect of passing, making it unlawful to kill any 

 male deer, antelope, mountain sheep or elk, for the next 

 six years. Should this pass, and 'tis a consummation 

 devoutly to be wished," it will give our harrassed and 

 rapidly disappearing game a chance to replenish our 

 mountains. Our laws already protect the females of these 

 animals, bub the skin butchers slay all alike when out on 

 their nefarious trips after laicks^kin. 



Last year I recorded in Forest and Stream the un- 

 precedented numbers of Oregon robins, Lewis wood- 

 peckers, blue-fronted jays, common robins, etc. that the 

 severe winter had driven down into this section of the 

 State. Tois year I have noted none of these birds except- 

 ing the common robin, and that is always with us'in 

 winter. 



The berries of the toyon {Heteromeles arhutifolia) fur- 

 nish the favorite winter food of xhese birds, and as it 

 grows in great abundande at this altitude (.500 to 3,000ft.) 

 the robins are very plentiful with us throughout the 

 winter. 



I also noted their great destruction of the olive crop 

 last year, and of the consequent war of extermination 

 that was waged against them. This year the crop was 

 gathered without loss. Another such a year as last 

 year will probably not occur again for two or three 

 decades— perhaps never— and the olive crop and the birds' 

 lives will thus be spared. 



An attack was mide upon our State Fish Commission 

 in the present Legislature, but fortunately failed. It is 

 true that the C )mmi3sioner8 have not done much during 

 the past four years, but it has been due, to a great extent, 

 to the nigreardiy appropriation granted them, and not to 

 want of fffiri. It is true that the late Commission was 

 appointed through political influence, more than for 

 any special fitness for their position, but I believe they 

 tried to do their duty according to their lights. More 

 will be expected of the new Commission just appointed 

 by Grovernor Mirkham, with Joseph D. Redding at its 

 head. If they had a decent appropriation to work with, 

 instead of the inadeqaate sum now granted, they could 

 do a splendid work, But even as it is. I am satisfied that 

 these new appointees will accomplish great good. Mr. 

 Redding is a man of ability, and has served in the same 

 position before, and knows all the needs of the State. 

 His co'comroissioners I do not know, but trust they may 

 be as zealous ae he is. If they prove to be so, the nefa- 



rious netting in our great bays and rivers by the Chi- 

 nese fishermen will be checked. These people tise fine- 

 meshed seines that not even a water bug could crawl 

 through, and destroy all the young fry in the waters. 

 Verily, "all is tish that comes to" their nets." More anon. 



Arefar. 



AtTBUHN, California, March 18. 



ST. LOUIS NOTES. 



ST. LOUIS, April 5.— The King's Lake Club had its 

 annual election last week, with the result that the 

 officers remain the same as last year. 



Our State Legislature has adjourned, and the Hawkins 

 game bill died in the Senate, to the great regret of all 

 sportsmen. 



Last week at Compton Avenue Park there was a live 

 bu-d shooting match between J. E, Hagerty. of this city, 

 and Harvey McMurchy, of New York. Hagerty was 

 badly beaten, the score being 89 to 96 for the victor. 



The State Assembly was liberal to our State Fish Com- 

 mission, having appropriated $9,000 for its maintenance. 

 In connection watu the U. S. station at Neosho, Missouri 

 is pretty well jjrovided for in the way of fishculture. 



Two swivel gun fiends were arrested and convicted last 

 week of shooting ducks at our neiebboring Illinois town 

 of Collinsvilie. One was fined $25 and costs and the 

 other .$10 and costs. 



The Ballard Rifle Team has reorganized and will open a 

 200yds. range. 



The Western Com-sing Associa tion has been incorpor- 

 ated with a capital stock of |5,000. Object, to give 

 coursing exhibitions with hares and greyhounds. April 

 11 and 12 are the dates for the first show. 



A farmer's club over in Illinois is again chasing out 

 sportsmen from St. Louis— rather we should say hood- 

 lums who call themselves sportsmen. Every Sunday 

 there is an outpouring of a rabble with guns which bring 

 disgrace upon all decent hunters. 



A few days ago I ran across Mr. C. Morrison, of Water- 

 loo, III., and he unfoMed to me a tale of fishculture and 

 sport which might well be imitated. In conjunction with 

 four other enthusiasts a small lake of only four acres 

 was purchased eome years ago and stocked with croppie 

 and bass. Now the little body of water contains plenty 

 of game fish and affords most excellent fly-fishing during 

 the whole season. Last year Mr. Morrison says at least 

 oOOlbs. of fish were taken from the lake by the fly. The 

 club of five members is called the Island Lake Shooting 

 and Fishing Club. Dr. J. S. Sennett is president and W. 

 H. Horine secretary. 



Governor Francis has signed the Coots fishing bill, and 

 it is now a law. Aberdeen. 



'•CLOSESEASON"SCREED ABOUT GUNS 



WHAT would sportsmen do during the close season 

 were it not for the weekly visits of the Forest 

 AND Stream; which comes freighted with so many things 

 of interest. The wonder is how it is possible' to get 

 together weekly such an amount of interesting matter 

 from all parts of om- country — "and the rest of mankind" 

 —as is to be found in each number. I have read with 

 growing interest every issue of the Forest and Stream 

 since its absorption of the Bod and Gun, and honestly 

 believe that I have gained more reliable information in 

 geography, natural history, etc., than from all the various 

 encycloppdias. In addition, we have scientific gun and 

 powder tests, penetration and speed of shot and bullet, 

 articles on guns, and gun implements— sights, choke- 

 bores, hammerle-s, long and short barrels, large and 

 small bore, light and heavy weights, etc. 



Some of our modern gun modifications are of decided 

 merit, some of doubtful utility, and some worse than use- 

 less! Among the latter is placed the full choke, which, 

 in close shooting, so mangles its victims as to render them 

 disgusting to look at or handle, and unfitting for the 

 table or the taxidermist. But fortunately this evil is cor- 

 recting itself, and choking is fast losing favor. 



Another is the "pistol grip." Can any one name a 

 single point in favor of that unsightly lump which mars 

 the recent breechloader? 



Another is the recent and at present fashionable ham- 

 merless — the most graceless and ill-looking implement a 

 sportsman ever took afield; reminding one more of black- 

 snakes or oxen withouthorns than a thing for enjoyment. 

 It may shoot as well and be as safe as its predecessor, but 

 what a thing to look at! For gracefulness and beauty of 

 proportion the old muzzleloading flint-lock fowling piecp, 

 as manufactured by Manton and other artists, has never 

 been equalled. 



Many and different kinds of sights for shotguns are 

 being advertised. To this there is no great objection, as 

 they neither hinder nor help in wing-shooting. Who 

 thinks of the sights on his gun when a grouse or quail 

 springs up before him? Although I have carried a fowl- 

 ing piece for more than si^ty ypars, I never think of the 

 sights on my gun unless shooting at a target from a 

 stationary rest. 



The real cause of so many misses in wing-shooting 

 with young sportsmen— and older ones, too, for that 

 matter — is not for want of any particular gun sight, but 

 for want of a suitable drop of the breech. This may be 

 too much or too little. The correct thing is to have it 

 just right, and this only practice can determine, and 

 each one for himself. Mr. Hough gave some excellent 

 hints in this matter some months since. No general rule 

 given in inches and fractions can be relied on for differ- 

 ent persons. The following is believed to give the best 

 satisfaction to all shooters— if it is original: 



In testing a gun (for purchase) place heel plate firmly 

 against the shoulder, with the muzzle drooping, raise the 

 gun slowly, and if the butt of the birr^ls are first seen 

 set it aside, it is not the gun you need; in practice you 

 will generally miss your bird by under-shooting, "the 

 drop is too great. If in the next trial the muzzle of the 

 barrels first come in sight, don't buy it, the drop is too 

 little and you will over-shoot. Keep on trying until you 

 find such a gun that when it is raised to a" level the eye 

 glances along the entire length of the barrels at the first 

 sight without your ducking or turning the head. That is 

 the gim you want, and one that will satisfy you in prac- 

 tice, whether it be stub and twist, laminated or Damascus, 

 or a piece of gas pipe. Many are the ducks I have lost 

 from having too straight a breech. 



Among the hopeful signs is the growing feeling that all 

 spring snooting should ba abandoned m praotice, and 

 Btrictly prohibited by law and enforced oy adequate 



penalty. The sooner the better. Another evidence of 

 healthy growth with sportsmen is that it is not needful 

 to carry 8 or lalbs. of gun metal when out for a day's 

 sport. There may be some excuse for a market-shooter 

 — when out for ducks or geese — riarrying an 8 or lOlbs. 

 gun. But any sportsman — whose object is sport and not 

 slaughter — who cannot make a satisfactory bag of ducks 

 or other game with a Tibs, gun, 13-gauge, had better con- 

 fine himself to rod, reel and line. J. H. D. 



POUOHKEEPSIE, N. Y. 



CLEANING GUNS. 



WORCESTER, llass.— Editor Forest and Stream: I 

 have noticed recipes in the Forest and Stream 

 concerning the cleaning of guns, but I have never heard 

 of a method that could surpass the one that I wiU en- 

 deavor to explain. 



The trouble with most methods is that it takes too long 

 to clean a gun to obtain a favorable result. By my 

 rnethod I will guarantee that any sportsman can'clean 

 his gun in three minutes, so that when the gun is pitt 

 away and not looked at for six months the barrels will be 

 as bright as a mirror. 



Remove the barrels. Hold them over a pail or sink and 

 pour enough hot water tlu'ough the barrels to thoroughly 

 wash them out. Then running a w-oolen cloth through a 

 few times will remove the remaining dust. Wipe dry the 

 exterior of the barrels. Take another woolen cloth, add a 

 few drops of watchmaker's oil (the best preparation 

 known, as it contains neither salt nor acids), draw 

 through the barrels a few times, wipe outside with same 

 rag. The locks can be oiled with the same kind of oil. 

 For the stocks boiled linseed oil is excellent. 



Where not obtainable watchmaker's oil may be made 

 as follows: Take a small bottle and fill with pure olive 

 oil. To this add a small strip of clear lead, Cork and 

 place in a window where the sun's rays will shine upon 

 it. Let it remain until a curdy substance settles to the 

 bottom (about a week's time) or the oil is colorless. Then 

 carefully sejiarate the pure oil from the impurities which 

 settle in the bottle. WlLLLlM Bro"\vn. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



Your correspondent inquires in regard to proportion of 

 alcohol and sperm oil I use, referred to in a recent item, 

 in relation to cleaning guns. 



I use about half and half. The compound is not chemi- 

 cal, only mechanical and requires shaking when used. I 

 might have added to that item, the oiling sponge spoken 

 of is fastened to a metallic tool, such as usually accom- 

 anxps a wiping rod, screwing into the end of the rod if 

 esired. By sprinkling a little powdered emery upon the 

 oiled sponge it makes a fine tool to remove rust from the 

 inside of shot barrels, although I would not rpcommend 

 the free use of emery except in case of necessity, on 

 account of its great cutting power. I prefer to avoid the 

 rust by keeping the gun clean, as recommended. H, L. 



A PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION. 



ON Saturday, April 4, the President issued the follow- 

 ing proclamation. Its effect is to withdraw from 

 settlement or occupancy about 1,500 square miles of ter- 

 ritory on the south and east of the Yellowstone Park, 

 which it has been hoped might be added to that reser- 

 vation. It is now in order for the friends of Park pro- 

 tection to shout Hm-rahl 



By the President of tlie United States of America: 

 A peocla:mation. 



Whereas it is provided by section 24 of an act approved 

 March 3, 1891, entitled an act to reppal timber culture laws, 

 and for other purposes: That the President of the United 

 States may, from time to time, set apai-t and reserve, in any 

 State or Territory having public land bearing forests, any 

 part of the public lands wholly or in part covered either with 

 timber or undergrowth, whether of commercial value or only 

 as public reservations, and the President shall, by public 

 proclamation, declare the establishment of such reservations 

 and limits thereof. 



Now, therefore, I, Benjamin Harrison, President of the 

 United States, by virtue of the power in me vested, do 

 hereby make known and proclaim that there has been, and 

 is hereby, reserved from entry or settlement and set apart 

 for a public forest reservation all that tract of land, situate 

 in the State of Wyoming, contained -within the following- 

 described boundaries: 



"Beginning at a point on the parallel of 44deg., 50min., 

 where said parallel is intersected by the meridian of llOdeg. 

 west longitude, thence due east alone; said parallel to the 

 mei-idian of 109deg. and oOmin. west longitude; thence due 

 south along the said meridian to the forty-fourth parallel 

 of north latitude; thence due west along the said parallel to 

 its point of intersection with the west boundary of the State 

 of Wyoming; thenca due north along said boundary line to 

 its intersection with the south boundary of the Yellowstone 

 National Park." 



Warning is hereby expressly given to all persons not to 

 enter or make any settlement upon the tract of land reserved 

 by this proclamation. 



In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and caused 

 the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city 

 of Washington this 30th day of March, in the year of our 

 Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one, and of 

 the independence of the United States, the one'bundred and 

 fifteenth. BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



By the President: 



James G. Blaine, Secretary of State. 



A RELIC OP ancient DAYS may be seen in the window 

 of C. Louis' gun shop. It is an old musket, originally 

 flint lock, but now altered to percussion, brass mounted, 

 and having a 62-in. barrel, of between 10 and 11 gauge. 

 The breech is st <mped in three places, one design being 

 a large crown, the others smaller crowns having under 

 them the letters G and V respectively. Save a little out- 

 side corrosion, the piece is ia very good condition, is not 

 as heavy as its great length would lead one to expect, 

 and is well balanced. The sportsmen who are striving 

 to create the best "all around" gun might get some points 

 from an inspection of this old veteran. It can carry 

 several handsfuU of small shot for snipe, etc., enough 

 slugs and buckshot for deer or bear, while its great length 

 suggests a feature hitherto overlooked by enthusiasts in 

 the evolution of the "all around" gun, and that is its 

 adaptability as a fish pole when game is shy— a most de- 

 sirable improvement. The weapon was brought in for 

 some repairs by a farmer, who stated that it was given 

 him by hie grandfather. It is evidently very old, but 

 etill in aotiye Bexyioe,^Ogdensburg {N, Y,) Journal. 



