6 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[July 7, 1894. 
STOP THE SALE OF GAME. 
A Platform Plank,— The sale of game should be forbidden at all 
iirnes. — Forest and Stream, Feb. 10. 
Valley, Wash.— Having won a splendid fight for fair 
play and true sportsmanship in the case of the Yellow- 
stone National Park (one which adds a big feather to its 
plume), and without waiting for victory to preen her ruf- 
fled plumage as she perches on the moosehead of the big 
birch sign, Forest and Stream again enters the list with 
a new war cry— "Stop the sale of game entirely!" 
Before we "jump at a collusion" (as my little boy once 
said) let us look at this thing twice. Has the editor 
thought this thing over carefully? Does he really wish 
to drive all the old hunters into Coxey's Army? Is he 
actually in league with Phil Armour to flood the country 
with chopped beef to the entire exclusion of dried veni- 
son? Shall there be no more cakes and ale? 
I had inclined to confidence in his sense of justice, and 
before a final quarrel wish to know if, when one of us old 
fellows, having piloted some pompous tenderfoot 
"Colonel" into the hills after game, and listened for days 
to his awkward thrashing through the brush in quest of 
same, which he never approaches nearer than a quarter 
of a mile, is finally beckoned out behind a treetop and 
quite accidentally informed that the "Colonel" has a crisp 
$10 bill that he doeR not particularly need, and that if he 
had "a fine buck to take home, etc.," does the exacting 
editor really expect the hunter to rise in virtuous indig- 
nation to his full height and paralyze the culprit with the 
declaration that he is a reader of Forest and Stream 
and consequently does not sell game? 
Does he for a moment fancy the hunter williDg to 
supply the "Colonel" with venison for no compensation 
whatever, save the fun of accompanying him back to 
town and seeing him exhibit his trophy to envious friends 
as "the buck I shot up in the mountains, sah?" 
If, while I am standing peacably near the camp-fire 
with my hands behind my back, the "Colonel" saunters 
up to warm his fingers, and I happen to feel something 
round, smooth and heavy (about the size of a $10 gold 
piece) slip gently into my half shut palm; if, after a casual 
remark about the weather, I can't quietly slip my hands 
into my pockets and stroll back to the tent to lace my 
moccasin, without a fight with this argus-eyed editor of 
Forest and Stream, I want to know it. See here, may 
we not compromise by simply stopping the other fellow 
from selling? Even Mr. Howell, the late game warden 
of the National Park buffalo, would agree to this. 
Orin Belknap. 
[This recalls the point made against a proposed Penn- 
sylvania law forbidding the sale of trout, that it would 
interfere with the long-established trout traffic between 
the small country boy with a letter in the post-office anc 
the fancy fisherman from town.] 
Denver, Colorado.— I have read with decided approval 
"A Platform Plank," and have been much gratified on 
reading from time to time the hearty indorsements given 
to it |in Forest and Stream. No doubt "the campaign 
must be a long one," so much the stronger reason for be 
ginning. It should have been taken up long ago. Who 
can successfully refute the position that "a grouse which 
gives a man a holiday afield is worth more to the com- 
munity than a grouse snared or shot for the market 
stalls." The sentence above contains a whole volume, and 
should set every man thinking who reads it. The gooc 
sense, the integrity, the logic of the "platform plank," 
appeal to me irresistibly, as they should to every man who 
realizes that there is some one else on this beautiful earth 
of ours besides himself, and that there is a fair chance of 
its being inhabited some centuries after we are all dead 
and forgotten; and that those who come after us (if there 
is anything in heredity it should be so) may have a passion 
for the rod and gun as well as ourselves. It was never 
intended in the Divine economy that we should slaughter 
any live thing beyond our needs. 
We are making an effort in Colorado to shut off the 
market-hunter and fisherman, as you are aware, and with 
some show of success. Our territory is large, however, 
to look after, but the benefit is beginning to show itself 
already in the fish supply, to my own knowledge, and I 
presume the game is not suffering as it did. 
L. B. France 
TEXAS AND THE SOUTHWEST. 
New Hunting Fields. 
San Antonio, Tex.— About eighteen miles of the new 
G-ulf Shore Railroad, from San Antonio to Velasco on the 
Gulf, is now ready for the ties, and it is estimated that 
trains will run in sixty days. This will open up a country 
famous for game of all kinds. The road will cross a dozen 
streams famous for black bass which have never been 
fished, and will place another famous game resort (Ve- 
lasco) within easy reach of the winter tourists of San 
Antonio. 
There is another road which is assured for southwest 
Texas. The Southern International is the name, and it 
will run from San Antonio to the City of Mexico via 
Brownsville. Mr. J. D. Whelply, a friend of the writer, 
who daily drives a facile and rattling good Faber on the 
Express, has just returned from the most southwesterly 
corner of the State. He says that it is the sportsman's 
paradise— that he saw huge quantities of turkey and deer. 
The country is well watered by streams and lagoons, and 
along the coast are numerous marshes, where he saw 
more jacksnipe than he ever saw in his life. This will be 
another fine region opened up for the tourist sportsman. 
It will also cross numerous streams famed for bass and 
other fish. 
Wild Camels. 
In a recent issue of the San Francisco Chronicle thero 
appeared an article claiming that a party had discovered 
a band of about 60 camels that roamed in a wild state. 
Upon mentioning the curious fact to a number of friends 
I was astonished to hear what made it certain in my mind 
that this band is undoubtedly the outgrowth of a lot of 
camels that were introduced in this section by the United 
States Government. 
In 1860 the United States Government conceived the 
idea of using African camels for the transportation of 
supplies and ammunition to and from the forts on the 
border and across what was then called the Great Amer- 
ican Desert, and accordingly a band of about 30 was sent 
to San Antonio. When Texas seceded all stores and the 
camels were confiscated by the Confederate Governmen 1 
at San Antonio. The superintendent of that band was 
Mr. W. D. Marshall, now of San Antonio, who is employed 
in the I. & G. N. freight office, and whose statement can 
be thoroughly relied on. After the war these camels 
again fell into the possession of the United States troops, 
and were herded at Camp Verde, 60 miles northwest of 
San Antonio. They were not serviceable for the purpose 
originally intended owing to the rocky nature of the 
country, which was too severe on the feet of the animals. 
Mr. Ed. Steves, Sr. , one of San Antonio's most respected 
citizens and pioneers, who died three years ago, often 
spoke of these animals. The last he remembers of the 
camels is that after the failure to put them to practical 
use in the San Antonio country they were sent to Arizona, 
and not proving serviceable there, were set at liberty. 
The band referred to as being lately seen in Arizona is 
undoubtedly the same family that is spoken of above. 
Quite a number of San Antonians remember the animals 
and there is no question as to the truth of the above. 
O. C. G. 
RED CLOUD TAKEN IN. 
Casper, Wyo., June 21.— Editor Forest and Stream: 1 
noticed in your last issue that the Sioux had started out 
on another game raid, and thinking perhaps your readers 
would like to hear how they are coming on I send this 
report. 
Red Cloud and forty-three bucks with their families 
(about 150 in all) arrived here with twenty-seven wagons 
about the 11th, and propose to meet the Arapahoes a few 
miles from here and have a grand "swap," horse race, 
dance, hunt, etc., combined. 
They had been up here two years ago and had killed 
between 2,500 and 3,000 antelope within fifteen miles of 
town; and they now proposed to exterminate all in the 
vicinity of Pine Mountain, about thirty miles from here. 
I have been for two years trying to have this sort of 
thing stopped, but without avail. So on the 13th I wrote 
Capt. Ohas. Penny, the agent at Pine Ridge, to see what 
ho would do, telling him that if there was no other way 
I would have to have his Indians arrested and fined. I 
was agreeably surprised at the letter I got in reply; it was 
so unlike the usual way such complaints have been 
noticed : 
United States Indian Skrvich, Offiojj of Indian Agent, Pine Ridge 
Agency, S D., June U.-Mr. E. A^Lockwood, Casper, Wyo.: Sir- 
Acknowledging the receipt, of vours of the 12th inst , I desire to say 
that any Indians from this reservation, who are absent hunting in 
your vicinity are doing so contrary to orders and warnings given 
them repeatedly. It is impossible to prevent Indians from sneaking 
off the reservation, and I have no doubt what you sav is literally true 
I am, however, powerless to prevent it, and I siDcerelv hope that you 
and the people of your vicinity will put in operation laws oh the sub- 
ject of the protection of game. Nothing will as effectually stop this 
as the vigorous prosecution, conviction and punishment of these In- 
dians, and I sincerely hope that they may all be arrested and every 
guilty one convicted and punished to the full extent of the law. An 
example of this kind will effectually prevent any such infractions in 
the future. It is their immunity from punishment that encourages 
them to do this sort of thing, and not any lack of knowledge of the 
law or regulations. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obediant ser- 
vam V Cbas G. Penney, 
Captain 6th Infantry, Acting TJ. S. Indian Agent 
We had Red Cloud, Jack Red Cloud and Dreaming Bear 
arrested where they were engaged in killing antelope, 
bucks, does, fawns and does heavy with young. They 
admitted their guilt and were let off with a fine of $20 
each, and this was suspended upon Red Cloud's promise to 
allow no more Sioux to hunt in Wyoming. 
I am afraid this "bluff ' at enforcing the law will have 
no lasting effect. They should all have been fined and the 
fine collected. Then they would remember the lesson for 
years. The Arapahoes also would have have let our game 
alone. However, the Court told Red Cloud that if his 
promise was not kept, and if anymore Sioux were brought 
m, he would fine them the limit, wich is $100 and ninety 
days. J 
We still have enough antelope left to furnish sport for 
any one who is not a "game hog." I suppose some of 
your readers will consider me one when I say I went out 
one day last fall and killed five in about three hours; but 
I was killing for others, and the meat was all used. 
I dare say a tenderfoot would use up a beltful of car- 
tridges m one day's shooting at antelope, scarce as game 
is compared to what it was four years ago. 
In a couple of months my wife and I expect to Btart on 
a three or four weeks' trip for game and scenery. We 
expect to visit the Owl Creek Hot Springs before we re- 
turn. Hope to get all the deer and antelope we want, and 
expect to shoot elk and mountain sheep. There are "silver- 
tips" enough to make it interesting. 
By the way, I have a team and complete camp outfit 
and wish to take a gentleman and wife along for com 
pany. Their share of expense will be very light after get- 
ting here. But we want no dudes, as we have to rough 
it every day after leaving Casper. Of course, the law 
reads no non-resident shall hunt here, but it is not en- 
forced except against "game hogs" and Indians who wish 
to exterminate our game. We are glad to see Eastern 
hunters. 
A tame buffalo bull passed through here yesterday for 
.he Big Horn Basin. There were several half and quarter 
bloods with the bunch. E. A. Look wood. 
The Gun That Sings of the Sea. 
Boston, June 15,— Editor Forest and Stream: We find 
ourselves going to the wall where the old gun hangs, tak- 
ing it from the peg and looking critically through the 
gleaming barrels, examining every part carefully and 
tenderly, and finally giving it an extra rub of an oiled 
•ag, put it m the case and let it hang in peace for another 
lttle while. Our thoughts are ever going back to the de- 
lghtful times we had last season with the plover and cur- 
lew, the mocking loon and the dull-witted coot. What a 
delicious sense of wisdom encompasses one who toils in 
;he city from "early morn till dewy eve," when he finds 
nmself surrounded by old ocean and free from conven- 
tionalities? And what soothing ' music the breakers fling 
i;o us as they come from their salty beds roaring and 
tumbling far up on the glistening sands, threatening to 
engulf us, but receding quietly again as though ashamed 
of such uproarious conduct. And how we do eat and 
sleep without dreaming. Sleep such as we never knew 
since childhood. We can tramp the marshes and beaches 
all day and never feel tired. What is the secret of this 
new vitality? My brothers who love the rod and gun 
know it well. 
My friend Braun, of Revere, and I took a trip to the 
Cape recently, ior the purpose of erecting a shooting box 
for next season's sport. We have 1 some very good 
grounds and should be pleased to hear from some brothers 
who would like to join us in season. We can accom- 
modate three beside ourselves. We do not want any 
exquisites. We want men who will do their portion of 
wood hauling and water carrying. We had a chap last 
year who spoiled our pleasure by his unwillingness even 
to pour his own tea. 
The mighty hosts from the North will soon be with us, 
and we await their coming with schoolboy impatience. 
We do not ruthlessly slaugther the birds. Simply enough 
for our table and a few for our cabinets. We are not 
market-hunters nor pot-hunters, and are firm believers in 
your plank. Jay Pee, 
Game Protection and Trap-Shooting. 
Tremont, Fa—Editor Forest and Stream: In your 
issue of June 23, you fully expressed my sentiments in 
the editorial referring to the article, "Will Illinois 
Follow?" It is an article that contains food for reflection, 
and the shoe fits our own State Sportsmen's Association 
to perfection. The reason I say our own State Sports- 
men's Association is, because we are exactly in the same 
rut as the Illinois State Sportsmen's Association, viz., 
that of holding our annual State meeting with a two-fold 
purpose, combining game protection and trap-shooting at 
one and the same time. While there is actually no crime 
or offense committed in holding this meeting jointly, 
there is 5 however, great danger of one or the other being 
neglected, and from my own personal observation, I fear 
that one would fall to the lot of game protection. 
Your correspondent had the honor to represent the 
Tremont Game and Fish Protective Association at each of 
the State conventions held in 1892 and 1893, and, at both 
meetings composed of representatives from many coun- 
ties of the State, there seemed to be no end of enthusiasm 
in the direction of trap-shooting, while the interests of 
game protection seemed far away in the background, 
This is especially true of the meeting held at Reading, 
in 1892; in fact, it seemed altogether a trap-shooting con- 
vention, and I was sorely disappointed when that meet- 
ing was adjourned and having done little or nothing in 
the direction of game protection. Our annual meeting at 
Harrisburg, in 1893, seemed to improve somewhat over 
the one. of 1892. The interests of game protection and 
propagation were discussed at some little length by less 
than a dozen of the large representation present. The fact 
that the interests are not identical and that game pro- 
tection is not trap-shooting and vice versa, would suggest 
the wisdom of holding separate State meetings in the in- 
terest of each. 
Now, brother Bportsmen, I do not wish to convey the 
impression that I am opposed to trap-shooting, on the 
other band, I enjoy it very much myself, for there is a 
fascination and pleasure connected with it, once we be- 
come interested. But one thing I strongly favor> and 
that is, to follow the example of the New York State 
Sportsmen's Association and have game protection 
divorced from trap-shooting by holding one State meeting 
in the interests of game protection and propagation and 
another in the interest of trap-shooting. 
The establishing of such a policy would give Us a 
separate and distinct meeting to discuss exclusively the 
interests of game protection, and at the same time the in- 
terests of trap-shooters Would be similarly looked after at 
another meeting. The fact of holding one meeting 
annually, and that meeting too in the hottest season of 
the year (August), beginning at 8 P. M., to continue 
for an hour or two or as long as it can be made entertain- 
ing or interesting, in some closely confined room with the 
thermomter up in the nineties, is enough to discourage 
any representative (who may be there m the interest of 
game protection), and who has perchance traveled several 
hundred miles. 
The question of game protection is a broad one, and 
cannot be hurried over in an hour or two. Our State 
meeting should, I believe, be separate and distinct from 
trap-shooting conventions, and held at a seasonable time 
of thejyear, devoted to one or two days' session, as occasion 
may require. 
D. P. F. 
Spring Shooting. 
MttSKOKA, Can.— Editor Forest and Stream: I was 
much interested in some letters . from correspondents 
which appeared some time ago under this head. This to 
the sportsman is a question of the greatest importance. It 
appears to me that the present generation as a rule is 
thoroughly selfish, the ma jority not caring a snap whether 
their children or childrens' children ever see— let alone 
shoot — a duck. Does it ever occur to them that every 
duck that is lucky enough to run (or fly) the gauntlet in 
the spring is the representative of an average of six or 
seven at the best returning in the fall? Only think of the 
increased sport in the fall a close spring season would 
afford. 
Who would think of going into their poultry yard in 
the spring and indiscriminately killing off the occupants? 
bprmg shooting is on a par with this. It is certainly only 
a matter of a few years before a close spring season will 
perforce have to be established. Why not agitate this 
most important change at once, before the stock gets so 
low that it will take years to reach its present (I was 
?oing to say former) numbers? There may still be num- 
bers of ducks in certain localities, but in our Northern 
districts, in spite of our not having the usual class of feed 
(wild rice, etc.), we could years ago make fait bags The 
wood duck thpn was very numerous; now it is seldom 
seen; and other varieties are almost as rare. 
J. H. Wilmott. 
Denver, Col.— Editor Forest and Stream: Stop the 
spring shooting, l. B. France. 
A Nutmeg Quail Story. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
The New York Sun reports that two Connecticut women 
lave been fined for breaking up a quail's nest; and it ex- 
plains that in a mowing lot on the edge of the forest a few 
days ago, they found a quail's.nest "with eight birds in it 
that were two weeks old. They knew a bird fancier in 
town who desired to domesticate a brood of quail, so they 
pilfered the fledgelings and sold them to him for a good 
price." Who ever heard of a nest of quail fledgelings two 
weeks old? But I* you see.tt in the Sun it.'s. so. 
Barker^ 
