164 



FOREST AND, STREAM. 



|Aua. 26, 1893. 



SHOOTING DUCKS ON THE WATER. 



OSKA.LOOSA, la., Aug. 11. — Editor Forest and Stream: 

 You ask, "Is it lawful to shoot a duck on the water?" I 

 vote no, though I have done it when I knew less than I do 

 now. 



Duck shooting is the grandest of sport and should be 

 grandly followed. 



It may be pure selfishness, but somehow I have got to 

 the point where I feel very little temptation to shoot on 

 the water. I go for fun more than for ducks, and cer- 

 tainly one duck "all broke up" at a dizzy height is worth 

 a. dozen wilted down on the water as if they were vermin. 

 No other game bird that flies is so much master of the air 

 as the wild duck, and ideal sportsmanship surely should 

 discountenance taking any unfair advantage of it. 



A bird which, besides ha^dng the most gorgeous plumage 

 and sujierb edible qualities, is also so much an aristocrat 

 that he must have a summer and a winter residence 

 thousands of miles apart, deserves to be given the one 

 chance for life that his strong, brave wings afford. 



I wish that in hunting, as in fishing, we could give the 

 beauties back to freedom again uninjured after having 

 tasted the joy of possession. In fishing you can have your 

 cake and eat it, too, by i-eturning to water those fish not 

 needed. Not so in duck hunting, where we shoot to kill. 



Wildfowl shooters generally agree that a duck on the 

 wing presents a larger and better mark than one on the 

 water. I practiced what I am preaching when last fall I 

 "shooed" my first wild goose out of an ice hole and killed 

 him on the M^ng. Many a duck have I likewise "shooed." 



Tliis shooting, or shooting at, ducks on the water is 

 often prompted by the same "break-the-record" spirit 

 that catches a string of bass or shoots a bunch of ducks 

 in one day so large that three men can haxdly lift it. 

 The shooter is afraid to go home empty-handed and face 

 the gibes of friends, and so argues that a duck is a duck, 

 on the water or in the air. Oh, how sadly do many of 

 our sportsmen need to read to themselves each day a 

 lesson on the doctrine of moderation. These men who 

 break the records must have a lot of friends and they 

 must be very active in distributing among them their 

 fishes and ducks before they spoil. Many who write, 

 otherwise most entertainingly, of sporting events, mar it 

 all by recounting the excessive amount of game destroyed. 



Young sportsmen read these accounts and are led to 

 believe that the great end to be sought in fishing and 

 hunting is the destruction of countless lives. 



Mr. Hough, "Kingfisher" and others, who so delight- 

 fully entertain us, are shining representatives of those 

 who know the noble qualities of moderation. It seems 

 to me that Forest and Stream might properly put a 

 limit upon the size of the game bag or creel that it will 

 give publicity to. This summer I fished in Minnesota 

 with moderate success, where a few years ago it was a 

 very usual thing for two or three men to go out in a boat, 

 fish all day. and at night throw nearly a boatload of fine 

 fish upon the shore to rot. If this thing keeps up what 

 will tlie future be? J. E. Seevers. 



Matlock, la., Aug. n.— Editor Forest and Stream: In 

 reply to your query as to rule of shooting ducks on the 

 water, it is the genaral practice to shoot a duck where- 

 ever, whenever and however one has the chance. I do 

 not believe more than five out of every hundi'ed sports- 

 men would flush a duck before shooting (provided they 

 could get a pot-shot at it sitting). My rule has always 

 been to shoot no bird sitting that I can get a fair shot at 

 flying. Why should a duck be shot at sitting (provided 

 the surroundings are such as to offer a shot flying) any 

 more tlian a grouse or partridge or other bird? If there 

 are no good reasons for this, let us abandon it and flush 

 our duck as we do our quail and grouse. Longfellow. 



MOOSE CALLING IN NOVA SCOTIA. 



I HAD planned to take my usual yearly holiday by 

 means of a hunting trip down the Liverpool Lakes, to last 

 about a fortnight, and under the guidance of my old com- 

 panion, Jim Charles, a Micmac in habits, but of French 

 extraction on his father's side. He was a skilled woods- 

 man and hunter, and capital fellow in every way. His 

 wife Lisbethwas a full-blooded Indian and kept his little 

 house as clean as hands could make it. Between them 

 they cultivated quite a little farm, keeping several head 

 of cattle and a horse. She for many years spent each 

 summer in Newport, E, I., where she was well known as 

 an Indian doctor. She has often told me how kind the 

 Mayor was to her, taking charge of her money and in 

 many ways showing her much courtesy. She once got 

 into trouble by adopting a white child, a destitute orphan, 

 and he seemed to have taken much pains to get it returned 

 to her when some over-oflicious friends took it from her. 

 I have seen the little girl at her house frequently. She 

 several times brought home several hundred dollars as 

 her professional earnings. I did not think it wrong to give 

 her many hints, showing her our native herbs and ex- 

 plaining their medicinal virtues. 



At this particular time Jim had also two tame moose 

 which he and his wife had caught when only a few hours 

 old and reared on cow's milk. Tlie female fell and broke 

 her neck playing with a bttle dog. The male was sold to 

 the King of Sardinia, and may, for aught I know, be now 

 in the zoological garden of that monarch, at any rate he 

 arrived there safe and sound. On asking Jim what so 

 young a moose was like he aiiswered, "Well, 'bout as big 

 as a wabbit, but my, what legs! go so," waving his hands 

 about m illustration of their uncertain movements. He 

 and his wife had been paddling home in the dusk of the 

 evening wlien they spied a moose swimming to one of the 

 islands. J udging it was seeking a safe retreat for calving 

 they visited it early next morning. The cow rushed away 

 on their approach without the least attempt to defend her 

 young, which lay coiled up among the tall grass, unable 

 to stand. Lisbeth had brought with her some milk which 

 she warmed and fed to them, and, toward evening, wrap- 

 ping the little things in a blanket they brought them 

 home. They were not confined, but ran among the cattle 

 and were not at aU afraid of strangers. 

 ( ,Our party consisted of five, myself and two friends 

 and another guide, Dave Lewis, a lumberman and hunter 

 from his boyhood, a capital fellow, powerful, hardy and 

 fuU of fun. He and Jim were to be our pilots, having 

 charge of the stern paddle, either of us feeling capa- 

 ble to manage the bow. We had two fine birch bark 

 hunting canoes, each one intended for two persons and 

 their dunnage, and with thi.s load quite safe to go any- 



where, but three make them rather too deep when the 

 lakes are rough. 



The lakes about which we planned to spend our fort- 

 night are on the Liverpool River, which is a succeasion ol 

 stream, lake, rapids and stiU waters extending nearly 

 across Nova Scotia from north to south, the lakes pre- 

 dominating. 



It was resolved that we should make at once for head- 

 quarters and from there organize expeditions as circum- 

 stances should require, calling for moose whenever a f avox'- 

 able chance should offer. 



The call can be heard on a still night, and no other 

 suitable, two or three miles, if j'-ou are on elevated 

 ground, or if near a lake, much further, and a moose will 

 come that distance, if he is .of mature age, answering 

 every few rods as he advances. A young one rarely an- 

 swers often or loudly from fear of an older and strong^ 

 rival. 



Should two well matched in size meet there always fol- 

 lows a fierce encounter. When the caller imitates the 

 bull it is to arouse the combativeness of the coming 

 moose, and I have seen two heads with the horns so firmly 

 interlocked that the poor creatures could not disengage 

 them, and so perished miserably from hunger. I one 

 night heard a battle of this kind from the opposite side of 

 a small lake. It lasted more than an hour. We A^ited 

 the spot in the morning, where the trampled undergrowth 

 over a half-acre of ground, the broken branches of trees 

 and the upturned moss and stones stained with blood tes- 

 tified to the enormous strength of the combatants and the 

 obstinate nature of the battle. But even when they are 

 in their lustiest pride and strength they rarely attack 

 man. 



We camped that night in the barn among the sweety 

 newly cut hay. The only incident of the night was due to 

 the untimely ci'owing of a cock from one of the beams. 

 Presently there was a rustle in the hay; I heard some one 

 groping about and using words more emphatic than ele- 

 gant; then a rush of wings, a dull thud on the barn floor, 

 followed by a dismal "squaak," then with a self-satisfied 

 grunt some one seemed to return to his lair, and we had 

 no more of Chanticleer's joyous notes. In the cheery 

 mprn no one would own up to tlie undignified display of 

 temper, and it remains an unexplained mystery to this 

 day. 



It was a lovely morning. Breakfast over, we reached 

 the canoes and started, Dave and my two companions 

 with then- guns, rods and a few packs in one, Jim and I 

 with the greater proportion of dunnage in the other. It 

 was a sight to see the ease with which the two hunters 

 threw the canoes over their heads and deftly picked their 

 way over the rough track; road there was none. A canoe 

 is carried by running the paddles under and over the 

 three middle thwarts; these rest on the shoulders of the 

 carrier, his head being entirely inside. The canoe slopes 

 backward so that he can use his eyes. 



Numerous flocks of ducks were to be seen in distant 

 bays, some quietly feeding, others splashing the water into 

 showers of diamonds as they pursued each other, half 

 flying, half swimming in circling sport; or if frightened 

 by our approach, just flitting in long lines to some more 

 sequestered spot. Promising oui-selves some goood sport 

 in the evening from these unsophisticated birds, we 

 pushed on to the further end, where the final carry of a 

 few rods would bring us to our camping ground on 

 another lake— the "Home of the Loon" — a favorite breed- 

 ing place for these large birds. It is nearly circular, about 

 a mile across, with excellent calling ground all about. 



The spot we selected for our camp was a smooth slope on 

 the north side, facing to the southward, within a rod of 

 the shore and with a little brook emptying into the lake 

 close at hand. Tall hemlocks sheltered it on the three 

 other sides, bu.t were placed back from the lake some three 

 or four hundred yards. This inclosed space was thickly 

 covered with a j^oung growth of hardwood ten or twelve 

 feet high, with quantities of blackberry and huckleberry 

 bushes laden with fruit, now in perfection. A more 

 lovely and suitable spot for our pm-pose could not be im- 

 agined. It had been from time immemorial a favorite 

 camping ground of the Micmacs. To ai-range our home 

 was our first care, for if the wind fell we were to call 

 this evening. Om- tent, a lean-to with wide flaps, was 

 pitched back to the lake to secure us from the cold draught 

 that always comes off a lake at night; a few stones piled 

 in front made our fireplace. It was up hill, so that at 

 night the warmth of our fire would radiate directly upon 

 us and reflected from the sloping tent make blankets a 

 superfluity. 



A more elaborate structure of stones, crotches and 

 hooks, erected a few paces to om- right to avoid the nuis- 

 ance of smoke in camp, comprised our kitchen, and when 

 a plentiful supply of wood had been chopped and piled 

 up at a convenient distance, we looked around with much 

 complacency on the spot that was to be our abiding place 

 for the few weeks that would all too soon glide away. 

 About an hour before sunset, the wind still being too high 

 for calling, we determined to divide our forces, Dave with 

 his canoe and party going in quest of trout and ducks on 

 the lower lake; Jim and I taking the other canoe on the 

 upper lake to see what we might discover, to prospect in 

 fact. This arrangement we adhered to for nearly the 

 whole trip, which will explain Avhatever in this sketch 

 may seem egotistical, for I narrate mostly what of the fun 

 fell to my lot. We first skirted the shore looking for 

 beaver sign. They eat only the bark and smaller twigs, 

 and have a habit of putting the barked wood on the top 

 of the house. One can generally tell at a glance that a 

 beaver house thus added to has inhabitants, the white 

 wood being conspicuous from a distance, so what one 

 looks for on the banks is fresh cut stumps or chips. I 

 have seen these chips fully an inch wide, and stumps of 

 poplar trees 15in. in diameter felled by beaver. We soon 

 found sign in plenty. As we silently stole along in the 

 shade of the bank I heard Jim tap the side of the canoe, 

 a signal that game was in sight; and on tiu-ning my eyes 

 from the shore that I had been closely scanning, I saw 

 out in the lake about two gunshots oflf, a beaver towing 

 his stick. We watched in silence till suddenly he dived, 

 "House close by," said Jim, "find him to-morrow," and 

 again we quietly shpped along. 



How lovely it aU was. The tops of the taU hemlocks 

 bowed gently and sighed to the passing gusts; but our 

 little lake was so sheltered that it was smooth as glass. 

 Two or three loons were to be seen near the outlet; and 

 occasionally the hoarse clatter of a kiugfisber was heard, 

 as after a plunge he returned to his branch with his cap- 

 tive trout or perch, But the silence was generally 59, ua- 



broken that the musical tiakling of the drops of water 

 falling back from the steersman's paddle was all we heard. 



I had laid aside my paddle, and was enjoying the out- 

 look with the deepest and purest pleasure, when again 

 Jim's tapping reached my ear. This time I caught sight 

 of two little black objects 100yds. or so outside of us. They 

 dived. Jim put the back of his hand to his mouth and 

 made a sort of kissing, smacking sound. I had my gun 

 ready, in a minute they reappeared about 5()yds. off. I 

 sent a bullet from my left barrc.'l at the one nearest me. 

 It splashed right on the little spot and then went skipping 

 along the surface of the water far away. It seemed to 

 require but one sweep of the paddle to put us alongside of 

 the thing kicking out there, and then I pulled in my first 

 otter. My ball had carried away the end of liis nose, so 

 his beautifid skin was uninjured. It was not quite ih 

 season. When skinned an otter is seeti to be a most mus- 

 cular creature about the neck, shoulders aUd chestj made 

 still more conspicuous by the meagte develophient of liis 

 hiuder parts. A full grown otter can catch and llold a 

 salmon. The otter's odor is very much like that of a very 

 doggy dog. We completed our circuit, finding ample 

 promise of sport; got a sheldrake at long range by hap- 

 pening to have in an Eley's wire cartridge; and joined the 

 other section of our party. They had had fine sport among 

 the trout, two dozen, aver.aging a pound each, being the 

 result. They also had bagged three black or dusky ducks. 

 Pork was soon frizzling in the frying-pan, and presently 

 a dozen trout minus their skins were lying on a sheet of 

 birch-bark cooked to a turn. 



If any one wishes to taste trout in perfection, he shotdd 

 eat them as we did that evening. They lose much of 

 their fine flavor if out of the water even for a short time. 

 The stronger the stream in which you catch them the 

 finer they are. Trout caught in streams that empty into 

 the Atlantic are more gamy and of flavor superior to 

 those in the rivers emptying into the Bay of Fundy ; they 

 are also thicker, deeper fish, and more brightly colored. 

 In the waters where we now were they rarely exceed 

 lilbs. in weight; but in the larger lakes Kedge-ah-ma- 

 kougie and Rosignol, I have taken them weighing 41bs. 

 I have frequently had three, each over a pound, on my 

 line at once. During this trip my companions in one 

 afternoon actually loaded the canoe, the Indian refusing 

 to let them catch'any more, as they had to cross the lake, 

 I was not one of the party, but I saw the catch. I do not 

 think there were a dozen in the lot of le&s than half a 

 poimd weight, and none over 2lbs. , certainly a handsomer 

 basket of fish could hardly be caught anywhere, The 

 largest we lightly salted and smoked; they were then 

 very delicate eating. 



The next morning early we all tried our rods with good 

 success. We were relying altogether on our guns and 

 rods for food, having in our knapsacks only flour and bis- 

 cuit, with a few pounds of pork. Some of us walked back 

 to camp by the edge of the lake and shot several part- 

 ridges; in the groves of hackmatack we looked for spruce 

 partridges. The male spruce partridge is one of the hand- 

 somest birds we have in our woods. They are so tame 

 and stupid that an Indian can generally get all he wants 

 with stones or by noosing them. Jim cut a long-, slender, 

 straight spruce and trimmed it close; then pulling up the 

 small roots of the same he peeled them and made a slip- 

 noose which he fastened to the end of his pole. Then 

 stealing up to the tree where the birds were sitting, he 

 from behind put the noose carefully above the head of 

 the bird, slowly lowered it and then with a sudden twitch 

 brought his game down. If you touch a twig the birdL 

 wiU fly, and you must catch your lowest bird first. 



My space will not allow me to go into the details of each 

 day's sport — om- duck shooting; loon hunts, when we rah 

 thera down with a canoe; om- visits to the beaver houses 

 and dam. I shot one beaver only, for their skins were 

 not yet in season. Nor were the young ones nearly fuU 

 grown. But I watched their curious ways closely, sev- 

 eral times having them within three or four feet of me. 

 Our object in coming to the woods was certainly not to 

 slaughter uselessly such inott'ensive creatures. As they 

 gazed at me, so near that I could touch them with the 

 muzzle of my gun, then- beautiful soft, lustrous black eyes 

 were so human in their expression that I had no desire or 

 wish to harm them. 



I asked J im so many questions, to him silly, as to theix 

 habits that at last he turned to me with a laugh and said, 

 "Ha! you read book that not so," and I found that many 

 of the "truths" told us by naturalists were, as Jim said, 

 'not so." 



I must hurry on to our call. It was several days 

 before we got an evening still enough for the pur- 

 30se, but at last it came. Dividing as usual, Dave and 

 lis party, crossed the lake to ground on that side about a 

 mile back, while Jipi and I packed a small store of 

 provisions in our blankets and started on foot for Cedar 

 lake, situated a mile to the northwest of our camp. This 

 would put three or four miles between the parties, so 

 that one caller could not hear the other. When we 

 arrived at the desired spot the sun was still an hour from 

 setting; we stood on a smaU knoll of granite rock. 

 Looking to the west, before us was an extensive barren 

 of rocks and bushes, in the far distance a meadow and 

 Stillwater, on our right was the lake with a broad edging 

 of meadow and bog. On the left, but not in sight, a dry 

 bog sprinkled with hackmatack extended for several 

 miles. Behind was the barren we had crossed, swept by 

 fire, the naked pine ram pikes standing all about or piled 

 in confused heaps as they had fallen before the wind, a 

 desolate scene, excepting that on the far side of the lake 

 a ridge of green hard wood ran east and west as far as 

 the eye could see. But the small bushes were pasture for 

 the moose, the greenwood a shelter from the suuj and 

 the lake afforded them a change of diet iu the way of 

 lily pads and a capacious bath. 



Jim called as soon as the sun was out of sight, when the 

 full harvest moon was rising in the east as the sun de- 

 clined. In half an hoiu- he called again. "Too much call 

 bad." 



Night had now fairly set in. We were posted so that 

 one could overlook the upper marshy end of the lake, the 

 other the big meadow, both listening with all our powers 

 for an answer. Listen anywhere on a perfectly still night- 

 and the listener will hear many curious sounds; but a 

 novice who is so situated in the woods, if he have any 

 imagination, will certainly find food for wonder. Some 

 sounds may be famihar, as the dismal wlio-hu-hu of an 

 owl, the melancholy cry of a loon, the drumming of a 

 partridge, the rustle of a mouse in the leaves at your el- 

 jqwj which to your excited senses is gome large creature 



