Oct. i, 1898.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
267 
badly over the state of affairs he saw up in that coun- 
try, for it did not seem that the men had any respect 
at all for the law, and cared nothing about keeping their 
game. A few weeks ago I had occasion to chronicle 
the arrest on Deer River of one outfit of skin hunters 
who had been doing a big business, but were rounded 
up. I am not indisposed to believe that after a while 
something may be heard to drop in the vicinity of 
Grand Rapids, in spite of the large talk of the residents. 
Of course, it is not all residents who make this sort 
of talk, but there is a big element of a lawless sort at 
that point or in that vicinity. Yet I have such faith in 
the Minnesota commission that I feel sure this state 
of things will not endure forever. 
One sad thing which these gentlemen discovered in 
the Leech Lake region deserves public advertisement, 
and that is the shameful manner in which the Govern- 
ment timber is being stripped from the Indian reserva- 
tions. Around Winnebegoshish the timber is nearly 
cleaned out over some areas. It seems that the law permits 
the cutting of burned timber under certain restrictions. 
The gentle lumber thief just goes in and burns over a 
section of country, then cuts off the timber, as he may 
"legally" do. Sometimes a little fife is built at the 
foot of a tree sought to be stolen, and its bark singed a 
little. It may then "legally" be cut down. Mr. Mc- 
Cartney and hisjriend came back disheartened by what 
they saw. They* do not wish in the least to make any 
sensational statements, or to give any part of the grand 
State of Minnesota a "black eye," but they_ say all 
these facts are susceptible of easy proof. It is a pity 
they are. 
At Gokey's Town. 
Word from Dawson. N. D., which may more prop- 
erly be designated as Gokey's Town, runs to the effect 
that friend Gokey was out not long ago and caught 
three unlicensed shooters from South Dakota. He -as- 
sessed them properly on the spot and took charge of 
their guns until they shall forward the amount of their 
licenses. In Minnesota the wardens swipe the dogs of 
the sooners, and in Dakota they get the guns. I beg 
to call attention to the fact that the advertising columns 
of the Forest and Stream are an excellent medium for 
the sale of good dogs and guns, if not too much shop 
worn, but I still think I shall first make a trip out 
that way and pick me out a nice dog and gun from 
the Gokey-Fullerton bargain counter. You can get 
them for a dollar thirty-nine up. 
By the way, Warden Bowers, of North Dakota, played 
a low-down trick on two non-residents not long ago. 
He met them on the cars, and talked with them pleas- 
antly, learning that they were coming back from a 
successful hunt. He asked them if they had trouble 
about their licenses, and they laughed at him joyously, 
saying that licenses might be paid by others, but by 
themselves never at all. Then the State warden pulled 
his card, and they concluded that they would loosen 
$25 each. Don't think, because a man is smiling, that 
he is necessarily not a warden. 
At Dawson this week there are several parties from 
the East, among these Mr. J. R. Moore, Mr. J. D. 
Wright and Mr. Thompson, of New York -city; Mr. J. 
N. Paterson, of Philadelphia, and Mr.' C. D. Raymond, 
of Chicago, all of whom are said to be finding good 
sport. E. Hough. 
1200 Boyce Building, Chicago, 111. 
Vermont Game Conditions* 
North Ferrisburg, Vt. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
On looking over Mr. Hough's letter in Forest and 
Stream of Sept. 17 I find that he brings up a point which 
I have always claimed, that to shoot at ducks before 
sunrise or after sunset • drives them from the feeding 
grounds, and that even the market-shooter will, not 
allow it to be done if he can help it. 
I find from observation and from local sportsmen that 
for some years our promise for a little sport in duck 
shooting at migratory birds has not "been as good as 
the present one. The water on our marshes being very 
low, and the wild oat crop far above the average, give 
a sufficient guarantee that the ducks would be glad 
to tarry with us for a time on their way to 
their Southern home. But the booming of guns 
on these marshes may be heard at most any 
night from 4 to 9 P. M., and the echo has hardly died 
away before the morning shooting begins; and I wonder 
if we are on a par with the pot-hunter to allow it to go 
on. Why not follow the teaching of Forest and Stream 
and help a good thing along by putting in a good, solid 
plank in the platform, by stopping the sale of game? 
We find in the few days since open season on ruffed 
grouse began that this year is like the past few years 
in that this finest of all game birds is growing less; and 
going over some of the covers which in former years 
were well stocked we listen in vain for the whir of wings. 
The reasons for this are plain: First, illegal shooting 
before open season. Second, we find partridges on the 
market in nearly all the cities and villages of the State. 
Only two years ago the markets in a certain village were 
so oversupplied at 50 cents per pair that shipments were 
made to the two principal cities of the State. 
I would like to ask the members of the Vermont 
League if this means protection. Since the game league 
of this State was organized I fail to know of any case 
being prosecuted for illegal shooting -in this town. Still 
Ave have nearly every year been given a warden to pro- 
tect the fish and game interests here. But he has gener- 
ally proved himself a "sooner" or used his commission 
as a shield to cover his own shortcomings, and has 
proved of little benefit. 
I think that all honest sportsmen are with me in hoping 
that when the lawmakers meet this fall they will grind 
out a law that will prohibit night shooting and the 
marketing of game, or else repeal all laws relating to the 
protection of fish and game, giving all men an equal 
chance while the small supply lasts.. Ferris. 
Headers are invited to sendvs the names of friends who 
might be interested in a current copy of the Foeebt and 
Stream. We shall be glad to forward a specimen number 
to anyperson whose address may l ( e furnished MS for that 
purpose. 
Notes from New Brunswick. 
Sept. 20. — A very orderly but businesslike mob is now 
parading the main street of Fredericton. It is simply 
the .30-30 men lining up for the liquids. Judge Downs, 
of Stamford, Conn., has just arrived from McKiel Brook 
Lake, where he gathered in a big bull moose, which 
had a Sain, spread of horns, with the .30-30 at a distance 
of 250yds. The judge remarks that this life is almost 
too good for poor people. With the judge on the trip 
was Mr. G. C. Blickensderfcr, also of Stamford. They 
had as chief guide William Griffin, of Stanley. They 
went into the woods Sept. 6, and have brought out two 
moose and a bear. Fourteen moose in all were seen 
on the hunt. Also a number of caribou, but none with 
the requisite quality of horns. 
The people who believe that a quick-firing cannon is 
about the right thing for a bull moose are now in posi- 
tion to receive liquid nourishment at the expense of those 
who believe in the small bore. Up to a very recent date 
the well-known guide Adam Moore, of Scotch Lake, 
was a very eloquent defender of the .30-30 for big game. 
He had a right to his opinion, based upon the fact that 
last December he knocked down two caribou with one 
shot from the little weapon. But in these latter days 
we hear earthquake rumblings from the vicinity of Bald 
Mountain on the Tobique. It is Adam changing his 
mind. Writing the other day to a sportsman in this 
city, Mr. Moore remarks: "Be sure and bring the big- 
gest gun you can find. Get the Maxim at the barracks 
if possible. We put thirteen shots from the .30-30 into 
a bull with a 5ft. head and it only made him happy." 
Notwithstanding their experience with this bullet-proof 
monster, Adam's people seem to have had fine luck. 
They consisted of George F. White, A. Camman and 
another gentleman, all of New York. They brought out 
two moose, and one of the best caribou heads that has 
been taken for years on the Tobique. 
Mr. Charles Reardon has just returned from a trip 
with Arthur Pringle on the Nor'west Miramichi. The 
season was almost too early for successful hunting 
on the barrens, but Mr. Reardon managed to bring 
down a very large caribou, which he prizes very highly 
as a trophy of the trip. He will return in November for 
a still-hunt on the snow. 
Senator Baird and two sons, of Perth Centre, had a 
very successful hunt on the head of Tobique. They ac- 
cumulated two moose and narrowly escaped a third. 
John G. Prouty, of Spencer, Mass., who has been 
hunting for two weeks on the head of Cain's River with 
Arthur Evans as guide, had a fleeting glimpse of the 
moose that belonged to him, but there was something 
wrong with the time-table and Mr. Prouty was unable 
to connect. In a personal note Mr. Prouty says: "I 
had a very good trip in some respects, but no hunting 
luck, only seeing one bull moose, and he 400yds. away 
at 7 o'clock in the evening, when too dark to get him. 
Arthur and Dick Evans did all they were able, working 
as hard as any men could, and it was no. fault of theirs 
that we did not get the game, but simply hunters' luck. 
We saw plenty of signs, and Arthur said it looked as if 
when the moon came full the chances would be good." 
Dr. E. Morrison and Fred Morrison, of Northwest 
Territory, have left for their Western home, after a three 
weeks' cruise in the Temiscouata region. They had fine 
fishing and secured several caribou and deer. 
A postal card coming by bob-sled express from the 
head of Little River announces that Mr. Charles Ran- 
dolph, of this city, who has W. H. Allen, of Peuniac, 
as guide, has secured his moose. The party saw five 
moose and thirteen caribou in ten days. Mr. Allen's 
next party will be Mr. J. H. Ehrich, of New York, 
who is due here Oat. 3. 
Fully twice as* many American sportsmen are here this 
fall as" last. They are mostly readers of Forest and 
Stream, who have figured out for themselves when and 
where to go. It is hardly to be wondered at that some 
of them fail to secure their game. It is not much use 
to come to New Brunswick after moose if the sportsman 
has only a week or two at his disposal. As the old In- 
dian guide used to say: "Sartin, if you want moose 
vou got to hang!'" . , 
A party of New York sportsmen, consisting of bamuel 
P Blagden, Jr.. Crawford Blagden and J. G. Forbes, 
emerged from the wilderness to-day, after a stay of about 
three weeks on the Sisters Lakes. Their guide was Edward 
Norred. of Boiestown. They brought out two fine moose 
heads. The largest, having a spread of 52m. and palms 
15m. wide, fell to Mr. Samuel Blagden. The other was 
a' "combination" moose, in whose demise all hands 
took a lively part, the chief honors of the affray falling to 
Crawford Blagden. Seven shots from the .30-30 in the 
head, neck and shoulders were required to bring down 
this moose. The American sportsmen, who are coming- 
out with their trophies these days, are about as happy 
as the law allows. Their genial and sportsmanlike qual- 
ities make them immensely popular with all classes. 
Messrs. A. Weed and J. D. Foote have returned from 
a short hunting trip in the Rocky Brook .Lake region. 
Thev had as guides Tom Craig, of Stanley, and the well- 
known expert "caller" Ed. Church, of Shirley, Me. Both 
Mr. Weed and Mr. Foote had some exciting experiences 
with bull moose. One moose was called up on the 
nio-ht of the T2th, but got away, though twelve shots were 
distributed in his vicinity. Mr. Weed called up an 
immense moose on the 15th and struck him three times 
with a 40-82 (smokeless), and wounded him severely, but 
lost him, though the animal was trailed for some distance 
by the guides. . 
"E. N. Graham, of Godalming, England, Henry^Braith- 
waite's first party, has just emerged from the Crooked 
Deadwater, where he shot a fine moose and a remarkably 
large caribou. 
Word has been received from Major Hallowes. who 
lg now in Braithwaite's country, under the guidance of 
Tom Pringle. The Major went in last week and has 
alreadv bagged a nice caribou. 
The only report thus far received from the Canaan 
country is that of a moose shot by George Heyss, of 
New York, who had as chief guide Cyrus Kierstead, of 
Fork Stream, one of the most efficient hunters in that 
locality. This moose had a horn spread of 45m. 
Three exceptionally massive and perfect caribou heads 
arrived in St. John mi Friday, Two of these came 
from an American party piloted by John Conn ell. of 
Bartibogue; the third was shot on upper St. John 
waters by J. J. Hale, of Woodstock. 
Mr. S. L. Crosby, the Bangor taxidermist, has al- 
ready received this season one head from New Bruns- 
wick with a spread of 6oin. This moose was shot on 
the Restigouche. I have not been able as yet to learn the 
name of the fortunate sportsman. 
Frank H. Rtstee'n, 
The Repeating Shotgun. 
There is a class of sportsmen that always say "If you 
do not use the implements of sport that I do. you are 
anathema!". If 3 r our rod weighs an ounce or two more 
than theirs, your line runs a strand heavier or you shoot 
a twelve where they favor a sixteen gauge gun, you are 
either no sportsman or e^ha ore of n If-mif order and to 
be viewed at all times with grave suspicion. 
Under ordinary circums.ancLS iliis oass of arbitrary 
bigots might well be dismissed with the same scant con- 
sideration that was accorded the voluminous eloquence 
of the "New Issue Darkey" who had denounced an 
"old-timer" with thunderous and high sounding in- 
vectives. 
"Is you done?" said the old man. 
"Yes!" was the reply. 
"Then, suh," said he with slow deliberation, "all them 
things what you call me you is." 
The unqualified and sweeping denunciation of the man 
who uses a repeating shotgun is one of the most 
prevalent forms of displaying this uncharitable spirit by 
the would-be dictators, who find themselves so situated 
that the principle of domestic economy does not in- 
fluence them in selecting a shotgun. 
They base their arguments on a false theory entirely, 
apparently believing that the repeater is necessarily the 
weapon of the sportsman with questionable ethics, or 
pot-hunter. That this is by no means the case any fair 
minded devotee of the gun can testify. There are other 
circumstances, besides the mere question of taste, that 
men should and do consider when buying a gun. It is 
the man and not the gun that must be classified. As an 
anti-bicycle Englishman said to a friend just returned 
from the wilds of Africa, who was much interested in 
his first view of a bicycle, and asked 'what made it go 
at such terrific speed, "It is the d fool on it." 
So it : t the breed of the hunter and not the brand of 
the gun that makes the sportsman, or the reverse. 
The $20 pump gun,- carried by hunters in jeans and 
brogans, has committed much crime in the name of 
sport; but the $300 double gun carried by dudes in im- 
ported corduroys and moose hide boots has committed 
more. 
Private cars have hauled more shooters afield who 
presumed on their elegant outfits to commit outrages 
than ever were committed by reason of the opportunities 
afforded by the facilities of the inexpensive repeaters. 
You cannot change a hog's nature by curling his hair 
and polishing his hoofs; nor can you change the in- 
stincts of a man by changing his gun. 
You can trust a gentleman, arm him with what you 
please, and there are many of them that shoot the repeat- 
ing shotgun. • It is not the gun that a real lover of 
guns would prefer for sport, had he unlimited means 
and nothing to consider but his inclination in making a 
selection. A good double-barreled gun. of any standard 
make, is to be preferred to any pump gun, by the man 
who hunts for sport and regards his morals: but for the 
man of limited means, who will not be satisfied with an 
uncertain shooter, the pump is a great blessing. The 
writer has used one occasionally for the past few years 
and can truthfully say that it has not been a source of 
demoralization. 
For the amount invested, it has given the best re- 
sults of anv gun he ever bought. It is the gun that is 
"reached down" whenever anv extra hard long-distance 
work is wanted, and it does it well. When he feels justi- 
fied in replacing it with a high grade double, he will do 
so; but until that time comes he will go right on shoot- 
ing it and shocking the delicate and highly organized 
nervous systems of those effete sportsmen — many of 
whom left to their own resources could not afford even 
a pump gun — who think that opportunity is the sole 
demoralizer of the sportsman. Shoot the best gun you 
can afford to own, boys; but do not indulge in sweeping 
denunciations of those who do not agree with you as to 
which that is; or who cannot afford as fine grade as 
yourselves. Lewis Hopkins. 
A Maine Center for Fish and Game. 
Trinity College, Sept. 12. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
During the month of August and the first week of Sep- 
tember I fished on Big Fish Lake, Aroostook county. 
Me. Although my luck was variable. I can say that the 
lake fully lived up to its name. The largest trout I 
caught weighed 3j41bs., while my guide caught one that 
weighed 4lbs. Parmachenee-belle seemed to be the fa- 
vorite all-round fly, and was always on my leader. With 
bait you were almost always sure of a good string of 
small fish, with an occasional large one. The best lot 
caught on the lake during July and August consisted 
of eleven fish, total weight 25lbs. At any "time it was 
possible to get 150 trout in the brooks, averaging perhaps 
40Z. The supply was apparently inexhaustible. We 
never caught any more fish than we used on the table, 
and threw the rest back, including all the small ones. 
Big game was plentiful. One evening after a hot day, 
while paddling along a mile and a half of the shore, I 
counted eighteen deer. We saw only two caribou, but 
in the back country tracks were fairly thick. Moose 
were much in evidence, and in the same "bogan" we 
saw eight moose at different times during our stay. In 
the country toward the Musquaycook Lakes the guides 
reported moose very thick. 
Tom Bennett, who, with Fred McNally, runs a camp 
on Moose Point, has certainly a genius for cooking, 
and I never lived better in my life than when he was 
catering. Chas. M. Sutherland, better known as Plum, 
and Fred McNally were our guides, and' deserve the 
high reputation they already possess, W. McA, J, 
