106 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[Feb. 6, 1897. 
back for our camp on Wadleigh Brook by a rather round- 
about way. We crossed Little Sourdnahunk Lake on the 
ice, and by paced measurement made it three-quarters of a 
mile in diameter. The lake is oval in shape and beauti- 
fully situated among hardwood ridges. Half a mile fur- 
ther is Thissel Pond, an equally pretty sheet of water and 
only slightly smaller. East of both ponds and forming the 
apex of a triangle drawn from them lies a good caribou 
bog, which is perhaps a mile long, but bo grown up with 
trees that no extended view can be had. This bog is in 
the Trout Brook watershed emptying into East Branch 
waters. Thissel Pond by its outlet flows into Webster 
Lake, and so on into the East Branch, while the waters of 
Little Sourdnahunk Lake eventually find their way into 
the West Branch of the Penobscot. 
Additional interest attaches to this spot from the fact 
that a brook that takes its rise a short distance west flows 
into Telos Lake, formerly on the watershed of the St. John 
Eiver, but now connected by canal with Webster Lake and 
the Penobscot. 
Beyond Thissel Pond the descent is rapid almost all the 
way to Webster Lake. Thissel Brook, which we followed, 
is a tumbling trout stream with steep banks, wooded for 
long stretches with a beautiful growth of beech, maple, 
birch and other hardwoods. Along in the afternoon we 
came out on a bog which extends on both sides of the main 
stream for a mile or more, and which reaches back also 
along tributary streams from east and west. Here we 
jumped a large buck, who went bounding away over the 
brown bog grass in plain sight for some distance. Below 
the dam on Thissel Brook we ran across a moose track 
which had been made probably within an hour, but it was 
growing late and we had no time to spare following it. 
About sunset we sighted Webster Lake through the 
trees and took a short cut across on the ice to the dam. 
Below the dam we found fairl}'^ good walking on the old 
tote road, but the snow was deeper than any we had previ- 
ously encountered. A mile beyond the dam we sighted 
some old deserted lumber camps on a hill above the road, 
and thought at first they were Finch's camps, where we 
expected to spend the night, but we soon discovered our 
mistake. 
For a mile further we plodded along in the darkness 
without sluj encouragement, but at the end of that distance 
we struck a recently traveled road and knew^ we must be 
near our destination. At this point the road crossed 
Webster Brook, an angry-looking rapid stream 60ft. in 
width, and we were uncertain on which side the camp lay. 
We decided to try the south side first, and as luck would 
have it found the camp only a few hundred rods away. 
And never were weary travelers more glad of shelter. The 
Doctor's beard and eyebrows were covered with ice, our 
trousers frozen to board-like stiflness, and our bodies 
chilled by the arctic cold. 
The BlK Buck that didn't Get Away. 
Next morning we got an early start. Finch's Halfway 
Camp is situated on the outlet to Hudson Pond, and a good 
road follows the brook up to the pond, a distance of about 
a mile. The pond is half a mile across and contains 
several rocky islands, on one of which Jock Darling saw a 
caribou last winter. 
He tried to shoot it as it trotted away, but his Bullard 
refused to go oS. How the caribou ever got on the island 
is a puzzle, as its sides are as steep as a church roof where 
they are not perpendicular. 
It was our intention to cross from Hudson Pond directly 
to the burnt lands, which are no great distance ofl' to the 
southeast, without going near the main Blunder Pond (Mr. 
Finch, who has lumbered in this neighborhood, informed 
us that there are at least three small ponds of this name), 
as the country immediatelj^ around the pond is said to be 
very thick and swampy. Accordingly we lay our course a 
little east of south along the side of a hardwood ridge 
where the walking was good. While traveling along this 
ridge we unexpectedly ran directly on to a large buck com- 
ing toward us. We opened fire, and each of us managed to 
get in a couple of shots before he disappeared. Subse- 
quently we found that three of these shots had hit him, 
but unfortunately all had gone low. We followed up his 
trail a short distance, and noting but little blood decided to 
leave him alone for a little while and investigate »n old 
moose trail that we happened on. This led us to a thick 
growth of balsam fir, where we found fresh sign of three 
other moose. 
The moose had evidently gone into winter quarters here, 
for beds and signs of feeding were on all sides. There was 
one large bull among them, bow large I hesitate to say; but 
he had refused to go between trees in places where one 
could almost have driven a team of horses through, and 
Ms track, where the snow had thawed out of it, looked like 
an elephant's. 
The snow was crusty, and it was a practical impossibil- 
ity to get up to a moose in such thick growth, so we re- 
luctantly left the yard, hoping to come back the next day 
if the conditions should be more favorable. 
Taking up the buck's trail, we followed very cautiously, 
and would have succeeded in getting a shot as he rose 
from the spot where he had lain down had it not been for 
an untoward incident, which set him off on the jump. 
Previous to this he had been going west and had carried 
us within hearing of the groaning ice on Blunder Pond, but 
now he started directly down wind in an easterly direction. 
Every step he took in this direction brought him some- 
what nearer our camp on Wadleigh Brook; so after con- 
sultation we decided to follow him up, knowing that, as 
he had our wind, he would keep going as long as he could 
stand. And so we followed along, constantly hoping that 
he would shape his course more to the south, which would 
have suited us exactly. Instead, however, he veered if 
anything more to the north, and led us a long and weary 
chase. It was 9 when we first saw him, and not till 2 that 
afternoon did we get close enough for the coup de grace. 
Meanwhile he had adopted every tactic known to his tribe 
to throw us off his trail, passing through bands of other 
deer, and walking over every piece of bare ground he could 
find. Once he had succeeded in getting eight or ten cari- 
bou to walk all over his trail, so that in places it was com- 
pletely obliterated, but it was easy work to follow it here 
compared to times when it passed over bare places where 
the ground was hard frozen or rocky. 
Successful tracking is largely a matter of elimination, and 
at times the only way a trail can be followed is by consid- 
ering lall possible courses and strik'ug out the less likely 
ones. 
On our way to camp after sunset that night we jumped a 
moose on the edge of some green timber. Below us on the 
hillside we heard a thump, thump, that sounded like some 
one chopping, as he went oft' on a sharp trot. A moment 
later we came across the track, which proved that he was 
a big one. 
It was three hours after dark when we reached camp, 
and we had gone through some vile holes to get there, but 
all was forgotten in the pleasure of the reunion with the 
other members of the party, and the big fire and generous 
supper. J. B. Buenhajm:. 
[to be concluded.] 
NEEDLESS ACCIDENTS. 
Ottawa, Canada. — Edit^ Forest and Stream: It is a pity 
that there is no means of legislating in the direction of 
protecting life and limb from eccentric shooters, who year 
after year add to the already long list of those who meet 
death by accident. 
In the neighborhood from which I am writing three men 
have this season been shot dead at sight, and three others 
severely wounded by shooting companions. In five cases 
these unfortunate people were mistaken for deer, and in 
the sixth a hasty gentleman mistook his friend's game bag 
for a hare, and while literally puncturing the bag distrib- 
uted the- balance of the charge in various parts of his 
friend's body. 
It is unhappily a fact that many of those who carry guns 
and visit woodland and swamp in pursuit of animals and 
birds know little of the use of the weapons they carry or 
of the appearance of what they are pursuing. They are, 
perhaps, also young and excitable, and have just reached 
that condition of nervous eagerness which makes the con- 
clusion easy that anything stirring near is the game they 
are seeking. Hence it is that the tyro from the city goes 
bravely forth in pursuit of deer and later in the day maims 
or kills some relative or friend, and what might have been 
a pleasant outing is suddenly turned into a tragedy. Yet 
these oft-repeated "sad accidents" seem to convey no warn- 
ing, for each succeeding season brings fresh records of the 
doings of these reckless shooters. 
A man in the woods does not look like a deer, a hare, or 
a partridge; but a vivid imagination may regard him as 
being any of these, and then comes the possibly fatal shot. 
For my own part, I confess that a deer to me in the woods 
is a very distinctive object. When I see one I do not mis- 
take it for my friend John Smith, or vice versa; and I have 
no fear that John will suddenly regard me as a buck, and 
tickle me in the back of the neck with his Winchester. 
John is cool, quick, keen-eyed, and a sportsman, and never 
pulls a trigger without good and sufiicient reason. 
Another awful man to meet is he who cares not in what 
direction his loaded gun is pointing. Sometimes it is care- 
fully nursed in the hollow of his left arm, while the muzzle 
is uncomfortably close to the pit of your own stomach; the 
next moment he is behind you "at the trail," and quite 
liable to lodge the charge in the small of your back. I 
never stay long with this kind of shooter, and it is poor con- 
solation to remember that whatever other damage he may 
do the creature rarely shoots himself. 
The class of blundering idiots who "didn't know it was 
leaded" are unfortunately to be found everywhere* produc- 
ing accidents which, while often fatal, are sometimes fan- 
tastic. 
Take, for instance, the case of the man who blew into the 
muzzle of his pistol, at the same time placing a lighted 
match to the nipple. It was, of course, his last experiment, 
as was also that of the gentleman who put a blind shrapnel 
shell into his stove and waited for results. There is, too, 
the brother who snaps what he regards as an empty gun 
at his sister and so sends her to a premature death, and 
thus through scores of needless fatalities caused by people 
who ought never to be allowed to touch firearms is yearly 
told the story of criminal carelessness. Rideau. 
[To which it might be added: For further particulars see 
daily papers. Any day will do.] 
CHICAGO AND THE WEST. 
Death of Charles Kern. 
Jan, 30, — One of the best known figures of Chicago 
sportsmanship passed away on Monday last, Jan. 25. 
After many months of suffering Mr. Charles Kern yielded 
to the disease which had been sapping his life forces and 
passed away quietly at his own home among his family 
and friends, Mr. Kern was twice the president of the 
Illinois State Sportsmen's Association, and was for many 
years president of the Audubon Gun Club, of Chicago, the 
old guard of Chicago sportsmanphip, made up in good part 
of old-time trap-shooters, Mr. Kern was sixty-five years 
of age. He was a native of Bavaria and was eighteen 
years of age when he came to America, He entered early 
into politics, and was only twenty-one years of age when 
he ran for sheriff, being defeated in his campaign. He 
sought further ofl&ces, and in 1890 was elected County 
Treasurer of Cook county. He was a great secret society 
and association man, and had a wide circle of friends. 
He leaves a widow and two children, whose circumstances 
should be comfortable, as Mr, Kern was reputed to be of 
considerable means. 
The Michigan Warden's Work. 
The new Governor of Michigan, Mr. Pingree, has re- 
cently found occasion to criticise the work of the State Fish 
and Game Warden, Mr. Chase S. Oaborn, of Sauit Ste. 
Marie. While not resenting this sharply, Mr. Oiborn finds 
occasion to make reply in the columns of the Detroit TH6- 
une, SB follows: 
" 'I spend halt of my time in the field, the rest of the 
time directing the operations of the deputy wardens from 
my ofl&ce.' 
"During the twenty-three months Mr. O^horn has been 
game warden of Michigan he has investigated 1,800 
reported violations at an average cost of $6 a case; that 
is, Mr. Osborn or his deputies have looked into this num- 
ber of cases. Of the total number there have been 1,007 
cases tried in court, out of which there were between 800 
and 900 convictions. From fines and license fees the 
revenues of the office amounted to $37,000, while the ex- 
penses were only $10,500. 
" 'I claim,' says Mr. Osborn, 'that the work I have done 
has been more than the combined work of any four game 
wardens in the country, and it has been done only by 
hard, conBtaut work. 
" 'As to the showing made by the revenues and the ex- 
penses, I am very proud of it. The first two years of my 
predecessor every case tried cost on an average of ^21, 
while the average cost during his last two years was about 
|22. The average cost of each case during my term of 
office has been $10 40."' 
In Town and Out. 
Mr. W. P. Mussey, of Chicago, who has for some days 
been in the East; New York city and elsewhere, is ex- 
pected to return soon. 
Mr. W. Fred Quimby, of the Empire Target Company, 
and universally tnown in the pporting goods trade, is in 
Chicago this week. Mr. Qaimby has charge of the 
elegant and extensive exhibit of bicycles made by the 
Hunter Arms Co. at the Chicago cycle show this week. 
In this he is assisted by Mr. Alex H. Waud. The Hunter 
exhibit was the rounding up place of a great many sports- 
men during the week. 
Mr. George A. Mosher, of the Syracuse Arms Co., is in 
Cuicago for a few days on a Western business trip. Mr. 
M laher is looking well and as amiable as usual. 
Mr. Louis Erhardt, of Louis Erhardt & Co , Atchison, 
Kans., is in Chicago this week with a large and compre- 
hensive smile. Mr. Erhardt says he would have been glad 
to be at the San Antonio shoot, but is glad he missed the 
blizzard there. He is pleased with the temperature of 
Chicago, which was only 20° below zero this week. 
E, Hough. 
1206 BoTCB BriLDiNO, Chicago, 111. 
The New York Association. 
Lyons, N. Y., Jan. 26. — Editor Forest and Stream: Dear 
Sir — It may be of interest generally that you publish the 
names of those who are to serve on the committees of the 
N. Y. State Association for the Protection of Fish and 
Game for the ensuing year. I therefore take pleasure in 
handing you the list of both the Law and Legislation Com- 
mittee and the Auditing Committee as appointed. 
Legislation and Law Committee — Robert B. Lawrence, 
chairman, 35 Wall street. New York city; Percy S. Lans- 
downe, 735 Mooney Building, Buffalo; C. B. Lapham, Oan- 
andaigua, N. Y.; George R. Peck, Auburn, N. Y.; W. E. 
Huston, Lockport, N. Y. 
Auditing Committee— ¥ . J. Amsden, Rochester, N. Y.; 
Aaron Mather, Honeoye Falls, N. Y.5 Charles Curtis, Au- 
burn, N. Y. 
The Legislation and Law Committee will immediately 
take up the work of pushing the recommendations passed 
at the recent meeting of the Association, and which I be- 
lieve were correctly published in last week's issue of your 
valuable journal. 
We desire the hearty cooperation of all sportsmen 
throughout the State, whether members of the State As- 
sociation or not, in urging prompt legislation along the 
lines set forth in the resolutions by the meeting at Syra- 
cuse. Never before in the history of the Association has 
there been so united a feeling as to what course of action 
should be pursued, and with earnest work on the part of all 
interested much good may be accomplished this winter. 
The Association .strongly demands the abolishment of 
hounding for deer; the abolishment of netting and spear- 
ing in the inland waters of the State; the one open season 
for partridge, woodcock, rabbits and squirrels from Sept. 15 
to Jan. 1; and makes a strong plea against local legislation; 
further than this we earnestly hope that we may secure 
the repeal of Section 249. I know the Forest and Stream 
will do all it can to aid us in the work, and trust that 
every sportsman in this State will take a personal interest, 
and that every member of the Legislature may be impor- 
tuned and brought to see the necessity of right action. Do 
not leave the work for others. There is enough for us all 
to do if we would preserve the game in this State and fur- 
ther the replenishing of the many lakes and streams 
which have all but been depleted through the abuses of 
the past. W. S. Gavitt, Pres. 
Fowl in Hog Island Bay. 
Keller, Va., Jan. 25. — Editor Forest arid Stream: In your 
publication of the 23d inst. I find an inquiry from Mr. 0. 
D. Foulks, Stockton, Md., who asks: "Where are the 
ducks?" It affords me much pleasure to give what light I 
can to our friend in regard to the duck supply in Hog 
Island Bay. Brant and black ducks have been plenty 
there since November till now. We see persons from 
Upshires Neck (which is the mainland boundary of Hog 
Island Bay) almost every day, and are informed by them 
that the bay is swarming with wildfowl to such an extent 
that their sleep is actually disturbed at night by their chat- 
tering. 
In years gone by I shot a great deal in our seacoast 
broadwaters and narrows, and especially in that of Hog 
Island, and under the most adverse circumstance I always 
killed a good bunch of birds everj'- day, while not infre- 
quently our day's shooting would amount to several dollars. 
Since then the chances should be better, as our bays are 
patrolled night and day by police boats to prevent trap- 
ping, night shooting and the use of guns above a certain 
size. I am informed that this regulation is already showing 
its good effects in the increased quantity of birds. 
To secure good shooting, the quantity of birds is not more 
a question than to know their habits — this must be well 
understood. The late William Doughty, of Hog Island, or 
Capt. Nathan Cobb, of Cobb's Island, would always place 
themselves in such a way that the birds were bound to go- 
to them. It is therefore, with shooting men, a matter of 
the first importance to secure practical men as guides. 
We no longer shoot at all ourselves, but will be glad to 
direct sportsmen who may be visiting our shores to good, 
experienced guides. This done, there is no doubt but that 
good results will attend their coming to the eastern shore 
in search of game. T. G. E. 
Monadnock Club. 
The Monadnock Club has been organized to promote in- 
terest in fishing and shooting parties near Mt. Monadnock, 
N. H. The club has acquired grounds on Lake Conto- 
cook and built a club house, which will be open from April 
i to Nov. 1 to its members and visitors. The locality 
affords excellent fishing and shooting. The club numbers 
twenty-five members, and will gladly receive others. 
The oflicers are: James S. Milner, President; Charles D. 
Bete, Vice-President; Frederic W. Bashforde, Treasurer; J. 
Frank Hayes, Secretary; Wm. E. Leake, Captain. Address 
in city, 136 Atlantic avenue, Brooklyn, or East Jaffrey 
N.H. 
