426 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
lNov. 28, 1896. 
SOMETHING ABOUT THE .22. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
Having made a discovery that I consider well worth 
making a record of, I reRort to words which are hereby 
tendered to Forest and Stream and after times. 
The discovery I have made has undoubtedly been made 
before; but that doesn't greatly matter, for even Christo- 
pher Columbus only found this side of the world some ages 
after it had been inhabited and explored, I am inclined 
to think that either any one can make a discovery or that 
no one can. Discoveries are, after all, something rarer 
than they seem. When the North Pole is found probably 
there will be an Esquimau, a Chinaman or a native of the 
aurora borealis astride of it. 
However, permit me to record that the modern , 33cal. 
rifle is one of the things not thoroughly known and com- 
prehended. The .S3 is quite too generally looked upon as 
a toy gun or a sort of pea-shooter, suited to pistol galleries 
or parlor target practice. The .22, if its merits and vir- 
tues are to be recognized, has a large and obese future 
directly in front of it. 
In my domain I have been annoyed with hawks, 
ground squirrels and gophers; gray squirrels, grouse and 
quail, jack rabbits, jays, skunks and numerous oth^r 
small deer. When I had occasion to deal harshly with 
them I have had to resort to such weapons as an ordinary 
shotgun or Winchester rifle. My present haunt is in a 
wooded scope of mountains, and it is not often possible in 
such localities to get wing shots at either birds or skunks 
or rodents, while it seems like driving naUs with a pile- 
driver to fire the guns of ordinary caliber at small game 
in the trees or on the ground. 
I cultivated the acquaintance of a .23 and made it my 
own. The one I selected is a Marlin, shooting the rim- 
fire cartridges, short and long. I had it fitted^with Ly- 
man peep sight and bead, and I am now able to break a 
squirrel's neck at SOyds. and not make much noise about 
it either. I can surprise a hawk at 50 or 75yd8. so that 
he never gets over it. Gophers, skunks, etc., just simply 
manifest their astonishment with a handspring or two 
and a few kicks at the sky. 
My greatest satisfaction, however, is in the scientific 
style in which I can gather a quail or two in out of the 
wilderness, and do it in a sportsmanlike kind of a way. 
It is something of an achievement to any one who aspires 
to accuracy in shooting to break a quail's neck with a 
single peUet from a .23, and it is further a very satisfac- 
tory thmg to know that the bird is either killed instantly 
or epcapes uninjured. 
I have merely touched, upon a few of the good qualities 
of this model-little gun, and in order to be brief I will 
make the sweeping assertion that it is the best arm in ex- 
istence for genteel and proficient sportsmen, hunting for 
game smaller than bears or elk, and shooting distances 
under 100yds. 
In open country, at wildfowl larger than a quail, an ex- 
pert should kiU three out of five birds a- wing. He should 
be able to kill further than with a shotgun, and he would 
rarely lose a cripple. To my mind the use of a shotgun, 
after using a .33 rifle, is much like catching trout with 
dynamite or exterminating ducks with a yacht cannon. 
I venture to predict that what we now cherish as true 
sportsmanship — say the quality of being a good wing-shot 
with a shotgun, putting 1,000 pellets into a circle 1yd. in 
diameter at 40 or 50yds. — will be considered barbarous 
twenty years hence. In 1917 the genteel gunner will 
bring in ducks, grouse, squirrels, deer and the other tro- 
phies of his skill; but they will not be filled with pellets of 
No. 6 or No. 8 shot, or bear the fearful evidence of a .4^: 
or .45-caliber rifle ball. If now and then such a gunner 
shows up, he will be looked upon as a pot-hunter from 
some backwoods swamp or the bad lands. 
Sportsmanship is bound to keep pace with the times, 
and the true element of true sportsmanship is likely to 
crystallize into skill and accuracy rather than in the 
destru ^tiveness and annihilation of game. Isn't it about 
tim° that our crack clubs should shoot bluerocks or live 
birds with a single pellet? Ransacker, 
Shasta Mountains, Oalifornia, Nov. 1. 
THE MAINE MOOSE SUPPLY. 
LOAVELL, Me. — Editor Forest and Stream: I noticed 
the statements of your Bangor correspondent Growler 
about what would be asked for at our next Legislature 
in regard to putting a close time on all moose in Maine 
for a term of years. He says that this matter has been 
discussed for years, that moose will soon become extinct, 
etc. At the same time our moose have been on the in- 
crease, and I think his own statements show it. 
He says that large moose are getting scarce in Maine; 
that all the large males are so easily called in the love- 
making season, at which time they lose all fear and 
rush out to give battle to railroad trains, etc. I never 
hut once saw a bull moose show signs of giving battle, 
and that one was with a cow when I came upon him. I 
shot him down on the start, so I can't say what he might 
have done. They can be called to the hunter quite read- 
ily through September; the first half after the 6th is the 
best, as then they have not many of them got a mate. 
But even then they are very cautious how they advance, 
and if they scent the hunter he loses his game. If this 
moose calling business can be well looked into it will be 
found that most of the moose called out and shot have 
been killed in September. October, as of late years, is a 
hard month to call out a bull moose. The principle rea- 
son is this: There are without doubt more cows than bulls, 
but not so many as some may suppose. A cow moose 
and a doe deer in most cases have two young at a birth, 
and in most cases a male and female. 
L'lt us now see what he says about Game Warden Cum- 
mings, who has spent most of his time the past season in 
the Chamberlain Lake region. He actually counted 
nearly 500 moose. Does this look as though moose were 
nearly exterminated? Seventy-five bulls he counted (which 
were enough for the cows), but he did not see the average 
p oportion of the bulls; for, as a rule, while their horns are 
growing they keep on higher open grounds, the same as the 
male caribou and deer. He also speaks of Beal. Fowls, 
of Milo, one of the oldest and most experienced guides in 
Maine, seeing herds of moose the past season from fifteen 
to thirty. Then again several hundred moose this season 
have migrated from this section southeast and into Han- 
cock and Washington counties. 
From what I have seen and learned, the parties of 
JiTjDterg tiliat went into the moose regions in September 
came out early in October with big moose heads, and I 
believe that if the State can send wardens into our moose 
sections in September and ahead of the hunters, it will 
make a big difference in regard to so many moose being 
killed the first part or first day of October. If the law we 
have can be enforced I believe it is well enough as it 
now is. 
About my camps and the headwaters of Aroostook 
River the moose signs are as plenty as they have been for 
several years. Two bulls were killed near Grand Lake 
and two more wounded. None were called out, but were 
still- hunted, and the prospect is good for tracking when 
snow comes. 
I think moose every season come to Maine from the 
Northwest. J. Daelino. 
P. S. — In making a reply to Growler's statements 
about Maine moose, I thought I would not mention what 
he said about Dr. Weld, ex- Mayor of Old Town, Me., 
making an examination of eleven cow moose, where the 
Doctor found only four of the eleven that had promise of 
producing offspring in the spring. It is a foolish state- 
ment that a doctor examined dead moose after being 
dressed by the hunters and brought to market. When a 
hunter dresses a moose he removes everything that would 
show signs of offspring at that season of the year. 
J. D. 
BOSTON MEN IN MAINE WOODS. 
Boston, Nov. 20 — The Harry Moore party is out of the 
woods with reports of good luck and a fine time. In the 
party were Messrs. E, Noyes Whitcomb. David Mcintosh, 
L<?roy S. Brown, George C. Moore and Hfrry B. Moore. 
They weot to Camp West, St. Croix, Me., 388 miles from 
Boston, leaving that city Friday, Nov. 6, and getting back 
Saturday evening, Nov. 14 "They had for guides Louis 
B"ll, Robert S Porter, Fred. Shoulder and Jim Ireland. 
Much stormy and unpleasant weather was experienced, 
Sin. of snow falling on the night of the 11th. The log 
says that the party arrived at camp Saturday, the 7th, 
George C. Moore shot an owl, and Harry B. Moore 
jumped a buck; otherwise no hunting would have been 
done by the party that day. The next day, Sunday, "de- 
votions" were held at the camp by a part of the company. 
George C. and Harry B. strolled fourteen miles, with 
Louis and rifles, to see the woods. They were much im- 
pressed by the density of the. virgin forest. Neither 
would fire his rifle to break the stillness of the Sabbath. 
E. Noyes W. and Leroy S. B. sauntered out four miles 
with their rifles for defense. Monday a general survey 
of the forest was made by all of the party; saw many 
signs of deer and caribou. George C. M. and Harry B. 
M. walked up the track six miles. E. Noyes W. re- 
turned to camp with a portion of a rabbit. David 
McI. and L, S. B. also returned. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 
the party saw nine deer. Two were shot at and one 
was killed. Those seen were many miles from camp, 
hence only one was killed. Show fell the next day. 
Divid McI. shot a doe, and a fat doe was killed by 
George C. M. He was also given an opportunity to 
kill a large buck, but politeness on the hunter's part 
lost him the chance. Three other deer were shot at, 
making seven seen that day. Thursday, Nov. 13, two 
deer were seen, but none killed; too much crust and toQ 
much noise. E Noyes W. saw fresh moose signs. Fri- 
day. Nov. 13, five deer were seen and two killed. Leroy 
S. B. killed a magnificent buck with five horns. It 
dressed IBSlbs. B. was naturally hilarious, but actually 
quiet. He fired two shots at the buck, only one of which 
was necessary. The first took effect in the buck's kid- 
neys, located 65yds. away; the other in a log. This was 
the day that H. B, M.'s doe was shot, and she was 
too small to make much mention of. Dressed, she 
weighed 108lbs. The last night in camp the house cat 
had not returned. She disappeared Tuesday; sausage 
nearly every meal since. Saturday, the 14th, all took 
departure for home on the 8:05 train, with the exception 
of David McI. He had decided to stay until either a 
moose or buck fell to his rifle. E. Noyes W. suggests 
sending him all his winter clothes. The trip home was 
uneventful, except that the reporter of a daily paper 
came on at Bangor. He took the names of the party and 
their luck. His paper came out the next day with Leroy 
S. B.'s name down as "Annie S. Brown, one buck deer." 
The boys suggest that the deer must have been killed by 
Brown's aunt. 
Nov. S3. — Tracking snows have not yet been much of a 
feature in favor of the Maine big game hunters. A few 
inches have fallen in some sections, giving fair hunting 
for a day, but followed at night by freezing and the con- 
sequent crust. But the slaughter of deer is great enough, 
doubtless all the supply can stand. The number can be 
accounted for only under the fact that the number of 
hunters has been much greater. Then the idea with cer- 
tain guides to hunt about all the time during the open 
season and have deer ready killed for their patrons is 
being practiced more than ever this season. Legislation 
will have to stop this hunting if the game supply is to be 
kept up in that State. I have talked with sportsmen who 
have been into the Maine woods a good deal of late, and 
it is suggested that at least seven deer out of every ten 
have been killed by guides this fall. 
Among the latest successes of Boston sportsmen may be 
mentioned H. S. Wilson, two deer, from Eustice; Dr. H. 
Kimball, two deer; H. M. Adams, one deer; C. A. San- 
born, one deer; H. Hallett, one deer; W. H. Butler, 
one deer; Dr. R. W. Tinker, one deer; Mrs. S. J. Maxton, 
one deer. Special. 
Ledge House, Dead River, Me,, Nov. 18.— Mr. Fred, G. 
Feldhus, with a party of fourteen, have been here for the 
past week. They had very good success, getting a dozen 
deer and a big bull moose. Frank Place and B. L, Fowler, 
of Long Island, also got their deer and went home well 
pleased, Fred. Ash, with a party of five, are here now. 
They have got eight deer, some very fine bucks. Mr. W. 
H. Barns had very good luck, getting two nice deer. Mr, 
J. D. Wilkens while out hunting last week with Ed. 
Donahew, guide, got a big bull moose. He reports seeing 
seven other moose the same day. 
Four times as many moose and deer have been shipped 
from the Ledge House this season as ever before, and all 
the guides report them far more plenty than ever before. 
J. G. Harlow. 
Ttie Forest and Stream ta put to press each week on Tuesday 
Correspondence intended for publication ahould reag}^ ■{{,g a? th^ 
li^tesit by Jtfmday, mi wycft earli^ ot practicable. 
THE MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION 
i' Boston, Nov. 20,— Editor Forest and Stream: Once 
more we count the season for outdoor sports and camp 
life over; to be sure, many sportsmen are yet in the woods 
trying for big game, but to a large majority the season of 
1896 has gone into history. Of course we haven't ceased 
to talk over our experiences, good, bad and indifferent, 
and so far as I am concerned I am continually reminded 
that I wasn't alone in experiencing poor bass fishing in 
Lake Winnepisaukee last summer. 1 have heard of sev- 
eral experiences very like unto the one I explained in 
Forrst and Stream several weeks ago. They also all 
agree with my conclusion as to the cause for the poor fish- 
ing there— the abundance of natural bait in the lake, 
filled as it is with smelt, shiners, etc., giving the bass all 
food he wants without depending upon shiners, hellgram- 
ite, grasshoppers or any other lure that may be attached, 
to a hook. So that it is perfectly natural that as others, 
no doubt better fishermen than I, didn't get many bass, I 
am more reconciled to my poor luck. 
The first regular monthly meeting of the Massachusetts 
Fish and Game Protective Association after the summer 
holidays was held at the Copley Square Hotel on the 
evening of Wednesday, 18th inst. It was also a subscrip- 
tion dinner and there were about fifty members seated 
around the well-filled tables, including President B, C. 
Clark, Secretary Kimball, ex-President George W. 
Wiggin, ex-President E, A. Samuels, Dr. Heber 
Bishop, Dr. E. M. Branigan, Warren Hapgood, Ballin 
Jones, J. S. Duncklee, E. E, Small, Charles G. 
Gibson, Loring Crocker, Dr. W. G. Kendall, W. 
B. Hasting.3, Walter Brackett, A. W. Robinson, 
J. Russell Reed, Dr. J. T. Stetson, H, B. Reed, Dr. W. A. 
Morris, George O. Sears, Dr. Wm. A. Read, Albert N. 
Parlin, Walter C. Prescott, Dr. B. B. Howe, Dr. A. R. 
Brown, J. Q. A. Field, D. C. Heath, Louis Prager, Wm. 
Reed, and others. After an excellent dinner President 
Clark spoke briefly, expressing the hope and belief that 
the members had passed a pleasant summer and were 
ready to take hold of the work of the association with 
renewed vigor. Several new members were elected and 
half a dozen names were proposed and referred to the 
committee on membership. The following committees 
were appointed: To nominate oflELcers for the ensuing 
year: Dr. E. W. Branigan, Charles Stewart. Dr. J. W. 
Bull, Alexander Pape, Ivers W. Adams. W. B. Hastings, 
Loring Crocker, On annual dinner: Dr. Heber Bishop, 
Walter M. Brackett, C. J. H. Woodbury, Robert S. Gray, 
Charles F. Sprague, George W. Wiggin, Wm. B. Smart, 
Secretary Kimball. Dr. Bishop, for the committee, at 
once reported progress by saying that he had recently 
returned from Maine and that the best parts of a buU 
caribou were in the cold storage waiting the annual 
event. He also said he had located a couple of moose 
which he was going after later. Mr. Charles H, Ames 
was then introduced and gave a most exhaustive and in- 
teresting address upon "The Preservation vs. Extermina- 
tion of Animal Life." He referred to the rapid decrease 
of wild game in the forests of the country; many speci- 
mens are already practically extinct and others are be- 
coming so very rapidly. He knew that the slaughtering 
instinct in man was strong, and he also knew from 
personal experience that it could be repressed. This with 
a proper enforcement of wise and strmgent laws would 
do much to save what game we have and encourage its 
increase. Mr. Ames's address was interspersed with in- 
stances of his personal experiences with the big game in 
almost every part of this great country, and held the 
closest attention of an audience entirely in sympathy 
with his conclusions. Wm. B, Smart. 
CHICAGO AND THE WEST. 
Beasles and Grouse. 
It has always been one of the earnest ambitions of my life 
to become a dog man, although the inner circles of that 
cult have been barred against me for many years. The 
chief objection to my success is alleged to exist in the fact 
that I don't know anything about dogs, though there are 
a good many dog men who have none the best of me in 
that respect.- Such are the inequalities of Ufe. Well, 
anyhow, I was going to report the beagle trials this week 
up at Columbus, Wis., and I had me a new note book and 
a very knowing pair of leggings, and was on hand at the 
break of day on the app minted date. Consider the in- 
equalities of fate yet again! The instant that it was dis- 
covered I was to report the trials the management de- 
clared the trials off, and not a beagle man was there. So 
I turned the affair into a grand eh asse au pied and went 
rabbit hunting and squirrel hunting and grouse hunting 
in company with Ed, Grant and Geo. Berry. We had 
two beagles, one Irish setter and a rattling good time; and 
barring the failure of my ambition I was very much con- 
tent with the arrangement. 
We killed a few rabbits and a number of squirrels, and, 
best of all, got into some good grouse country, so that I 
had a touch of sport of most interesting sort. We hunted 
in a country which has been settled for forty or fifty years 
and which is highly cultivated and thickly inhabited. 
Here and there over this farming land we found strips 
and patches of woodland, some of it second growth, per- 
haps thirty, forty or fifty acres in a body, and in a num- 
ber of these bits of woodland we found these magnificent 
game birds, the ruffed grouse, sometimes two or three, 
sometimes five or six, On our second day we put up 
about a dozen birds ia all, and by hard work managed to 
bag six of them during the day, to say nothing of some- 
thing like a dozen squirrels and three or four rabbits 
which got in the way while we were chasing the grouse 
around and tiring them down so we could accomplish 
their undoing. The merry little sawed-off hounds made 
our grouse shooting harder, as they put the birds up into 
the trees, where we could not see them till they were off 
like a flash from above or behind us. If a man can kill a 
ruffed grouse going out of a tree through scrub oak and a 
thicket, he can kill any animate thing that flies. Both my 
companions did this, but none of us did it all the time, 
and I think each bird cost us an average of a half dozen 
shots. I never got mixed up with more exciting snort. 
Each bird brought to bag meant a triumph after long effort, 
and even my friends, who were old and callous grouse 
shots, exulted with me over each bird as we picked it up. 
One old cock afforded us especial trouble. We started 
him no less than six times during the day, and each of us 
had from three to six shots at him. It was well toward 
evening when Graut and I got him. up again, and marfeed 
