Itot. 21, 1896.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
407 
before made. I had the good fortune to run across two 
bulls who were quietly feeding. I found them quite tame, 
but inclined to dispute my right to land from the canoe, 
, but they finally concluded not to do so, and leisurely 
trotted off. I could have shot them both without dif- 
ficulty, but as I had already killed one, I refrained from 
doing so, although the temptation was strong. 
On my way home I met a gentleman who run on to 
three bulls together, and leisurely picked off the largest. 
These two experiences will show that there are a ^ew 
bulls left: 
It is undoubtedly true that there have been many bulls 
killed this year, probably more than were killed last year, 
but I claim that the larger part were killed in the close 
season. I have hunted in Maine for many years, and 
have an intimate acquaintance with many of the best 
^ guides, and they all assure me that it is a fact that nine- 
teen out of every twenty bulls that are killed are killed in 
September during the rutting season, the "sport" remain- 
ing in camp over into October long enough to be able to 
claim, if questioned by a game warden, that his bull was 
taken in that month. To confirm the assertion that I 
have just made I desire to state a case that came to my 
notice this season. I started into camp Oct. 3, and my 
first day out I met a party on the way home with a 
head, and the skin and particles of flesh on the skull were 
as dry as though baked in an oven; the hair was of a 
very peculiar color, different from any that I had seen 
before. Two days after this time, while hunting in the 
locality where this bull was shot, I was attracted by a 
strong smell coming from a certain point, and on an in- 
vestigation found portions of a moose hanging in a tree, 
hide on, and with this same peculiar colored hair as seen 
on the head, showing that they without doubt came from 
the same animal; the meat had been taken possession of 
by maggots, showing conclusively that the animal had been 
shot in September, and during the early part at that. 
It is a fact that is unquestioned that many thousand 
dollars are spent each year in Maine by sportsmen which 
would not be spent if there was a close time on moose for 
ten years or less, and this fact alone should be enough to 
induce the Maine Legislature to appropriate money enough 
to enable the Commissioners to properly enforce the pres- 
ent law; and if this was done, in my judgment, the prob- 
lem of the increase of game would be solved. 
I have thought for some time that if the Commissioners 
could devise some plan to interest the guides in the pro- 
tection of game, they would receive very valuable assist- 
ance from them. At present, however, the average 
guide looks upon a game warden as his enemy, and is 
therefore indifferent, This has been largely brought 
about by the employment in the past of incompetent 
wardens; but I am inclined to think that the weeding out 
process has commenced and that more intelligent men 
are now employed and probably in time. When the guides 
realize that the warden instead of being his enemy is his 
friend, and is working for that which will benefit his 
pocket, he will prove a valuable assistant to the Fish and 
Game Commissioners. 
In conclusion I desire to repeat what I have said before, 
that in my judgment, if the present game laws are en- 
forced, they are strong enough to protect game and to 
allow it to increase; but to do this the Commissioners 
must; 
First — ^Have sufficient funds to carry on and enlarge the 
good work that they are now doing, and 
Sacond — Interest the guides and secure their co-opera- 
tion. X. 
[We have further a communication from Mr. Jonathan 
Darling on this type,] 
HUNTER'S LUCK. 
I SEE from the various reports in your columns that the 
Sportsmen are returning from their trips, and as a matter 
of interest to all of your readers their experience and suc- 
cesses are being recorded. Let me add my quota: 
Mr. H. S. Clark, first teller in the Lincoln National 
Bank, of this city, who last year had such good luck 
with caribou, securing two fine heads to his own gun, 
being anxious to add an elk or big-horn to his fine col- 
lection, started with a party under fine auspices for the 
big game region of Colorado, as we mentioned in a for- 
mer article in this paper. They went some fifty miles by 
buckboard and then forty more on horseback and on foot 
up the mountains beyond civilization to a substantial 
camp. They report a delightful time in camp, plenty of 
antelope, some blacktail, and grouse without number, 
but no elk antlers adorn Harry Clark's dining room this 
season. They saw several herds of elk (one quite large 
one), but not a horn among them all; all had been 
thinned out by market or head hunters. Clark will try 
it again next season. 
Dr. P. W, Levering, Dr. Z, P. Fletcher, John Polhemus 
and James Earl, of Jersey City, sojourned around Porter's 
Lake, some fifteen miles up the mountain in Pike county. 
Pa. They brought back a box of grouse and one of the 
finest four-year-old does we ever saw, very fat, weighing 
1681bs. when paunched. We had some of the steaks and 
they were delicious. The party were met at Canadensis 
by Geo. Crane with his double team, who introduced 
them to Mr, Aug, Rabourdin, of Mount Hope, the hunter 
and guide of the wilds to be prospected, Mr, Rabourdin 
is an old French soldier, a man of more than ordinary in- 
telligence, loves the woods and is posted in regard to its 
localities, and is a very companionable man. 
The first day they secured several grouse only, The 
second day (and how singular things turn outl) Mr. Pol- 
hemus owed his lucky shot to tumbling off a log into the 
river. At the Bushkill River a tree had fallen across, 
over which the party had crossed in safety with the excep- 
tion of Mr. Polhemus; for some reason or other when in 
midstream he lost his equipoise and went over. Dr, Lev- 
ering rushed back and helped him back on to the frosty 
log, only to see him go over again; but he finally reached 
the other shore a very wet and demoralized individual. 
Hunter Rabourdin, after taking the party up some dis- 
tance on a ledge that overlooked considerable country, 
said: "This is a fair runway for deer. I expected to put 
Levering here and you further on ; but as you are so wet, 
you had better stop here; build a fire and dry yourself, as 
it may be a couple of hours before we start a deer." Pol- 
hemus had got nicely dried, had a good smoke, and was 
feeling on good terms with himself and mankind in gen- 
eral, when he heard the hound's full tone bearing up the 
ravine, and a doe came bounding along which he stopped 
eautifuUy. Moral: If you want to get the best runway 
for deer tumble into the brook for it; Don't believe it, 
and don't want to try it. 
The best episode in the whole trip was Doc Levering's 
bear experience. The guide had come around and posted 
the different stands that there was a bear in the swamp, 
and the dog might drive him out by either one of their 
stands. The guide had with Ijim when he Giat started 
out a large black Newfoundland dog, which he kept in 
leash beside him. 
Levering, having eaten his lunch, was taking things 
coolly when he happenc d to look over toward a large 
rock some 40 or .50y^s. away, when he saw the guide's 
black dog stick his head above the rock, his paws in 
front, gazing at him. Levering with his Winchester at 
his shoulder, his elbow on his knee, took deliberate sight 
between the eyes of the dog, saying to himself, "Oh, if 
you were only the bear, how I would spoil those eyesl" 
The dog dropped back out of sight. Soon the hound 
came bellowing along that way; then the guide followed. 
"Didn't you see anything of the bear?" "No," says the 
Doctor, "I saw your black dog over there by that rock." 
"Why, my dog has been with me all the time," On in- 
vestigation the mark of the bear's paws with the black 
muck from the swamp was plainly discernible on the 
rock. Levering don't like to hear this story told, but 
then you know, history is history. He says it is bosh, 
that he knows the difference between a dog's and a bear's 
ears, 
Richard Dyne, of Jersey City, has just returned from 
Pike county. He went for grouse. Dyne is, we think, 
one of the best if not the best brush shot (for grouse es- 
pecially) in the whole State of New Jersey; and we will 
not bar Jack Brewer, Sam Castle, Big Terrell, or any one 
else. We got the cartridges for Dick. He said he wanted 
no boy popguns; that when he went for grouse in the 
brush he wanted something that he could depend upon to 
kill. We got him from Squires some Winchester rein- 
forced-base shells, loaded with 3fdrs. Walsrode and No. 7 
chilled shot. Dick expected to bring back from fifty to 
100 grouse, but alas! upon arriving at the grounds up the 
motintain (they drove some twenty-five miles from the rail- 
road) they found miles of the best hunting ground a black- 
ened waste. Some fool hunter had carelessly or intention- 
ally fired the forest, and of course the birds had left. They 
only put up nine, eight of which they secured. In the 
swamp where the fire had not reached they found a few 
woodcock, and knocked over a half dozen of what Dick 
calls jack rabbits (big fellows). They were, we suspect, 
the northern hare (Lepus artieus), as we have no jack 
rabbits wild around here. 
Dick made a double shot which is worth recording. 
He had followed a big cock grouse some distance, the 
wary bird not lying for the dog, but getting up with a 
whir beyond shot range, but at each rise lying closer. 
At last Dick marked it down to a nicety and his dog 
drew and then came to a stand; the bird got up and was 
promptly knocked over, when to Dick's amazement at 
the crack of the gun a buck deer sprang up and bounded 
off , giving him a fair side view, some 20 or 25jds. dis- 
tance. Dick is always cool and he held for just back of 
the shoulder and down came the animal, a spikehorn 
buck, the No. 7 chilled cutting the heart in two, and the 
shot going through the body even to the skin in the op- 
posite side. The deer weighed 1581bs. when dressed. 
Dick has great faith in Walsrode powder for penetra- 
tion. 
And lastly, as to your subscriber, who essayed to try the 
swales of Dutchess county, where he had such sport last 
fall, an account of which appeared in your paper. We 
were met at the depot by Coz Will Boardman. After sup- 
per we were heartily received by the boys at Numan's, the 
sportsmen's headquarters of that region. They thought 
there were some birds around. We were much disap- 
pointed to learn that we could not secure the services of 
J ack Fitzpatrick, who was engaged night and day run- 
ning the engine of a cidar mill in the neighborhood. 
This is a great year for apples, and it did seem too bad to 
see thousands and thousands of bushels rotting on the 
ground; it would not pay to gather and barrel them for 
market. This cider mill, with a 15 horse-power en- 
gine, would cider up from 100 to 250 bushels of apples in 
a day. Connected with the mill was an "evaporator" 
they called it — a commodious house where apples were 
pared, cored, sliced and dried with the aid of some half 
dozen bright-eyed lassies and as many boys. We regret 
that we have lost our notes, but we thought at the time it 
was all very interesting, if not really connected with 
sport. But then, you know, sweet cider is awful good. 
Bright and early, with Mike i'itzpatrick (Switzer, the 
boys call him) and his dog Cute, we climbed the hills. 
We found the birds few and very wild; would not lie tO' 
a dog until after having been put up several times; and 
it was hard work climbing those ledges. Mike didn't seem 
to mind it a bit, but Jacobstaff's three-score years and 
five told on him after the first few hours, and he was 
glad to take to the squirrel woods, whei'e he had some 
good old-fashioned sport with the bushy tails. They are 
quite plenty around there this year and they make an 
elegant pie; beat a hare or rabbit all hollow. 
The next day Mr. W. H. Bartlett, ex Sheriff of the 
county, and one of the proprietors of the Amenia brick 
yard, very kindly took us in his buggy up the mountain, 
some eight miles to the gold mine recently discovered, 
and from which good things are expected. The shaft is 
now sunk some 150ft. (116 perpendicularly), and they ex- 
pect to strike the mother vein of rich gold-bearing quartz 
at about 300ft. The ore that they are taking out now 
contains, among other things, iron pyrites and what they 
call arsenical gold, assaying from $10 to $60 a ton, aver- 
aging so far about $27 per ton. We lost all our notes 
during the excitement of the election and regret we can- 
not recall the very lucid explanation given us of ore 
veins, etc. , by the practical miner, an experienced man 
from Denver, sent for by the company. He has great 
hopes of the future development of gold in Dutchess 
county, as several of the farmers have, as claims are 
being made and staked out; but all are waiting for this 
first experiment. 
Among our trophies bagged by Jacobstaff was a big 
black woodchuck. We" wished we had him home, for we 
recall that in our boyhood days baked woodchuck was 
not bad. But Cousin Kate didn't seem anxious to cook 
the animal and Coz Will didn't urge the matter very hard, 
so we presented it to friend Numan, which I dan't believe 
he really appreciated either. 
Well, we had a good visit, made some desirable friends 
and got some game, not mueh; but, as Shakespeare says of 
the wound, "Not as deep as a weU or as wide aa a door 
but will do," or words to that effect; and so ends trip 
second to Amenia. 
What capital articles Fred Mather is giving us! His 
notes on trapper life are graphic and to the life; we know, 
having been there, and his article on Cbas. H. Raymond, 
whom no one knows but to love, was peculiarly felicitous. 
I trust he will keep up the series down to modern days, 
when we can recognize familiar faces in his splendid por- 
traits—Gen. Arthur and others. Jacobstaff. 
PROTECTION IN ALABAMA. 
Birmingham, Ala., Nov. IL— Editor Forest and Stream: 
Last night in the Commercial Club a number of well- 
known gentlemen of this city gathered pursuant to a call, 
and steps of an initial nature were taken to have laws 
drafted and carried out, whereby the fish and game of 
this State will be better protected. Mr. H. K. Milner was 
elected temporary chairman, and Mr, John B, Rosenstihl 
temporary secretary. The chairman stated the object of 
the meeting, and the matter was discussed with an ear- 
nestness which indicated success. 
On motion of Dr. J. H. Allen, a committee of five was 
appointed to draft general laws and plans whereby they 
might be carried out, looking to the preservation of fish 
and game in the State, They were Dr. J. H. Allen, Judge 
W. W. Wilkerson, H. Perry, J. T. Glover and Dr. Alf 
Eubanks. 
On motion of Dr. Allen the chair appointed as a commit- 
tee of three to request the press of the State to let the citi- 
zens know of the meeting, its objects, etc., and to add a 
request that all in sympathy with the movement signify 
their willingness to participate in it by communicating 
with the secretary, Hon. F. P. O'Brien and W. "A. Porter 
and Dr. George Eubanks. 
Major W. J. Milner moved a committee of three, the 
chair included, be appointed to draft suitable constitution 
and by-laws and report permanent officers to a subsequent 
meeting. The chairman named T, T. Ashford, Dr. R. G. 
Jones and himself as the committee. 
The meeting adjourned subject to call. 
We are very much in earnest over this question. Our 
State is in a deplorable state in regard to its game; in 
brief it is virtually without protection, as there is no 
officer whose duty it is to look to the enforcement of the 
laws now in existence, and one citizen will not inform 
against another for many personal reasons. Hence the 
old axiom holds good, "Wnat is every one's business is 
no one's." The sentiment is such that I don't think it 
possible to create officers for the special purpose of game 
protection and pay these officers out of the State fund as 
it now stands, and we would be sure to raise a howl if it 
sbould be tried to raise this fund by ever so slight an in- 
crease. I can see but one way, which is to make these dual. 
Invest the Commissioner of Agriculture with State war- 
denship, and one constable in every beat with the office 
of deputy warden; these to be paid only a nominal salary 
by the State and half of the fine through any conviction 
they taring about. J. H. Allen, Chair, Com. 
THE .30CAL. SMOKELESS HUNTINp 
RIFLE. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
The newspapers lately have with their customary 
acumen discovered a chance for a sensation in the ex- 
ploitation of the dangers of the small-bore smokeless pow- 
der rifle as used by hunters. 
I confess that I should not care to hunt on the Long 
Island deer grounds with such rifles in use, but for that 
matter there is no pleasure in hunting there anyhow. 
Under ordinary hunting conditions, however, I do not 
believe that the use of the small bores adds greatly to the 
dangers of the woods, and given an equal number of 
hunters I doubt if it pictually makes any difference as far 
as danger to human life is concerned whether they be 
armed with the small bores or black powder rifles, or for 
that matter shotguns loaded with buckshot. Theoretic- 
ally it can no doubt be satisfactorily proved that the 
,30cals, are 50 or 100 per cent, more dangerous than the 
other guns, but then expert arguers have frequently 
proved that this same rifle has no killing power at all, and 
that, as was actually stated, a man can "walk off with 
seven bullets through his body." 
If seven bullets didn't phase the man whose body re- 
ceived them, one bullet would be a trifle hardly worth 
noticing. But such argument is of course foolish, and as 
an actual fact a single .SOoal. bullet at ordinary ranges 
kills a man as dead as one of Zalinsky's dynamite guns. 
It never settles any question to debate upon it, and 
practical experience is the only final court of appeal. 
The small-bore rifles are winning many advocates among 
hunters, and I have yet to learn of anyone who has been 
accidentally killed by a rifle of this character at long 
range. 
Following the line of argument adopted by those who 
condemn on this score the small bores, it would natu- 
rally appear that long range rifles of any pattern are 
vastly more dangerous to human life than short range 
rifles, and that both are more dangerous than shotguns. 
This is theoretically unanswerable, but to descend to 
actual fact, how many men are accidentally killed at long 
range? Can a single instance be mentioned aside from 
accidents occurring in rifle ranges? Then consider the 
number of men killed each hunting season with buckshot 
and you will acknowledge that the shotgun is actually 
the most dangerous weapon of the two. By the most 
dangerous weapon I do not mean "theoretically most 
dangerous." The ghosts that our nurses used to scare us 
with were to us theoretically more dangerous than the 
buzz saws that our infant flngers monkeyed with; when 
I say most dangerous I mean the guns that actually kill 
people, not the guns that scare them when they read 
alaout them in the papers. 
My wife read one of the sensational articles the other 
•day and said: 
"John, I don't want you to go on that hunting trip. I 
am afraid you will be killed by one of those- kuus that 
carry four miles and a half." 
"Don't you worry, my dear," I replied. "Every man 
who has been killed where I am going has been shot with 
buckshot." 
If I had wanted to still further aUay her fears I might 
have added that hunters in wooded countries are never 
killed by stray bullets at long range. Whether they are 
hit by rifle or shotgun it is always at short range, and in 
