466 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
Pec, 11, 1897. 
in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the south At- 
lantic." 
The ninety hunters employed by Mr. Wetzel some are paid 
regular salaries, but they are trustworthy men who have 
been shooting for the market, or "pot-hunting," as it is called, 
for years . Most of the men ai'e paid so much per head for 
game, or receive the proceeds of the sales less commissions 
and expenses. 
Fremont Houston, a celebrated shof and all-round woods- 
man living at El Dorado, Kan,, is one of the best and most 
successful hunters in Mr. Wetzel's employ. He leaves this ' 
week for the hunting grounds in the Indian Territory, where 
game of all kinds is very abundant this season. He will 
spend the winter shooting in the Territory. Another of the 
successful hunters is Charles Wolf, of Clearwater, Neb He 
pots any amount of praide chickens yearly for the St. Louis 
market, and is one of the best shots in America on prairie 
chickens. 
J.A. Abrams, of Arkansas, the celebrated "pump-gun 
shot," Mr. Wetzel would back against any duck hunter m 
America. Abrams is a typical Arkansas hunter, and would 
put to shame any velvet- coated sportsman in a half-hour's 
work among the ducks. He shoots a repeating shotgun, 
and can pump five loads of shot into a bunch of ducks every 
time they fly over him, and he never gets leas than five 
ducks. 
But Mr. Wetzel has never heard of Jake Qntreiner — a big, 
raw-boned, chills-and-fever German, who lives in the marsh 
in Mobile Bay, and who raises children and "truck," and 
shoots ducks in the winter. The wild celery that grows in 
the fresh-water lagoons around Mobile Bay makes that one 
of the finest duck-shooting places in the country. 
Down there ducks are hunted so much they become edu- 
cated to their danger. They keep out of range of the 
deadly blinds behind which are men with guns in boats, and 
they can tell the wooden decoys aa far off as they see them 
bobbing on the water. 
The ducks roost on the water at night in great numbers, 
and feed at the first break of day. Untreiner rigged up a 
pirouge, a narrow boat made from a hollowed log, for a 
crusade against the ducks. He fixed a sweep from the stern, 
and rigged up a 6-bore- specially manufactured double-bar- 
reled shotgun on swivels in the bow. 
By stretching himself full length in the bottom of this 
boat he drifted with the tide down on the ducks. He had 
no difficulty in steering his boat with a foot through a loop 
on the handle of the sweep. His boat looked like a log 
floating down in the night and, as it was noiseless, he had 
no difficulty in getting within range. Where he saw a 
blacker surface on the black water there the ducks were. 
Without moving he aimed his howitzer and fired one barrel. 
In an instant, as the unkilled or unmaimed ducks arose, 
the other barrel was let go. In the morning Untreiner 
picked up ninety-two dead ducks. He doesn't know how 
many gars and other fish pulled down. 
The hunter got two shots at the ducks every night that 
season, and they became such a drug on the market that 
they brought but two bits a pair. For a year or two after 
that ducks were scarce in Mobile Bay. 
BLACK RIVER ASSOCIATION. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
The annual meeting of the Black Eiyer Fish and Game 
Protective Association was held this evening. W. E. Wol- 
cott, Secretary of the Association, presented his annual 
report, which was as follows: 
The members of our Association, in common with all 
other advocates of wise and efficient protection for our for- 
ests, flish and game, have reason to feel exceedingly well 
satisfied with what has been accomplished in this direction 
during the past year. To those who have labored so long 
and unceasingly for the preservation of the Adirondack 
wilderness, and so earnestly urged that the State should 
own that entire region, it is particularly gratifying to know 
that the Commonwealth now holds title to over 200,000 
acres more land there than it did seven months ago. 
At the last session of the Legislature $1,000,000 was ap- 
propriated for the purchase of lands within the boundaries 
of the Adirondack State Park, and a commission known as 
the Forest Preserve Board was appointed by Gov. Black to 
take the matter in charge. The board consists of Lieut.- 
Gov. Woodruff, State Engineer Adam^ and Forest Com- 
missioner Babcock, and by their prompt, energetic and dis- 
creet action the members have demonstrated to the pub- 
lic the wisdom of the Governor's selection. With the 
funds at its disposal the board has purchased 220,000 acres 
of land in the Adirondacks, much of which is worth far 
more than the prices paid, and will probably increase this 
to a quarter of a million acres by the time the balance of 
the appropriation is expended. It is expected that the 
next Legislature will be asked to appropriate another mil- 
lion dollars for the same purpose, and it is earnestly hoped 
that it will do so. 
The action of the last Legis]3.ture in prohibiting the 
hunting of deer with jack-lights or with dogs for a period 
of five years meets with the hearty^ approval of all true 
sportsmen. Owing to the greatly increased number of 
hunters, the Adirondack deer were being rapidly depleted 
under the old law, and to prevent their utter extermina- 
tion the only alternative seemed to be to stop the most 
destructive methods of killing them. At the annual meet- 
ing of the Black Eiver Association three years ago it was 
decided to recommend to the New York State Association 
an amendment to the game laws abolishing both floating 
and hounding, and we have never ceased to advocate it. 
The State Association received the suggestion with favor 
and accorded it cordial support. 
The Legislature of 1896 scored a point for protection by 
limiting the time for the use of jack-lights to the first fif- 
teen days of September, and hounding to the first fifteen 
days of October; but it was left to the Legislature of 1897 
to administer the knockout blow to deer butchery by 
enacting the absolutely prohibitory law mentioned, by 
which jacking and dogging are made illegal for five years. 
This is a victory over which the friends of protection may 
well feel exultant. We believe that the wisdom of this 
law will become more and more apparent as time passes, 
and that before the five years have elapsed there will be a 
stronger sentiment m favor of its renewal than there was 
for its original enactment. 
For 'Several years the season in which deer could be 
legally killed has commenced on Aug. 15. Our Association 
. has favored shortening the season by cutting off the first 
fifteen days, but this step has been opposed by some, who 
^rgue that many visiwrs to the Adirgadacks would thus 
be debarred from hunting, as their vacation period closes 
on or about Sept. 1. There are strong arguments in favor 
of it, hgwever, and there is good authority for the state- 
ment that deer should not be killed until after the middle 
of September. 
Buffed grouse, or partridges, as they are commonly 
known, have been exceedingly scarce in central and 
northern New York this fall. Now and then one hears of 
a sportsman who has succeeded in killing a few old birds, 
but young birds are seldom, if ever, seen. This fact is 
attributed to the cold, wet weather which prevailed dur- 
ing the nesting period this year, and which it is thought 
prevented the eggs from hatching, or proved too severe 
for the fledgelings. Woodcock continue to decrease in num- 
bers year by year, and their animated and animating 
whistle is no longer heard in many of their old-time 
haunts. They are migratory birds, and the protection 
afforded them in New York State is inadequate to prevent 
their becoming extinct if they are so mercilessly slaugh- 
tered in the South as they have been in the past. 
At the annual meeting of the State Association, held in 
Syracuse last winter, your secretary addressed the conven- 
tion on the subject of forest protection, read an original 
poem entitled "The Lumberman's Bequest," which was 
heartily applauded, and oflfered the following resolution, 
which was unanimously adopted: 
Resolved, That the New York State Association for the Protection 
of Fish and Game hereby signifies its hearty approval of past legisla- 
tive enactments which have enabled the Htate to obtain title to Ad- 
irondack lands, establish a fore.st preserve, and protect the timber 
thereon. It strongly urges the Senate and Assembly to take such 
further action along this line as in their judgment may be most ex- 
pedient, with a view to the ultimate acquirement oC the whole wilder- 
ness region. It is our bellpf that in the future purchase of lands in 
the Adirondacks special efforts should be made to secure title to the 
watersheds of the State reservoirs 
As has been our CT:^tom for several years past, the Black 
River Association made application to the State Commis- 
sioners of Fisheries, Game and Forests this year for 200,000 
brook trout fry for the purpose of stocking Oneida county 
waters. Although unable to allow us the full number 
asked for, the Commissioners granted us the finest lot of 
infant fish that has ever been received for distribution in 
central New York, and our thanks have been expressed 
to them and to Superintendent of Hatcheries Annin for 
their courtesy. The fish arrived on June 11 last from the 
Caledonia hatchery, and the shipment included twenty 
cans or 1,000 yearling brook trout, twenty cans or 
50,000 brook trout fry, and thirty cans or 75,000 brown 
trout fry. These were taken in charge by members of our 
Association immediately upon their arrival at the several 
points where they were to be . distributed, and carefully 
deposited in the different waters. The apportionment 
made was as follows: For streams in the town of Marcy, 
five cans of yearling trout and five cans of brook trout fry; 
for Holland Patent, Trenton and Remsen, each five cans 
of yearlings, five cans of brook trout fry and ten cans of 
brown trout fry. 
A few weeks ago notice was received from thfe State 
Association that suggestions regarding changes in the 
game laws should be forwarded to R. B. Lawrence, chau'- 
man of the legislative and law committee, not later than 
Nov. 20, and your secretary sent the following: 
1. Making the open season for partridges, woodcock and black and 
gray squirrels begin Sept. 15 and end Nov. 15. 
2. ProhlbiCing the sale of speckled trout and game killed in this 
State. 
3. If it can be done constitutionally, prohibit the ownmg or harbor- 
ing of dogs of the breed commonly used for huntine deer for a term 
of four years from June 1, 1898, within the limits of the Adirondack 
State Park or in other forests which deer inhabit. The amendment 
should be to section ii of the game laws, we presume, the prohibited 
period to correspond with the term speciBeO therein when said dogs 
shall not be permitted to run at large in forests inhabited by deer. 
4. Allowing ten days for the possession of venison after the deer 
shooting season closes. 
The report of the secretary was adopted, as was also 
that of Treasurer H. A. Pride, which showed the Associa- 
tion to be in a sound condition financially. 
The following resolution, was adopted: 
Resolved, That it is the sen.se of this Association that the boards of 
pupervisors of the several counties of the State should have the power 
to enact such laws regula,ting hunting and Ashing in their respective 
counties as may not conflict with the game laws of New York State. 
The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: 
President, John W. Hicks; vice-president, Simeon R. Ful- 
ler; secretary, W. E. Wolcott; treasurer, H. A. Pride; di- 
rectors, George G. Ohassell, Simeon R, Fuller, H. A. Pride, 
William P. Dodge, W. E, Wolcott, John H. Williams, 
Benjamin Saunders; delegates to the State sportsmen's 
convention, Messrs. Pride and Wolcott. 
W, E. AVoLcoiT. 
Utica, N. Y., Dec. 8. 
THE NEW BRUNSWICK SEASON. 
A St. John (N. B.) Telegraph reporter the other day called 
on Chief Game Commissioner L. T. Knight and learned 
some interesting facts. So far this season has been the most 
successful, both in revenue to the Government and game to 
the hunters, who have had a glorious time with large game, 
while the partridge has been very scarce — the reason given 
by experienced sportsmen is because of rainstorms last fall, 
and in the spring the young birds and the eggs were de- 
stroyed. From the line at Madawaska to this county com- 
paratively few partridge were found. 
Mr. Knight says large game is increasing all through the 
Province, and a great deal more interest is being taken in 
the game both by the native guides and tbe average business 
men. In localities where hunting parties have set out for 
game the storekeepers have greatly felt the benefit of the 
cash purchases made of them. At one time on the Tobique 
this season such an interest was taken in hunting that the 
guides and canoes were all in use, and a late comer could not 
get either. The moose are gradually working their way 
southward, and are extending all over ibe lower end of the 
Province, and the caribou are doing the same. 
Places where these animals have not been in any numbers 
for the last thirty years they have been quite plentiful this 
fall. The caribou are to be found in gooflly numbers in cer- 
tain sections this season. Deer are also very plentiful in the 
lower end of the Province, but are not found so plent-fully 
an the north. 
American sportsmen ar:- almost in utter iguorance of the 
vast amount of hunting to be had in New Brunswick, and 
the country needs a great deal more advertising in that re- 
spect. 
Qaeens county Mr. Knight considers one of the finest 
counties in New Brunswick for mooae hunting, and it is only 
about four or five hoars' ride from this city to the moojse- 
hunting grounds. Here can be found James F. Ryder, of 
Hunter's Home, and Syras Kierstead, of Fork Stream, two 
noted guides and strong supporters of the game laws. The 
hunting grounds can he reached quite easily — steamer in the 
early season and bv rtilway all the year. The county war- 
dens for Queens are H. 0. Branscnmbe, of Cumberland Bay, 
and Special Warden S. E. McDonald, of Cherry Vale. 
Both are very attentive oflacers in every respect 
and a credit to the Province. The county war- 
dens in other counties are as follows; Restigouche 
county, Mr. J. S. Bassett; Gloucester county, William Gray, 
.Jr.; Northumberland county, WiUiam Wise; Special War- 
den, R.H.Armstrong; Westmoreland county, C R. Oulton; 
Kent county, H. Bertha; Carleton county, P. Corbett; Char 
lotte county, W. F. Todd; Special Warden, Samuel Orr; 
Kings county. 0 R Arnold; Madawaska, Miltou Dayton; 
Sunbury, S. T. Burpee; William Johnson, Special Warden; 
Victoria, Asa Marston; York, Frank Bird; also S. L. 
Tracey, Tracey Station; York county, W. H. Foster, North 
Lake; Alvin Stitham, Canterbury; Samuel McDonald, 
Cberryvale, Queens county. 
The following is a list of the licenses sold up to Oct. 81 
this season ; 
NON KBSIDEJiT DTCENSHS. 
Crown land oiBce, Frederlcton S6 
Northumberland county , 10 
£dmunston 15 • 
Andover 18 
Pestigouche county . , , : ,> ■ 1 
St, John county , 3 
76 
RESIDENT LICENSES. 
Queens county., , •.. 28, 
St. John county nl 
Kestigouche county ••••• ^ 
Andover , , ,,, • .i.'ii i.i • ■•.>.t.. 
Madawaska i . ^ i .... s i ...... i ..>....■ > " 
Crown lands department, Frederioton. , t.i 16 , 
Northumberland county 9 
Total 121 
REOETPrS TOR LXCENSBS W 10 PATE. 
York county ..,,.>i.>t*'«.w $^80 
Victoria county 4*0 
Queens county ...... , By 
Restigouche county . >..., i, 
St John county ., 143 
Northumberland county ....^..t........ .•!•'<••• *}8 
Madawaska county , >..,<,•'•••■• ^1^ 
Gloucester county ; .. , >,^i.ii>i* 
Total $1,913 
In regard to fines and penalties the following brief state- 
ment will give a fair idea : 
In September, 1896, H. M. Cburch, of New Bedford, 
Mass., killed a bull moose in Queens county without having 
taken out a license. The head of the animal was a beauty, 
and at the time was spoken of by the TelegTapIi. The head 
was seized, and brought $120 at auction. The head was 
sent to Frederioton, and from the capital was sent to Bisley 
Cottage, London, England, where it is now admired as it 
adorns the walls of the Canadian cottage. 
Early in September, this season, two quarters of a cow 
moose were seized in Hammond's stall in the city market. 
The meat was shipped to this city by Mr. McKnight, of 
Havelock, and on inquiry of McKnight the latter Qlaimed tO: 
have got it from a man named Alward, of Canning. The 
meat was sold for $8. Action was taken against Alward 
before Justice Roberts at Cody, Queens county, and Alward 
was fined $100 and costs of $44 The fine was allowed to 
stand, and he paid the costs. 
Dr. U. S. Rainsford, of New York, killed a cow moose in 
Restigouche county, and claimed to have done it by accident, 
stating that he was ignorant of the fact of the animal being! 
a cow moose, and on notification he paid a fine of $100. 
Fred. Manuel, John Curry. Arthur Everett and Arthur 
Allingham, of Woodstock, were brought before Police 
Magistrate Dibblee on complaint of shooting moose without 
a license, and a fine of $20 each was imposed, but allowed to 
stand, while they paid the court charges. 
Two boys were arrested for shooting ducks on Sunday a1 
Mc Adam, 'on Nov. 1, and a fine of $30 was allowed to stand 
pending future good conduct. 
Thomas S. Larette, of Gampbellton, was convicted of killing 
three bull moose and one cow in October, and was fined $10{ 
for the cow and $20 for the three bulls, with coats of courtj 
Several cases are still unsettled, and charges are to be madt 
to close up the year. 
On tbe Northwest Miramichi River, June 38, a moose was 
seen swimming about the river. A number of men turned 
out, and with guns, axes and stones cruelly butchered tht; 
animal. 
As a result Messrs. Keating, McLean, Scott and two mei 
named Jones were reported. One of the Joneses, McLear 
and Keating pleaded guilty and were fined $50 and costs, 
each 
Chief Commissioner Knight has been very busj;^ this seasoi 
and is quite proud of the season's work as far aa it has gone 
and hopes for a far better season next year. He speaks in th( 
highest manner of the diflrerent wardens throughout the 
Province, all having been very attentive to their duties. Mr 
Knight has a large number of very kind letters from Amer- 
ican sportsmen who have corresponded with him in regaro 
to game. — Si. John Telegraph, Nov. 29. 
IOWA ITEMS. 
NKViUJA, la., Dec. 1.— Editor Forest and Stream: Tbt 
chicken hunting in central Iowa was not as good as usua. 
this year, although the prospects last spring were flattering 
but for some reason the young birds were scarce when the 
season opened. The prairie chickens here have not onl 
the "sooner" to contend with, but their natural enemie 
the mink, hawks and crows, seem to be increasing in nunfl 
ber. The low price tov mink fur for years past has been tb 
best kind "of protection for tbis savage little beast. Crows, 1 
believe, are one of the worst game exterminators we have. 
A farmer told me a short time ago of an incident whicl 
came under his own observation. He had discovered t 
prairie chicken's nest iu the field where he was plowing, anq 
had plowed around the nest in order to spare it. One after^ 
noon, while working near the house, he discovered a crow 
circhns around over the chicken's nest, cawing loudly. Ii 
a few moments the crow alighted, and dropping his work 
the farmer went directly toward the nest. When he came 
within a short distance of it the crow flew away. Investiga 
tion proved that the crow had broken every egg in the nest 
Did the crow, by his continual cawing, scare the chicken of 
her nest? And how many chicken eggs are every year dej 
stroyed by the thousands of crows in this vicinity? Thegf 
are questions which naturally arise. 
A friend and myself made a ten days' trip to northSrcJ 
