382 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Nov. 13, 1881. 



Chatham Fish and Game Protective Association of 

 New Jersey.— The results of restocking the territory 

 covered by this Association were largely exhibited on 

 Nov, 3 and 3, the first two days of the open season for 

 quail. In every locality where quail had been turned 

 out last spring they were found more abundant than for 

 years, except in one instance. In this latter case lawless 

 poachers went upon the ground and killed off probably 

 the larger number of those that were turned out in the 

 spring. Reports from members and their friends, as well 

 as from the farmers, were of the most gratifying charac- 

 ter. Not only were a large number of quail shot, but 

 niany ijartridges, woodcock, snipe, rabbits and a sprink- 

 ling of raccoons a.nd other small animals. One ti-espasser 

 was arrested and his gun confiscated by the game war- 

 dens. A few sportsmen who, ignorantly or otherwise, 

 were upon the grounds, were met by game wardens, con- 

 stables or members and prudently took their leave. The 

 farmers and land owners are deeply gratified at the 

 almost entire freedom from annoyance and the destruc- 

 tion of domestic fowls. The community is generally in 

 favor of the action of this Association. The territory is 

 being enlarged in a considerable measure by the volun- 

 tary requests of farmers and land owners for permission 

 to sign the Association agreements. Arrangements are 

 being made to have permanent covers erected as protec- 

 tion for quail and other game birds, and supply them 

 with buckwheat and other food during the coming win- 

 ter. The frame for the new club house opposite the 

 Chatham Station is now being constructed. — R. 



How to Tell the Point of Cojipass with a Knife 

 AZND A Watch.— £'cZ#o?' Forest and Stjvam: Not long 

 ago one of your correspondents told how to find the points 

 of compass with a watch, but he said nothing about find- 

 ing the sun on a dark day, and that is a very important 

 part of the programme. ' My way of finding where I am 

 when lost in the field or upon the water on a cloudy day, 

 is to place the point of a knife blade upon the middle of 

 my thumb nail- the blade in a line perpendicular to the 

 plane of the nail, A shadow will then be seen upon the 

 nail pointing at the knife point, and one can readily de- 

 termine where the sun is. If l,he hour hand of a watch 

 is then pointed at the sim, half of the distance between 

 the hour hand and 12 o^clock is due south at any time 

 between 6 A. M. and fj t\ M. Between the hours of 6 l^. 

 M. and 6 A. M. half of the distance between the hour 

 hand 13 o'clock is due north. In the woods one can be 

 deceived by the nail shadow if he stands among trees 

 and light comes through an opening in the forest. It is 

 necessary to stand in an opening clear from the trees, and 

 then it must be a very dark day indeed when the nail 

 shadow is not sufficiently well defined to give the direc- 

 tion of the sun. I never bother to carrv a compass on 

 hunting trips.— Robt. T, Morris, M.D. 



Ntght Shooting Ducks on the Potomac— On Sun- 

 day morning, Nov. 1, a little before daylight, two men 

 were seen shooting ducks by the aid "of a large head- 

 light, such as may be seen on canal boats, at Four-Mile 

 Run, near Washington. They fired a great many shots 

 and seemed to be killing plenty of game, paddling up 

 and down in the vicinity, and w'ithin easy reach of the 

 pclice boat. Heve was a double violation of the law — 

 shooting on Sunday and using a light. Yet the paid pro- 

 tectors of our game slept serenely through the entire 

 bombardment. Is it wonderful that law-abiding sports- 

 men seldom find a duck within rifle shot? 



Long Island.— Oakdale, Nov. 4.— The whole of Suf- 

 folk county is a natural game preserve and we want our 

 own laws. There should be a law against killing deer 

 for five or ten years; law on rabbits to be the same as on 

 quail (November and December); to snare rabbits unlaw- 

 t*ul, as the apj)le bait catches partridges; strict law on 

 shooting on the Sabbath on the bay and upland; fines for 

 snaring, trapping and trespassing should be heavy; a 

 strict law against the netting of ducks. Quail are_very 

 scarce. After a deal of hard work my son and I got 

 only eight on the first day.— Alfred A. F'rasee. 



West Virginia Game.— Mr. T. B. Wilson writes from 

 Capon Valley, Hardy county, that pheasants and turkeys 

 are as plentiful as they were ten years ago, and we know 

 from experience that they were abundant enough then to 

 satisfy any reasonable hunter. Deer, however, appear to 

 be growing scarcer, whUe signs of bear are unusually 

 promising. There is a great quantity of chestnut mast, 

 and Mr. Wilson believes the game will be likely to stay 

 in the region. — T. H. B. 



Mississippi.— Meridian, Oct. 36.— Weather here has 

 been dryer than in any year of the eight or nine I have 

 been in the South. A party of three went squirrel hunt- 

 ing about two weeks ago, getting 37 in two days. Had it 

 not been for the wind and the extreme dryness of the 

 fallen leaves the score would have been doubled or 

 trebled. All reports indicate a fine season for quail, but 

 we must have rain and cooler weather to make hunting 



t^l rto c(0 ^— (jT ^^Sf S 



Drought and No Ducks.— Forgo, Nov. 1.— I seai-ched 

 the northern and central parts of Minnesota for duck 

 shooting, and I can assure you it is not there, nor in South 

 Dakota either. Small lakes all dry. I put out money, 

 brains and time to find ten days' good shooting, and 

 failed. Let the duck hunter be migJity certain that his 

 particular spot is all right or he will get left this year — 

 Pink Edg-e. 



Cderituck DtjCkS.— Mr. Charles Hallock, on board 

 steamer Newbern, Currituck Sound, N. C, Nov. 9, re- 

 ports a big bunch of geese off Back Island, on the inshore 

 side of the sound. A few black ducks, teal and mallards 

 moving, and some new blinds out. Weather mild, and 

 wind light from the southward and eastward. 



Going to CAltforsia.— A persoa can take a seal in a palace 

 oar at Dearborn Scation any afternoon and go over the Atchison, 

 Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad to San Francisco, Los Angeles or 

 San Diego without changing cai'e. The fast express on this line 

 makes at least twenty-foui- hours quicker time to Lis Angeles 

 than any other line, and in fact the Santa Fe is the only thor- 

 oughly comfortable route to talie. The offiae is at No. 313 Claa-k 

 street, Chicago.— ^fiy. 



Angling Talks. By George Dawson. Price 50 cents. Fly- 

 Rods and Fly-Tackle. By H. P. Wells. Price $2.50, Fly- 

 Fishing ami Fly-Making for Trout. By J. H. Keene. 

 Price $1.50. American Angler'' s Booh. By Thad, Norris. 

 Price is. 60. 



The full texts of the game fish laws of all the States, 

 Territories and British Provinces are given in the BooTi of 

 the Game Laws. 



VERMONT FISH AND GAME LEAGUE. 



THE first annual meeting and banquet of the Vermont 

 Fish and Game League was held at Burlington, 

 Nov. 4, an excellent representation of the several sec- 

 tions of the State being in attendance. In the business 

 meeting, President Dow in the chair, the following new- 

 members were addf d: Frank A. Dwinell, W. H. DuBois, 

 Dr. Geo. L. Nichols, C. C. Bancroft, C. M. Wilds. Major 

 A. B. Valentine, A. D. Farwell, Albert W. Ferrin, P. C. 

 J. Cheney, E. P. Warner, O. E. Adams, Henry J. Hall, 

 A. F. Lincoln, Col. U. A. Woodbury, John A. Barrett, 

 Wm. S. Dewey, H. B. Ellis, Dr. D. A. Bisbee, A. T. New- 

 man, H. S. Peck, O. J. Cain. Honorary members: Mar- 

 shall McDonald. A. N. Cheney, Dr. Jas. A, Henshall, Col. 

 E. B. Hodge, C. H. Wilson, E. H. Lathrop, Rowland E. 

 Robinson, Samuel Wilmott, J. G. A. Creighton. 



The officers elected for the year were : Presideint — 

 Henry R. Dorr, of Rutland. Vice-presidents— M. S. Col- 

 barn, of Manchester Center ; Henry Ballard, of Bm-ling- 

 ton : Thad M. Chapman, of Middlebury ; W. W. Miles, 

 of Barton : Herbert Brainerd, of St. Albans ; Hiram 

 Atkins, of Montpeher ; F. S. McKenzie, of Woodstock ; 

 James Ritchie, of St. Johnsbury : Nathan Ilobson, of 

 Island Pond ; George W. Hooker, of Brattleboro. Secre- 

 ta,ry— John W. Titcomb, of Rutland. Treasurer— J ames 

 W. Brock, of Montpelier. Executive Committe (one for 

 each county)— Addison, W. R. Peake, of Bristol : Ben- 

 nington, ('. F\ Orvip, of Manchester; Oaledonia, James 

 Ritchie, of St. .lohnsbury; Chittenden, Willifim W. 

 Henry, of Burlington : Essex, Nathan Hob.'ion, of East 

 Brighton^ Franklin, E, C. Smith, of St. Albans: Grand 

 Isle, N. W. Fisk, of Isle La Motte ; Lamoille. C. S. Page, 

 of Hyde Park: Orange, R. J. Kimball, of West Ran- 

 dolph : Orleans, W. W. Miles, of Barton ; Rutland, C. A. 

 Gale, of Rutland ; AVashington, John E. Hubbard, of 

 Montpelier ; Windham, Walter H. Childs, of Brattleboro; 

 Windsor, F. S. McKenzie, of Woodstock. Auditors — 

 E. C. Orvis, George W. Wing, William Walker. Mem- 

 bership Committee— H. R. Dorr, M. S. Colburn, J. W. 

 Titcomb. 



The treasurer's report showed one life member, 108 

 members who had paid Ifo each and |185.87 on hand. 



A proposed amendment to the constitution changing 

 the anntial assessment from $5 to $3 was read and "was 

 opposed by Mr, Senter, of Montpelier. Mr. Atkins and 

 Dr. Gale discussed the pi-oposed amendment, both oppos- 

 ing any reduction, the president favoring the reduction. 

 Ex-Gov. Stewart thought it desirable to get a large mem- 

 bership. He oould see ho w many_ men of ordinary means, 

 who desired the protection of fish and game, could not 

 afford to pay |5. Charles H. Sheldon, of Rutland, desired 

 to popularize the league and advocated the reduction, 

 John P. Hoskinson argued that the league coold not be 

 popularized. He considered fishing a luxury only to be 

 enjoyed by men of wealth, arguing that a man had a 

 right to fish on his own land. Mr. Atkins said the object 

 of the association was the general public good. Gen. 

 Henry favored the adoption of the amendment. The 

 amendment was adopted. 



Another amendment, proposing the admission to the 

 league of branch clubs by the admission of one member 

 was adopted . 



In his opening address, after the excellent banquet had 

 been discussed, President Dorr said: 



"There were disturbances in neighboring States yester- 

 day, and even from the seclusion of these blessed valleys 

 of Vermont we could hear things drop. To-day there 

 are mournings in the tabernacles of the mighty, and, to 

 change the metaphor a trifle, the hit bird flutters in 

 other localities. But here to-night there are no parties 

 and no partisans. The roaring beast of prey and that 

 gentle domestic animal, so familiar in political mythology, 

 here lie down together. For fear of causing a discussion 

 as to which is which, I shall pm-sue this line of thought 

 no longer. 



"I want to say one serious word concerning the aim of 

 the Vermont Fish and Game League. It was not incor- 

 porated for social recreation, nor for boys' play. It has 

 for a serious and honorable purpose. We wish to protect 

 and propagate the fish and gaaie suited to our woods and 

 waters, and render the Green Mountains so attractive to 

 genuine sportsmen that they will come from less favor- 

 able places to join us: and I pray heaven that all sham 

 sportsmen, however lavish of their money, may stay 

 away. I think I voice the sentiment of this league in 

 saying that we would rather stock the streams and woods 

 of Vermont for the poacher who kills to eat out of season 

 than for the wanton who destroys simply for the sake of 

 killing, and thinks his skill is indicated by the great 

 numbers of his slaughtered victims. 



"Numberless schemes are devised for the development 

 of Vermont, but I hope this grand old Commonwealth 

 will never be developed and polished into the character- 

 less conventionalism of the typical summer resort, and 1 

 believe that the stocking of our forests and streams will 

 accomplish more for the State in a money way than all 

 the other elaborate plans submitted to "the intelligent 

 judgment of our people. Maine and northern New York 

 and New Hampshire gain millions of dollars every year 

 from visiting lovers of the rod and gun. Here in Ver- 

 mont we have everything but the fish and game. No 



fmrer lakes and streams for fish and water fowls, no love- 

 ier cover for birds, no grander ranges for deer exist any- 

 where; and they are lonely to-night because the denizens 

 of old days have gone from them these many years. The 

 pursuit of manly sport with rod and gun and their whole- 

 some outdoor life gave to the founders of the State the 

 uerve, the brain, the sturdy frame, the splendid qualities 

 of mind and heart which stamped each one of them a 

 nobleman. The mountains, crags and hills lifted their 

 thoughts to high and patriotic themes; the solitude of 



forest places led them to serious meditation ; and the song 

 and sunshine of meadow and open gave jocund gladness 

 and buoyancy of spirit— and all made sturdy, manly, 

 generous men. Let their descendants, with luxury at 

 hand or in sight, always remember this. 



" We are just beginning to reahze that the league 

 means business and is accomplishing something. In the 

 name of the league I want to thank the governor and 

 legislature of Vermont for the appropriation to build a 

 State hatchery and to render our grateful thanks to the 

 national government for appropriating money to build a 

 national hatchery within our borders. This is a splendid 

 beginning, and Col. McDonald, United States Fish Com- 

 missioner, has given this matter generous personal atten- 

 tion, for which we are profoundly grateful. However, 

 the stocking of lakes and streams will be worse than use- 

 less if laws are not furnished and enforced to take the 

 place of the awful hodge podge of uncertain and contra- 

 dictory statutes governing this subject. I hope the 

 action of the league this evening may end in the enact- 

 ment of good and wholesome laws', calculated to curb 

 unbridled audacity and protect the fish and game of the 

 State." 



Gov. Page, to whom had been assigned the toast, 

 "Vermont," was detained in Boston, and Col. W. A. 

 Woodbury responded, saying the present governor once 

 prevented him responding to Vermont. Now his absence 

 permitted it. Small in area, sparse in population, poor in 

 numbers, Vermont yet claims prominence everywhere. 

 She has a quality others do not possess— a storehouse for 

 game and fiah, beauties others may covet. It needs the 

 poetic imagination of a Dorr to write her praises. The 

 character of Vermont's citizens gives her prestige, in 

 which she is unexcelled. Though we have lost an 

 Edmunds, a noble son of Vermont will fill bis place to the 

 credit of both ; they are men above reproach. 



Secretary Proctor, responding to the toast, "The Na- 

 tional Government,"' said he was in New York and the 

 current news made him long for home, and he came. 

 He was not a hunter, but he took the fishing disorder 

 early with an alder stick. His tenth birthday was the 

 start, and a free use of the slipper followed his return 

 with one trout. A place in Pensacola Bay would here- 

 after be known as "Proctor's Snapper Bank." A pre- 

 requisite to meii'.bership in the league is .speaking the 

 requisite truth. Hence his recent sojourn to Mount 

 Vernon and the cheri-y tree. 



Gen. W. Y. W. Ripley, speaking on "With Gun and 

 Rifle," said he stole a gun for his first hunt, aided by a 

 chum, IGame in abundance prevailed, partridges and 

 squirrels were plenty. Trout were plenty when he was 

 young, foxes abundant, with occasional deer. Legal re- 

 straint to-day as to seasons is the only safety for the 

 forests and streams. Game grows less abundant every 

 year. Shorten the open season for all fish and game, he 

 said. A trout 6in. long in the fall is too young to propa- 

 gate the next season. Such trout may have spawn, but 

 it will not fertilize. The Gin. law should be changed to % 

 or 8 at the least. Nine inch trout are pretty fights, but 

 they leave small streams for better food supply. Shorter 

 open seasons, May 1 to Aug. 15, is sufficient— Oct, 1 tc 

 Dec. 1 is enough for game until supply equals demand. 

 Match hunting is an abomination which true sportsmen 

 abhor. 



Speaking to the toast, "Our Abandoned Farms," ex- 

 Gov. Stewart saw no sign of discouragement to Vermont 

 farmers. Few farms are abandoned. Many houses are 

 abandoned by small holdings passing to other hands. 

 Vermont's soil is fertile, equal to any^ few Verru enters 

 would change for western land, where schools and 

 civilization are unknown. 



Gen. Wm. W. Henry, responding to the toast, "The 

 Birth of the League," said the father and mother of the 

 league was the Fish and Gun Club of Rutland. He read 

 the objects of the league, urging all to join it. 



President Ezra Brainerd illustrated his remarks on 

 "Uses of Recreation" with stories of his summer outing, 

 and although confessing to his inability to kill game, 

 proved his ability to kill time-. 



_ In speaking on "Where We Ai-e," Hon. Walter E. 

 Howard admired the epigrammatic sentiment of the toast 

 and paid a glowing tribute to Burlington, her beauties 

 and industries, her scholars and soldiers. 



In his response to the toast "Fish and Fishermen," 

 Charles M. Wilds related his experience in going from 

 Middlebury to Isle La Motte, keeping his auditors in good 

 humor. 



President Buckham spoke of "The Future," fittingly 

 closing the first annual dinner of a new but successful 

 organization. 



DituiD Hill Paek Ducks aud Bass.— Loitering pe- 

 destrians, as well as persons behind fast horses spinning 

 aroimd the big lake in Druid Hill Park in the afternoon, 

 stopped to admire the graceful movements of the wild 

 ducks which had congregated on the bosom of the lake, 

 near its centre. The ducks seemed to know they were 

 in safety inside the limits of the park and fed and played 

 in disregard of their human observers. Going down near 

 the centre of the lake, they would occasionally come up 

 near the iron railing w hich incloses the beautiful sheet of 

 water. A little group of sporting men enjoyed the 

 evolutions of the birds exceedingly, and one of the more 

 experienced of the party told about the game in the lake 

 swimming abaut under the ducks. He said no body of 

 water of like size in the world contained more or larger 

 black bass than Druid Lake. On a sunny day large bass, 

 singly or in groups, float lazily in shoal water, sunning 

 themselves. They do not take fright readily, feeling, like 

 the ducks, secure inside the sacred precincts of Druid 

 Hill Park, nor are they disposed to take notice of bait 

 thrown in at such a time. Tempting bait thrown on the 

 surf ace of the lake at other times almost always causes 

 a rise of bass, and the sportsmen who try this diversion 

 are rewarded by seeing some of the handsomest specimens 

 of bass imaginable make the water fly as they disaj^pear 

 with the bait. The largest bass that ever came out of 

 Druid Lake measured over 3^in. in length and was 

 broad and thick in proportion. It was such a fish as 

 would cause the xaulse of any appreciative angler to 

 quicken. A party of workmen were inside the rail repair- 

 ing the riprapping, when this monster bass jumjjed out of 

 the water and on the atones. One of the workmen struck 

 it with a hoe which he had in his hand and captured the 

 prize. It was sent in to one of the park commissioners, 

 — Baltimore Sun. 



