228 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[Sept. 19, 1896. 
Pennsylvania State Sportsmen's Association. 
Mr. H, M. F. Wordbn, chairman of the legislative 
committee of the Pennsylvania State Sportsmen's Associ- 
ation, has issued the following call for a meeting of that 
committee: 
"The legislative committee of the Pennsylvania State 
Sportsmen's Association, of which I am chairman, and 
you a member for your county, will meet for permanent 
organization at the Commonwealth Hotel, Harrisburg, 
Pa., the evening of Sept. 30, at 8 P. M. : 
"First, to consider some effective system of protection 
to our game and fish under a properly formed department 
to enforce the laws. 
"Secondly, the consideration of a general revision of 
our game and fish laws, and such other needed alter- 
ations governing the same as may come before the com- 
mittee. 
"I trust that you will be willing to assist in assuming 
the initiative, and if necessary make some personal sacri- 
fice to attend this meeting, 
"Any who have given this subject any thought cannot 
but realize the need of prompt and united action, in order 
that the game of our Commonwealth shall teceive protec- 
tion similar to that accorded it by our sister States." 
Barnesat Birds. 
Barnegat Inlet, Sept. 12 —The fishing here during the 
past week has been poor, nearly all the captains reporting 
small catches. Large flocks of snipe and plover are seen 
daily in the vicinity of the Sedge Islands and Sea Dog 
Shoals, and seem quite tame, as only few sportsmen have 
tried this fascinating sport. Black ducks are arriving in 
Birnegat Bay in bunches of ten and tweniy-five, flying 
high and headed to the South. Sea Dog, 
THE TEXAS CONVENTION. 
San Antonio, Tex., Sapt. 10 —While all the sportsmen 
of Texas welcomed the prospect of meeting in Waco on 
the 5th inst. for the purpose of laying the foundation of 
an organization for the protection of game, all were 
agreeably surprised at the large attendance, the evident 
enthusiasm in the cause and the prompt manner in which 
the convention expedited the business at hand. 
About 135 delegates were present and every section of 
the State sent its quota of representatives. 
A committee on permanent organization was appointed 
by temporary chairman Lockett, of Austin, consisting of 
J. H, Quarles, of Waco; L, Howe, of Ft. Worth, and O, 
C. Guessaz, of San Antonio, and they reported the follow- 
ing officers, who were promptly elected : President, R. R, 
Lockett, of Austin; Secretary, Turner Hubby, of Waco; 
Treasurer, Walter V. Fort, of Waco, 
The president was empowered to appoint a vice-presi- 
dent for each county in the State, and the committee 
recommended the appointment of a legislative committee 
into whose hands will be placed the material necessary 
for a bill embodying the demands of this body, to be pre- 
sented to the next Legislature, which convenes in Austin 
this coming winter. 
The following communication was read: "Victoria, 
Tex. — ^Reliable information of shipment from here this 
season of over 54,000 plover and great preparation for 
slaughter of quail impresses upon us the necessity for 
game protection. We suggest a law prohibiting the 
transportation out of the State, but will cordially co- 
operate to secure the passage and enforcement of any law 
your judgment may deem will secure the desired result. 
F. C. Proctor, WiUiam Peticolas, Lloyd Ward, I. W. 
O'Connor, Theodore Buhler, Eugene Sibley, W. A, Wood, 
H. Gervais, H. D, Applegate, "Dave Cassety, L, A. Fritz, 
B. F. Williams, F. J. Allnoche, A, S. Thurmond, J, John- 
son, L. P. Leibold, I. S, Bushier," 
The convention adjourned to meet in Austin during the 
session of the incoming Legislature, subj jct to the call of 
the president. Texas Field. 
Chairman Lockett read several suggestions regarding 
organization and plan of work, suggesting a commission 
to protect game. ^ 
A committee was appointed to consider and report on 
the same. J. B. Gilbert, of Houston, deputy sheriff of 
Harris county, circulated among the members copies of 
fu'oposed amendments to the present game law formu- 
ated by the Harris County Game Protective Association 
and submitted to the last session of the Lsgislature. The 
amendments passed the Senate, but were so butchered in 
in the House they were withdrawn. These amendments 
provided for the protection of fish (except hook and line 
fishing) from Feb. 1 to July 1 in non-tidal waters; and 
forbid nets and traps, or use of poison or explosives for 
killing fish, with penalties for possession of fish out of 
season. Close season for deer, Jan. Ito Aug. 1; wild tur- 
keys, April 1 to Oct. 1; prairie chickens, Nov. 1 to Aug. 1; 
quail (partridge), April 1 to Oct. 1; trapping or netting 
torbidden at all times; wildfowl shooting at night forbid- 
den. Antelope protected from Jan. 1 to Aug, 1 ; posses- 
sion of game or fish prohibited in close season; killing 
game for shipment out of the State forbidden; exportation 
forbidden. 
The committee to take action on Mr. Lockett's recom- 
mendation reported as follows: 1. Game to be declared 
the property of the State. 2. The duties of game warden 
to be added to that of Fish and Oyster Commission. 3, 
Pheasants to be protected for five years; doves to be pro- 
tected from March 1 to Aug. 1. 4. Possession out of sea- 
son of any game bird, wildfowl or other animal protected 
by laws of this State shall be prima faeie evidence of 
guilt. 
The committee also advised the adoption of the amend- 
ments of the Harris County Game Protective Association, 
as printed above, with slight changes in Articles 427, 428 
and 429, the same to be used as the basis of a bill to be 
presented to the Legislature. This was adopted by the 
convention and the permanent chairman instructed to 
appoint a committee to draft the bill. 
The Texas Game Protective Association was adopted as 
the title of the organization. 
NEW JERSEY GAME AND FISH 
INTERESTS. 
The monthly report of State Fish and Game Protector 
Charles A. Shriner, for August, says: 
"Only two events worthy of special mention have 
transpired during the month, the first being an appeal 
taken to the Supreme Court in the case of a number of 
convictions, the defendants attacking the constitutionality 
of the general fish and game law. The defendants re- 
ferred to are a number of Italians in Atlantic county 
whose depredations were interfered with by Warden 
Schneider. The accused were convicted in the lower 
court and took an appeal to the Common Pleas, where the 
judgment below was sustained. They have now obtained 
a writ of certiorari removing the cases to the Supreme 
Court for review, citing as their reasons the alleged uncon- 
stitutionality of the Voorhees act, by which lay judges 
were abolished, and also attacking the fish and game act, 
claiming that the latter is special legislation and that the 
title does not indicate the purport of the act. The Supreme 
Court has already in another case decided the question 
of the validity of the Voorhees act, thus disposing of that 
question, a point which had been rendered additionally 
weak in the case of the Italians by their having recog- 
niz3d the Atlantic Common Pleas as at present constituted 
by taking an appeal to that tribunal. The question of the 
validity of the general fish and game act will be argued 
at the next term of the Supreme Court. Counsel informs 
me that there is little doubt that the judgment of the 
Atlantic Common Pleas wiU be sustained. 
"The other matter worthy of special mention ia the 
purchase of a considerable quantity — 50,000— trout from 
an Eastern trout hatchery. In connection with this 
purchase I desire to call the attention of your honorable 
body to a large number of applications which have been 
received from different parts of the State for some of these 
trout. I have received sufficient applications to dispose 
of ten times the number of trout purchased, and it is ev- 
ident that some of the applicants will be disappointed. 
The trout at present average over 2in, in length, and 
as the full number of 50,000 is to be delivered in New 
York City, there ought to be little loss between the me- 
tropolis and the streams where the fish are to be planted. 
If some of the applications made were to be acceded to, a 
large portion of the whole consignment would be wasted, 
for I have applications for streams where no trout has 
lived or could possibly live, and in some cases the demand 
is altogether out of proportion to the size of the water de- 
sired to be stocked. In accordance with instructions from 
your honorable body, I have informed all persons making 
applications for trout for private streams, or for streams 
where adjoining land owners restrict fishing, that the 
Commission will stock no waters to which the public is 
denied access. The trout will not be distributed until the 
latter part of October, up to which time applications may 
be made for them, blanks for which can be obtained on 
application to my office." 
The record for the month shows twenty-nine prosecu- 
tions for killing song birds, hunting on Sunday, fishing 
with set lines, having bass under size, and other offenses, 
with a total of over $550 collected in fines. 
PROTECTION IN FLORIDA. 
The sportsmen of Ocala have organized a game protect- 
ive association, with Dr. Wm. Anderson as general man- 
ager and a governing board consisting of Wm. Anderson, 
F. A. Teague, B. T. Perdue, O. T. Green and James W. 
Sanders. Some seventy-five members were enrolled. 
The object of the association is not only to rigidly observe 
the present game laws of the State, but each member has 
made a pledge to do all in his power to see that other 
people do the same. These men recognize the fact that 
unless the game of the State is protected as the law 
already directs, in a few years the prestige that Florida 
has enjoyed as the huntsman's paradise will only be a 
memory. The general manager, Dr. Anderson, is the 
right man in the right place, as he is a true disciple of 
rod, reel and gun. 
It is worthy of note that only a day or two after this 
step by the Ocala sportsmen the Jacksonville Times-Union, 
which is the leading paper of the State, printed this most 
sensible editorial on the need of better game protection 
for the State: 
"The Times-Union has for years urged upon the people 
of Florida the necessity of preserving the game now re- 
maining in the State. For years tourists, visitors and the 
home population have slaughtered the wild beasts and 
birds in such wanton manner that an emergency now 
arises which demands a halt upon this wholesale killing. 
The Eastern States have passed through the experience 
that is now threatening us, and the West has seen the 
same process almost denude its prairies and forests of the 
birds and beasts which should be protected by law. 
"From the experience of other sections Florida should 
learn the lesson of caution. The preservation of the wild 
game of the country is a question that haa forced itself 
upon other sections of the country, and its importance is 
rapidly becoming apparent in Florida, the State in which 
game abounds most plentifully. Only a few years back 
deer, turkey, quail, partridge and other game were to be 
found in great numbers in our woods. To-day the con- 
ditions have changed to such extent that a hunt upon the 
part of the sportsmen involves much labor and small re- 
turns. 
"Pot-hunting is largely responsible for this, and should 
be suppressed. There is ample game remaining in Florida 
to breed each year, and still keep the State at its present 
high status as an unexcelled field for the sportsman. But 
to perpetuate this condition new and comprehensive laws 
must be enacted fully covering the situation, and these 
laws must be rigidly enforced. Game laws without full 
operation are worse than useless, and unless every county 
in the State, through its local authorities, administers the 
law in a strict and conscientious manner, the people of 
the State must suffer in the future the same expensive ex- 
perience now being undergone by other sections in the 
endeavor to restore game species almost extinguished by 
wanton slaughter. At present the fish in Florida waters 
are so plentiful as to seem well nigh inexhaustible, but 
State laws should be enacted for their preservation to a 
much more practical extent than now exist, and these 
questions should occupy the early and serious attention of 
the new body of lawmakers who meet in Tallahassee next 
year." 
A Sullivan County Grouse Snarer Brought 
to Time. 
A GAME case of much interest was tried in Monticello, 
Sullivan county, N. Y., last week, and the conviction of 
the offender is said to be the first ever had for the viola- 
tion of the game laws in that county. The action was 
one brought by Game Protector Kidd, of Newburgh, 
against John H. Davis, of Emmonsville, Sullivan county. 
Davis is a storekeeper, who has long carried on a traffic in 
snared grouse shipped to the New York market. On 
Sept. 30, 1895, some of the local sportsmen observed at the 
express office of the New York, Ontario & Western R, R, 
a small box labeled poultry, directed to Wm. H. Cohen «fe 
Co., commissjion merchants, of this city, and with a tag 
bearing Davis's name. They called the attention of the 
express agent to the box, telling him that he must well 
know that it contained game and that he was forwarding 
it contrary to the law which forbids the transportation of 
game unless accompanied by the owner. More than this, 
they informed the game constable, who seized the box 
and sent for Protector Kidd. Dr. Kidd found that the 
box was full of grouse, and an examination showed that 
at least six of them had been snared. He proceeded 
against Davis; but on Davis's representation that the box 
had been left at the express office temporarily, while he 
was waiting for the train to go with the game himself to 
New York, the action was made one to cover the penalty 
for having in xjossession snared grouse. The case was 
tried before Judge Fursman, of Troy, in the Supreme 
Court of Sullivan county, Messrs. Headley & McCIung, of 
Newburgh, appearing for Davis, and ex-District Attorney 
Couch being associated with Clarence Moss, of Waring 
Bros., for the prosecution. The defense relied upon the 
contention which they advanced that when the birds 
were seized they were not in the possession of the de- 
fendant, but of the express company. Judge Fursman, 
however, summarUy squelched Mr. McClung by pointing 
out that the possession had been already acknowledged 
in the answer filed by the defendant. Among the amus- 
ing features of the trial was the testimony of Davis that 
he had shot the birds, using double BB shot; if that were 
true, Judge Fursman suggested, the BBs would be likely 
to leave some shot marks, and there were five witnesses 
to testify that there were no such marks on the birds. 
The defendant's wife also testified that she had gone with 
her husband to see him shoot the birds, and that he had 
drummed them up within range; it was not shown, how- 
ever, that the defendant had wings to drum with. The 
jury convicted on three birds, making the fine $75, and 
the costs will amount to $100 more. The sportsmen of 
Monticello are outspoken in their satisfaction at the 
result of the trial and all commend the way in which Pro- 
tector Kidd handled the case. It is believed that the 
good effect of the conviction will be manifest. At least 
one industrious shipper of snared birds will be less active 
for a while. 
MEN 1 HAVE FISHED WITH. 
XII.— Garrett Van Hoesen. 
The village boys called him Garry Van Hooser, and I 
am not sure but the whole family pronounced it in that 
way, but Garry could write, and he spelled the name as 
it is given above. He had been a clerk in the grocery of 
Thomas B. Simmonds since my earliest memory, and 
had none of the Dutch accent common to his people, for 
at this late day the descendants of the original settlers of 
the Upper Hudson often spoke Dutch, and their English 
had an accent which Garry had lost by frequent contact 
with other people. He was older than I by some six to 
ten years, and was a shy young man, who never seemed 
to have any companions, and often went fishing and 
shooting alone or with his spaniel Coody, which was a 
good retriever. He told me where he got the dog, but 
where its name came from even he did not know. He 
said: "Oh, I do' know, he had to have a name and I just 
called him Coody." 
That settled the matter to the satisfaction of Garry, the 
dog seemed to be pleased with his name, and who could 
object. 
One day in '48, after the election of Gen. Taylor as 
President, when the ice was just thick enough for skating, 
I had been told to stop at the grocery for something when 
I came home to supper, and Garry said: "I am going up 
to the mill pond in the morning to spear eels. How would 
you like to go with me?" 
"First rate; what must I take along?" 
"Nothing but a pair of woolen mittens; your hands will 
freeze without them. I'll put up all the grub we want*. 
Meet me here about 9 in the morning and we'll start." 
During the night about 2in. of snow fell. The morn- 
ing was still and clear, and the snow was soft and dry. 
Garry carried the basket and axe, while I shouldered the 
long spear up past the schoolhouse and along the railroad, 
which then came down to the lower ferry, to the mill 
pond away up by the red mill. The snow was blinding 
as we faced the morning sun, and it also reflected every 
sound. The far-off crows seemed close at hand, a little 
sapsucker pecking on a tree made a great rapping, and 
we could hear what the men were saying down at the 
mill. "Why is it so still after a fall of snow?" I asked. 
' 'It's always that way after a snowstorm," he answered, 
and I went along not entirely satisfied with his laconic 
answer, but accepted his statement of fact. Some philos- 
ophers give us equally lucid explanations and take a whole 
volume to do it in. 
"A week from now the ice will be too thick to spear 
eels," he said, "and it would take half an hour to cut a 
hole. It's just right now, nearly 4in. , and no one has been 
spearing here this year. Down yonder, in the bend, is 
where they bed; the water is deep there." 
All eels bed in the mud in cold weather, and an eel spear 
for soft bottom has a stout central tine barbed on both 
sides; then come flexible tines, about five on each side, 
with barbs on the inside only. The tines are nearly a foot 
in length and radiate from the pole-socket in a flat plane, 
which is some lOin. wide at the lower end. Rigged with 
a light pole 20 ft, or more long, the mud is sounded in a 
regular manner in a circle of perhaps 30ft, in diameter. 
When an eel is struck the spear does not pierce it, but 
holds it by the spring of the tines, which open and clasp it^ 
