JuNj 18, 1891.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



44S 



J F Whnine. Mak-saw-'ba 22:i010020l- 6 



Al Hofmati. Prnirip 12a0222222— ft 



Thpr.'Wf ri' 18 mev lieA for first nn 10 v-traisrht. Thr- uufrebt 

 WAS inn nse as slio -t off hpgaT'. Hr d prchr. hh 250 ov SCiO ppople 

 sralliii' d tilifiiit tlie ore, the shootinsr on otljer pftris cf ihe 

 ground being ))racnc.'ill v ahandoiifd. T;-l■or^^ <lie tie >Loo!ing 

 begnn it w.- s agri-ed hy th<'' lie men to <\y\-\w oul S4'i apiei e und to 

 stBOt off for the rmiaiiider. From lir":! l.h ii uii to the tenrli 

 the raen tell out rapidly. When L'flic. S:_-hi(-U, C'airneiosB and 

 Eicb weiv' the only ones left in, f'eM nvj; \t as "bout even me to 

 wliic-b would win, XQeiiiman havine inies: d and Woostrr. tliouKhl: 

 also a varlier rlaDger<-ius man, hnvinB pone oni on a fapt driving 

 bird to I he left. Laflin niipfed a rather easy oue, tlifii Cfiirricross 

 got 101) far biicdi nn m, fa>?t white bird a.nd S'vi down. F.ich and 

 Scbifk tb"ii shot another bird apiece and agreed io divide, the 

 remaining' money and lo .s oo' on o£ course for t he diiimoudbadge. 

 Bets were nr>w ofTeicd on Schick, and that. V'leasan' •.'ifiii.t from 

 Mr Pulaslii seomed to w^-ir'ant it, for he was nteady .as a clock. 

 "Mary Jane"' Eicb, howeviir, wts centering (h-. birds '^'erv time, 

 and caught some f ast h f t-quurterers in great sliape as ihe.y 

 started before the wind, po iiiat honors were eany. On his 22d 

 bird Mr. vSchict was not quite in the rislit vilaee, and 50 closed his 

 Iilucky hai tU'. Mr. Biih sawed rigbi on through tlie SoB'raieht 

 in the tie?, and amid T, storra of cheers and congratulations re- 

 lired tbe winner of the ' hiaf trophy within the no'.ver of Illin is 

 to h. stow upon a spovtsinaii. The ties on 10 at 5 birds per man: 



EB Oraau SSOw 



A Klemman 121231113113120 



J Reese 20 iv. 



T Laliiu 131131112111112110 



W.T Baker 11220 



Greo Bfck lO^v. 



A D Oairncross 13337131221112131110 



C H Woopter. .112221212221110 



FE AdamB 1221212^0 



G W Fr.inklin 21110 



J F Schick 1122211211121112211220131-24 



E P J ques 2120 • . 



M J Eicb 1122211211211112121211112-35 



W W McFarland 22132320 



S E Toung 20w. 



P F Stone Oa'. 



Geo Hof mau 2i'222320 



E Marsh 212112230 



Shooting waB coutiuu'^d until dark in rhe ties on 9, there being 

 thirtv -four tied meu. At dusk pis uien reraaiued in, and these 

 had concluded r ot i;o di'-ide, tncrf forc as it w'?i? so lare mid as rhe 

 birds were gi'ovTing; taiber dull and slow, it was deteriuined to 

 fltiish this tie on the following moniinc. It is well that the tour- 

 namc'it began on Monday. By the iime this siio^t and the big 

 club team shoot is over it a^ill be near the close of the week, and 

 there will be small room for suy open toui'nament for the non- 

 re&tdenta. 



THE TARGKES. 



As before remarked, the heavy eutripumade longrahootp. Only S 

 events were run off, the total entries hoverinp so cIoppIv around 

 70 that a phoot was up^rly an all day affair. The company was 

 hot. No bar. C. W. Budd to-day completed a run of 126 targets 

 straight. The scores: 



Extra sweep. 10 Peoria blackbirds, S2: Ueur 10, Fiickeuu-er 7. 

 Tavlor 8, Merrill 8. Gardner 10, A. W. Reaves B, Powers 10, White 



8, E. I. Reeves 5, Heikes 10, Piimphrev 9 Strawn 8. Geo. Khinman 

 ItJ, Am...ro.-e 8, EnRl^ndfi, WalpTt 7, McG^ugh 7, J A RunleO, 

 Atwp.ter 9, Sherer 5, Burmeister 7, Fahntstock 9, Pfbshv 7 

 Cardee 5. Barr 10 Budd 10. Price 6, Toland 7, Flamline 10, Bnhcjock 



9, Sbilline 9, H.Bahcock 10. Cain.cross 10, Kiefer 6. Woo.s'erO, 

 Black 10 Baker 7, Rex 9. Mai shall 8, iMUler 9. Klli. it.i 9, '""op 9, Mc 

 MurchylO, Will a rd 9, Wilcnx: 9, A_dam-i 8, .Tefferson B Schick 10, 

 Hale 7, Knowles 7, Partintjton 10, M isiier 10, Eicb 7, Price 8 

 Deterline 7, Franklin 9, Phillips 9. Burke 6 SteoU 10. L. WiUard 



10, Leopold 10, Royse 9. Sp^iue'-r 9, Blneroc^i 7. Tie-j on 10 sbor out 

 and Duer, Heikes, Rudd, H .uiline, Hamlinc, H. Babcock, Cairn- 

 crosa. Black, McMurchy and WiUard div. tirst, ?.50.85. Tii s on 9 

 shot out and ErRlaud. Fai.nes ock, Miller. J L. Wilcox. Frnnk- 

 lin, RoyBe and Spnuuler div. second, 830 65. Ties on shot out 

 and K. C. White and Ambrose div. tlurd, §21. 



Fouri h programme contest, 12 Pcoria blackbirds, 



C W Budd 111111111111-12 



RO Heikes lllllUlllll-12 



Pumpbrey 010110110011— 7 



G W Res .001111111111-10 



J W Taylor 111110011001- 8 



EUioTf lOlOlIllUOl - 9 



J L Wilcox 111111100111-10 



A JAtwater OllOllOllUl - 9 



J C 111111111111-12 



Burke 111111111011-11 



Torkington IIUIOIIIOOI— 9 



AB.ibcock 001111 llUHll— 8 



<■) li Lloyd llUllllini-12 



O W Parent OOlOllOiOOU- 6 



Powers Ul'llOllill— 10 



M H. Anderson. . .OOUOUOOlOO— f 



R BMiller 0111 1IOIIIII--IO J ARuhle lOlliuilOll-lO 



Fliot-inger lOiOOUOllU- 8 



McMurchy 111111101111-11 



Toland 011001010011- C 



Strawu 111111011101-10 



G Kleinman 111101111001— 9 



Hamlioe OOllllKrdll— 8 



Ambrose 111111011111—11 



B Rook lllllllulUl— 11 



Scon llXtOllOlOlU— . 



WU Henlng nuaillUOl-lo 



.\l Rurtre OlIXWlOOllll— 0 



J R Kinder 101110111011- 9 



VVG Payson IIUIIIIUIOI— 10 



REFrauklin .. .llUlllUlil -12 



H Babcook llllllllUOi- II 



E R Deterline 011111111011—10 



T Marshall 101111110110-9 Tee Kay 001111111111 10 



R U While OlllUlOllOl— 9 



ShiUiDg llllOCIlOilOO- 7 



M J Eicb OlllUOllllO- 9 



Duer inuilliilll— 11 



Peasley llhillliOJ il— lO 



Gardner llllOUUlll— 11 



Wal pert 1 1101111101 1-10 



AW Peck OOllOlllllll— 9 O Leopold 



R AMetle 101111111111—11 R Duer. 



W Cleiaents OlllllOOlOJl- . 



G DavLs inOlOlOllll— 9 



(' Woosrer OllllinUU-Il 



C D K'lowles 111110000101— 7 



W H Halo 100111111111 10 



Sam Booth OOUOllllJOl— 8 



RR \ViiH8wort.h..01ittlO!lllll— 8 



111111110111-11 



....011011011110— 8 



England 101011 llDOl- 9 J 0 Williams O.WllllllOOl- 7 



McEher 001101101111— . 



Partington llllllOlllOl— 10 



Schick 101111011011— 9 



Blak lllllLllllll-12 



Oairncross IIIIOIOIJIOI— 9 



CEWilhird ODll 111101-10 



Cop OllO lOllU - 9 



B B u-r.o lOlOIOOiJiUO- G 



W H Fleming. . .lltujll 100001- G 

 Y C Brahn. . OlOOllOllOiU— B 



P North llOlllOlim— 10 J Church OllllOMllO— 8 



Merrill llllOOlllill— 10 



TicF. on 12 for tirst.iv. hy Budd, Heikes, Black, "J. C," Lloyd 

 and Franklin. Ties on 11 for sec >nd div. by McMurchv, Ambrose. 

 B. Rock, Duer, Gardner. Turtle, Burke, Bahcock. Wooster and 

 Leopold. Ties on 10 for third div. by Rex, Wileo.Tc, Miller, Strawn 

 Peasley, Walpert. Partingion, North, Merrill, Power.", Ru'^h', 

 Hening, Payson, Deterline, Te e Kay. Hall and Willard. Tief. 

 on 9 shot oil, and Atwater and Marshall d'v. fourth. 

 Twelfth progratniiie contest, 24 Peoria hl-ick birds 



Black nil 1111 UllOl ID 1111111- 3a 



GKleinman 10HilllUll0llDnnill-22 



JAR Elliot uumiimiiiniiiiiii-34 



no Heikes llllllD ilUllilllllllll— 24 



RB Miller UnilOlllllUUU 111111-23 



T W Taylor 1I1111U111101I1I1111111--23 



England 111111111111111111111111-24 



JO mill iiiiiiiiiiiuniii- 111 



T A Marshall - - . .lllllODllirillOhainil— 1 ■ 



J L Schick 111111111111111111111111—24 



C'lp lOOilOillOlOllllllliOlOl— 17 



Flickinger 1 llllllHllillllllllUll— 24 



Joiin Davis llllllOllUinoOOinoiU— 19 



J P Burke 111001101 llllllDl<i0h)ll-l8 



A J Atwat er lllOl 1 HID 11 111 111] ] 11 1-21 



Partington llllllllllIDl !lllllllll-34 



W R Fleming IDllllllOllllDinilOll— r2 



E E Deierhne HOD ID lUlO ill 10011001-1 g 



H Babcook OiillDlllllOmilDllOl— is 



A Balx'oo k ( d Lit 1 1 1 111 1111 1 11011 Ih^- 21 



J L Wilcox oiinoiiiiiimuiooin— lu 



E Spanpler llllllllODOIDllUlllOl-21 



L J MeGnugh UllOOOllIlllOUOllOOlOl-lS 



HMcMurihy lllllllDlUlUll nbilD-2;l 



0 M Powe.-s lDllllllllinnilll01!l-2;i 



O W Budd UllimilDinilllDLll-24 



H H Pabnts oek llDlODlllllKOOilDOlll— IS 



E M Gardre:- IIOIIDD llDlllDl HID— t.';i 



Sam tiooth 01 IDiiD 1 D 10 1 i 111 1 11111—21 



Guy Scoit lDllOlllllinilllllllH-2., 



H AMaU.ert llllOlimiOUlIllllllD— >' 



J Shilling II DOOllOilDitDl 111111—21 



Wntmei ts - DliiminilKllliKiOlIDD— 17 



O Str-'wn ailDinrnDDDli/JliD— 20 



W 8 Duer ,.11DD111]1111111D]1D1-21 



P Nonb llllilUMiaillUUlil— 2k 



L WiHa.t. lll0l!lllDDllDU!tllll--2 



LM EaJulne , 1101 lliniUl) lOOOilil-19 



O HLlo.\'' llil ODliniDlUJlIU— .-i, 



A D CUiir cross , illlllllll 111 II nil 11111—24 



RltL-rrili lilOUl UlllDlOllllllOl— 21 



F Moshc, - lllDllUillDDHOlDD— 13 



G Ambvo> (ilDlllDlODlOIiDllin— .'1 



J E Pump ley DllOllllllllODlIDDll— -'1 



A W R >i v B lllOUl 1101 ID 1111 101101 —20 



C W Pareni llllllUulOllODDOllOll— 21 



O E Wmard,.„,.„, . .....,»*....., UOIUI] U1011UOU010H~i9 



A E Peasley nilOllOlllOOllllOlllllll-18 



W H Hale lDlOllDinilOlDllllll-2.3 



0 D Knowdps lllllllODinDllOllDlll-32 



J A Hnbie , lOlllUD DDI D lODll 1 1-23 



R K Franklin 11111 DllDlDlDDDDl -24 



Tk.s on 24 for first divided by Elliott, Il,^il<es, Entria nd, .1 C. 

 Scl 'c'i, Flic k'ncre'-. Partington, Budd. Duor, North. C"irncros% 

 and FranlDia. pxS.lO, Ties on 23 for second dr^w ou' S-t each, and 

 the balance of .5fi0.:i0 was shot nut. Black and Miller dividirit^ after 

 lOstrpJght. Tick on 22 for third divided by Kleinman. Fleniins, 

 Walpert. WiH.ard. Pumphrev a^d Knowles. ,844.30. Ties on 21 for 

 fourth divided by BahcMrk, Spangler, Booth. Shilling, Merrill, 

 Ambrose and Parent, S31.10. 



THE C01srVJ5NTION. 



Shortly after 8 P. M. the regular annual convpiiti->n met at the 

 Palmer House. Tiie attendance was la-ge and the meeting was a 

 good one. 



Dr. N, Rowe. pres'dcnt for the year, was in the chair. His ad- 

 dresi was ve.id by the sf cretary. as follows: 



Gentlemen— As the president of the llliaois State Spoftsmen's As- 

 Fociatioii, I have the honor and pleasure of wfslcommg you to your 

 ser-enteenth annnal convention. 



The Assoeia'inn havinsr been formed for the protection of flsh and 

 game and fi-r the elevation of sportsmanship, it is pertinent that 

 these snbiecrs should be considered. 



The path of the game and flsh protector, as I know hy experience, 

 is not strewn with ro^es. and it require* a stout be.irt and s'rong 

 faith in the ultimate triumph of Che principles which iniliience the 

 efiforts for the protection ot garno and fish to persevere in a cause 

 which I regret to say has heretofore brought to it so Utile practical 

 support. It has been said that hell is paved with good inreutions, 

 and this is mo-t assuredly true of fisn and game protection. Tno field 

 is la' ge, but the zealous laborers in it are few. That, those wno vr< irk 

 to save the ga'ue and flsh from ex'^ermination have the wishes for 

 succe-s of a large majority of those who flsh and shoot, 1 believe, but 

 wishes ard poor suppori. They cost nothina: and mean nothing, 

 beyond, at the most, moral support, and moral support is ibe weak- 

 est and most inelfectnil factor pcs.cible in accomplishing any'lii ig. 

 It is no' a legil tender; it is not a motive power, it is uttc ly useless, 

 and having the most supreme contempt for it. I prefer opeii opposi- 

 tion to it, for opposition stim\datestorenewt-d exertions. "I am with 

 you" means nothing unless beuind 'Leseniiment i -- the motive power 

 which the words convey Let us apply this practically Suppose a 

 house belonging to oue of you shoido c 'tch fire; your neighbors as- 

 seuibls and asi u' e you they are "with j'on"; but .'■it arounl «nd do 

 nothing Would that extiagiu.sh the Are and save the pr 'perfy? No. 

 Bat on come t»vo or three who rush iu and save what th"y can. Are 

 not they worth more than a imliion of those who are ''with you," bat 

 do nothing? Moral support has been the cui-se of game and fl-ih pro 

 teotion, What is wanted ts practical support. The history of the 

 cause is prohtie in suggestions of what should be done, hu' is barren 

 of the evidence of a united effort to do it Napoleon declared ihat 

 the Almighty was on the side of the heaviest artillery, and I thiuk 

 this applies to flsh and game protection as well as to batMes. If t he 

 men who should he most interested will not work in unison and with 

 determination to provide better protection to flsh and game, why 

 should they expect that others shouKi do what they are not willing to 

 do. The proteetioii ot game and flsh from extermination is a common 

 cause, in which every man who shoots or flshe-i should he interested, 

 and the man who shii ks his share of labor in aiding it. f rfelis all 

 right to participate in the pleasure of tiking and stiooting it. No 

 man has a riglit to be a drone and protlt by the 1 .bor of others: and 



1 say to you gentlemen that just eo long as apathy and lacK ot per 

 sonal and practical efforts f'U' the protection of game and flsh con 

 linue, just so long will the present conditions of afl'airs exi.st. No 

 man should feel that he is the axis around which the world of game 

 and flsh jjrotectidn revolves, and that if he should withdraw Uia sup 

 port the whole fabric would fall to pieces; but ev-ry man should feel 

 that he is an important factor iu themaiter and his support is needed. 



John Randolph of Virginia was like all Virginia gentlemen in those 

 days, a connoisseur in horses, and was regarded as an exceptionally 

 good judge. While in Washington, representing his State iu Con- 

 gress, some enthusiastic horsemen, anxious to get what they regarded 

 as the highest opinion, called on nim and asked him to inform them 

 of the three most important characteris'ica in a good horse, and his 

 reply was Action ; Action! Action! So I say to you that the three 

 most important factors in game and flsh protection are Action ! 

 Action ! Action ! 



The trouble has been too much talk and not enough action . Pickens 

 in his pen portrait of Wilkins Mice wber gave to the world a faithful 

 prototype of the average snooter and Qsher. 



Wilkins Slicawber was prolihc in advice to others on the methods 

 neceHsary to attain success in life, and was ever ready to give it. He 

 preached economy and the necessity imposed upon a man to keep his 

 exp.'-nses witnin his income to avoin ruin and misery; but ne neither 

 took his own advice nor practiced what he preached. On the con- 

 trary, he was conspicuous for his reckless improvidence, his conse- 

 q lent pecuniary embarrassments and numerous devices for relieving 

 luem, aid was always "waiting for something to turn up " He was 

 ever reajy to borrow when he could, bun was not so ready to repay 

 the coin he borrowed; wiiii him an I O U settled an indebtedness. 



His friend Thomas Traddles hail n> ice rendered him substantial 

 pecuniary aid, aggregating £41 lOs. i:}4d Micawber was very exact 

 to tiie halfpenny, as at heart ne was honest, and at the time he bor 

 rowed he intended to repay, fully exuecting '-sometbiag to turn up" 

 to enable him to liquidate his obligations. 



Having failed in everything he had undertaken, his latest venture, 

 selling corn ou commission, rebuking the same as bis previous busi- 

 ness txnciiments. he accepted an ofl;er Irom Uiiah Heap 10 become 

 his confidemial clerk, and ir, was necessary for him to leave London 

 to go to Cnnterbury to All this posiiiou. 



Micawber's tetuperaraent was barometrical; at one momeuG his 

 spirits were elevated and at the iiext corre-.poudingly depres-ed: and 

 one of his many pecuhar characteristics was Indulgiig m grandilo- 

 quent rhetoric 



Before leaving London he invited his friends. David Copperfleld and 

 Thomas Traddles. to spend an evening witn him at: his house. Con- 

 cluding an afl^eetiug and grandiloquent speech, Dickens relates he 

 thus delivered himself: 



"Oue thing more have I to do before this senaration is complete; 

 and that is to perform an act of justice. My friend Mr. Thomas 

 Traddles has, on two separate occations. put his name, if I may u-.e 

 a common expre.ssion, t.i bills of oxch>;nge for my accommodation 

 Ou tbe first occasion Mr. Thomas Tradales was left- let me say, in 

 short— in the lin-cb. The fulflUment cf the second has not yet ar- 

 river. The amount of the flj\st obligation (here M.r. Micawber care- 

 fully referrei to papers) was, 1 believe, 23. 4. 9)4; of the second, ac 

 cording to my entry of that transaction. 18. 6. 2. These sums united 

 luaite a total, if my cah'ulatiou is correct, amounting to 41, 10, 11}^ 

 My friend Mr. Copperflvid will perhaps do me the favor to check that 

 total. 



"To leave this metropolis," said Mr. Micawber, "and my friend 

 Mr. Thomas Traddles without acquitting myself of the pecuniary 

 pa- tof this oblig itiou. would weigh upon mv'miud to an insupport- 

 able extent. I have therefore prepared for my friend Mr. Thomas 

 Traddles. and now hold in my hand a docament'which accomplishes 

 tae de.sir.'d object. I beg to hand ray friend Mr. Thomas Traddles 

 uiy 1 O U for 4i, 10, and I am happy 'o recover ray moral nig- 

 nity and lo know that 1 can once more walk erect before my fellow- 

 man." 



Among those who shoot and flsh we And a very large number of 

 Wilkins Micatvbers. f<jr no one can denv that he has not met them, 

 and many of them. Indeed the bistoiy of our State Assoclaiion and 

 our methods of game and flsn protection prove it. 



We cou'Jtantly see great efforts mads to p.is< la vs, and after they 

 are passed much mutual congratulation, and much grandiloqnerii 

 rneioric, foUo-wed soon, however, by corresponding apathv, and, like 

 Micawber, -waitingfor something to turn up" to enforce them. The 

 law-breauer is qiuek to perceive ti'at the interest in the protection of 

 game has waned, and is a- quick 10 t-ilce advantage of it. By and by 

 the terrible slaualiter tans a-iaiii into a Ibiiue the smoldering ember 

 of game protection which Ims l.dti sniothere'1 to the ashes of previous 

 fforfcs, and immediately the old law is hauled over and patched up 

 ■vhore supposed to be weak ; there i.s much self -congratulation, and, 

 li'ie Micawber, each gives his 1 O U to enforce it and also, like Mi- 

 cawber, never redeems hi^ obligation; and ah are "happy to recover 

 tiieir moral dignity and to know^ that tbey can once more walk erect 

 oefore tuetr fellow .sportsmen." 



Aud while tliis has been soingon what has been the re-tilt on the 

 game? To he the titate of Illinois alone. Was there ever a portion of 

 tne world more prolitic in taaie clian this Sra-e? 1 woirr go back to 

 'he memoiy of the aldesr memijcrs of this Association, hue only as 

 far back as the life uf the .■^-sociaiion. Comp tre seventeen vears 

 ig.) aiifi now. Wh.it a cliaiige! I am well awaro thatsuth ihe iu- 

 vreaKi? of uiTillzMiov the large -npply of gauio of necessity must have 

 :eerea>ed. With ihe increase in pupuliiion there h.ms Ijci'ii a Krowtii 

 01: lasle fiir field sport.--, and c .tiScqiiHj.rly a corii-siion m inrr.'fise 

 lit ihe jiumlif.r of shooters. The i cd-mption of m ir-h- , i ilioir 

 uiiliz-iti Hi. as well as och-r wdl 1 lands, for agriculi ural ym p:i-es, ha? 

 driven the game from its originally sechid^-d breeding places into the 

 optii, whe c, ueprived of its previous oppor'Uuities for protecting 

 itself f om Its naiural and unnatural enemi -s, it can be killed with 

 compa'ative ease. Theu the improved modern agricult iral imijle- 

 meuLs have coutribuied to the destruction of our smaller game, hy 

 cutting so close as to destroy often nests with uiUiatched eggs in 

 them and leaving little or no cover for the protection from hawks 



and other natural enemiea, of the young broods of those nests that 

 &scape destruction. The improved firearms have contributed their 

 share, and tbe game slaughterers, and law-violatine- pot-hunters and 

 dealers have left nothing undone to be charged against them. Their 

 portion has been done thoroughly. 



While these engines of de-truction have been at work, nothing 

 effective has been done to GOunt"racc as far as possible their injurious 

 effect-. We have nassed ia^vs, hut as they could not be made self- 

 operative, they have, in a v-ry large nuiubc'r of instances, failed to 

 accomplish their object. In short, we have built the engine, but 

 omitted the motive power 



As prof of what praoti'-al and wise protretion will do. I have only 

 to refer to the. result of protecting prairie chickens iu Illinois for two 

 years. As you are well aA-aiv, rue prairie chicken had become almost 

 extinct, and I am f ran li to c mfess that 1 held the opinion that it 

 must ultimately diB-ippeir witn the Indian aud the bultaio, owing to 

 civilization and agriculture having abs'irbMa its former habitat., and 

 that the proposed protection would not res ore its numbers; but I 

 favored tne measure, desiring tliat anything should be tested which 

 proudsed to save if from extinction. Th" result you know well. The 

 yea- before last, the first year of the expit fiti'm of ihe prohibition 

 period, and last year, the shooting was as Kood in Illinois as in any 

 section of the country I heard of, and superior to a large mijoiity of 

 places where there was rnason to expect it would be better. This 

 fact shows that game soon accu?toins it.self to a changed condition 

 of circumstances, and with protection fi-om its des royers will not 

 become extinct. 



^Vhat I have said of the diminution of game in Illinois applies to 

 almost every otner State, and our Territories also. What deep re- 

 gret the retrospect bring- ; Tbe outrageous destruction of our game 

 IS equaled only by the reckless extravagance of our national legis- 

 lators in giving away our riublic lands. Only if every Ame' ican 

 woman had proved to be sterile and everv American man incapable 

 of procreating, could such prodigality with the birthright of not only 

 tne unborn American, but the born American, be justified Truly 

 can the future historian in referrinij to the wanton waste of our 

 game and lands exclaim; "Inip-ovident heirs to a great estate; you 

 squandered your principal instead of keeping it productive of a per- 

 petual income." I recognize that it is difficult to make an economist 

 in the midst of plenty, aud tuerefore I can undersiaud how years 

 ago, when game was plenty, it was almost impossible to make any 

 one realiz-i that it would ever become so scarcn; but now that we 

 have before us the positive evidence that it has rapidly disappeared, 

 because the smaUerthe supply to draw from the more rapid mtisibe 

 the decrease, it is only the act of wisdom to wake up and adopt such 

 measures tti the occasion points out as being necessary. A compari- 

 son of the present with the past should do this and not whet the 

 appetite, as is too often tbe CT,«e, for more -lausrhter. 



As an evidence of what individual elTort wih do, I refer you to the 

 beneficial rebUlls w hich have iiccrued from the fsrmation of tbe Fox 

 Rivt-r Fish and Game Association, during the three .>ears of its 

 existence, in that section ot the State to which its operations are 

 confined. The positive hen>-fit from it.s labors induced 1 he formalion 

 of the Kankakee Fish and Game A>-sociation, witrdn a few weeks, 

 and as it will operate on tbe same plan as the association which it 

 has patterned after and confine its lahor-^ to tbe territory bordering 

 on the Kankakee, there is every reason for expecting that the best 

 results will accrue from it Large bodies being proverbially slow to 

 move and trnwieldy. I believe much more practical good can be done 

 by such local as-jociatioas, which will c mfine their eff ri,-i to a o<>r- 

 tain territory, such as they can cover, and do their work thoroughly. 

 I therefore hope to see them mnltiply. 



It IS DOW pr iper that I should furnish you with an account of tbe 

 St wardship of myself and my associate officers of you association. 

 I regret that I cannot report any praciicf-l rfsults in the protection 

 of flsh and game. My predeces'^or, Mr. F. C. Donald, told you at our 

 last meeting how he found him-elf handicapped bv the gamt^ warden 

 law and an ineompet mt game warden. The present ofQeers found 

 the same difflculty, ann were unable to surmount It. 



With a view to avad ourselves of the present session of the Legis- 

 lature, and to get bett-T measures enacted for the protection of 

 game. I called a special meeting of the Association for Feb. 13. Tbe 

 attendance was not what It should have been. Oo the contrary it 

 was a reflection on tne main olij?ct for which the Association was 

 formed, and corrobo ated very tnlly the lack of mdividual effort I 

 referred to in the beginning of my address; but the few who were 

 preseut made up in enthusiasm and interest for the lack of numbers, 

 and we laid the foundation of good results for the future. A com- 

 mittee Was appointed to amend our present laws and present the 

 same to the Legislature, which was done. Mr Wolfred N Low, the 

 chairman, wifl report to you later the result of his visit to Springfield 

 an 1 interview witu the committee of the L gisl iture on trame. Two 

 bills were prepared and presented, one making the open seasons as 

 follows: For deer and wild turke.ys from Sept. 1 to Jan. 15; pr-airie 

 chickens. Sept. 1 1 ■ ^ov. 1: ruffed' grouse and quail, Oct. 15 to Dec 1: 

 woodcock, July 15 to Dec. 1; squirrels, June I to Dec 15; ducks, 

 geese and otner waterfowl, Sept. 15 to April 15. And it was provided 

 that ducks, geese and otner waterfowl should not be shot at between 

 sunset aud sunrise, or from any fixed or aj-tiflcial ambush beyond a 

 natural covering of re^^ds, canes, flags, wild rice, or other vegetation 

 above ihe water ot any lake, river, inlet or other watercourse, or 

 from a sail boat, sinicbox or other simiUr d vice, or with a swivel 

 guti. Protection was removed tro n the English sparrows The sale 

 of game was prohibited after the expiration of five days next suc- 

 ceeding the first day of the period in which the close season com- 

 menced. Prairie chickens, quail and ruffed gi'ouse were required to 

 show shot marks, and dealers in game were required to keep a 

 register showing the date of receipt of game, the kind of game and 

 number received and from where received. The other bill p ovided 

 for the appointment of game wardens by the Governor, on request 

 of the Fish Commissioners, virtually placing the game under the 

 protection of the Fi<h Commis ion, a measure I think most desirable, 

 and which I have striken bard for mMy years to bring about, and 

 met with many obstacles in accomplishing. The bill gave the war- 

 dens the power to seize and arrest on sight, and to obtain fi'om any 

 justice of tbe peace a warrant to search premis- s where they 

 iieUeved illicit game to be secreted; but 1 am afraid, from recent 

 advices, that although these bilN wul go to a third reading in the 

 Senate, it is very doubtful if there is time for them to get to the 

 House and pass it before the Legislature adjourns 



Such is the frequent result of attempted legislation for the pro- 

 tection of game; and for thtj reason that there is neither money nor 

 public interest in it. 



I desire to call your attention to the necessity of revising your 

 constitution, and would suggest that you authorize your incoming 

 president to appoint a committee to do it, and that the committee 

 be insti-ucted to provide that in future the officers elected shall not 

 take ofU<'e for thirty days after they have been elected, which will 

 enable the retiring officers to close up their business before retiring. 

 As it IS now, the newly elected offl ers come into office immediately, 

 and the retirins- officers are left without the power to settle the busi- 

 ness they commenced and have oetfn c m luciing for a year. 



I would also suggest that a committee be appointed to revise and 

 modernize your trap snooting rules; an i while on this subject I 

 must congratulate you on the defeat of a bill suppressing pigeon 

 shooting, introduceo in the Legislaiui-e at the in- ligation of the 

 Ilhnois Humane Society Eternal vigilance will be necessary to 

 defeat such a bill at eveiy session of tnr^ Legislature. 



In concluding, I would not be rendering credit where credit is due, 

 if 1 did not commend to your highest appreciation the board of 

 chrectors. I was most fortuuate in my selection. It would not have 

 been possible for me to find more efficient and hard woiking men 

 than Mr. Price, Mr. Donald. Mr. Bunouand Mr. Edbrooke, They cUd 

 all in tlieir power to make this tournament a success. With them id 

 was a matt r of pride to give you a programme tnat has never been 

 equaled at a y previous meeting of tlie Association, and I hope you 

 agree with me that they did it. In retiring from office I shall always 

 remember them kindly for the valuable a.ssistance they gave me, 

 and for the harmony that prevailed, .tlr. Nichols, the fifth member 

 of the board, was unforiuaately prevented by illness from meeting 

 with us. and we were deprived of his valuihle a.ssistance and advice. 

 He had the grip, and we all sympathized with him. 



And, althougn last, not least, I must not foreet our efficient sec- 

 retary, Sir shepard, be who has worked faithfully and without pay 

 for seven years, giving up ids en'ire time during the tournaments at 

 the .sacrifice of ou-iuess interests, and doing the hard wo'k a secre- 

 tary has to do in tbe interim between annual meetings I desire to 

 thank him for the aid he has given ine and for having made my 

 tenure of office easy aud pleasant. I commend bim to your proper 

 appreciation. 



La concluding, gentlemen, I thank you for your .attendance and 

 attention. I have siriv-n to discharge the duties of the office with 

 vh'ch you intrusted me, faithfuOy and to your best !• terrsis. Many 

 Q)f US hdve com- logether at ouraunual conventions for many years, 

 and 1 iiave learued to isok fm-ward to these mentiuHS with pleasme; 

 lUd I hop you and I will meei oi'ten at'ain r. the f ui u e, ami tnat 

 tmong the uleastinle-t of our recollections will be our seventeeutii 

 aunu.tl convention aud tournamen t. 



Roll call fallowed and the following clubj showed delegates: 



linreka. Lake O >.. K t hshurc, Pullman, Dfinui Hnuiii.g Club 

 Ft. Dearborn, Gavfieid, Evmsion, Eva' >t,n. Prairie Fi nstei.La 

 Salle, Gtu. sen ,sp.,risui. n'B. "tmibeili.nd. Bliie l-bujil, W &t Oui- 

 c.'ig Suiitn Chicago, Carmen, Praine, The (:Jui. Ot b of Ohirago, 

 Audubon, Lake George .-shooting, G. aud Caiiimet He.ghts 



The Btcreiary read last year's rain .ites aud they were approved. 

 A number of new clubs, given in above list, were formally ad- 



