■OY. 5. 1808.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
369 
Plum Island boys were considerably disappointed on 
their trip there last week. Mr. L. W. de Pass says that, 
there were plenty of coot flying, and even on the water, 
hut not within gunshot, while the water was too rough 
each day to go out in a boat. They will try again very 
.soon, The Gloucester, Rockport and Annisquam gun- 
ners have not obtained great numbers of coot thus far, 
but November is the month for duck shooting at those 
locations. Reports from Chatham and all the south 
shore say that it has been an off week for duck shoot- 
ing, owing to rain and high winds. Still some good 
bags have been made S. Nickerson and party, of 
Chatham, got twenty-eight birds in one morning last 
week. Boston sportsmen at the Rogers' Camp, at 
Orange, are reported to have lately taken over forty 
black ducks. The lower section of Cape Cod is covered 
with gunners. The railroad people say that the baggage 
car of nearly every train is crowded with hunters and 
spurting dogs. Some quail and partridge are obtained, 
but the birds are scarcely more than one for each 
sportsman. 
To the list of successful Maine big game hunters 
may be added R. H. Nickerson, Boston, two deer; 
C. E. Harrison. Pawtucket, R. I., one moose, 
from Northeast Carry: R. L. Lufkin, Gloucester, 
Mass., two deer, from Patten; C W. Whitman, of 
Troy. N. Y.. and C, A. Hubbard, Newton, Mass,, 
one deer each, from near Katahdin Iron Works; Geo. 
H. Houltham, Lynn, Mass., one moose, from the Katah- 
din Mountains; E. C. A. Becker, of Worcester, Mass., 
one moose, from the West Branch; Fred Hubbard, East 
Berlin. Conn., John Towne, of Amherst. Mass., and J. 
N. Ackerman, of Worcester, Mass., two deer each, one 
a beautifully mottled and spotted buck; Mrs. S. Boothby, 
Portland, Me., one deer, actually shot by herself; E. L. 
Millctt, of Beverly. Mass.. one moose and two deer, from 
the Aroostook River; Mr. Garrison Reed, wife and 
son, Boston, two deer, from Katahdin Iron Works re- 
gion; R. Brooks, Newport. R. L, two deer, from Pratt 
Lake; J. W. Penniman, H. A. Penniman and E. A. 
Snow, two deer each, from the region of Bowlin Falls, 
Last Branch, Special. 
" Hitting vs. Missing." 
"Hitting vs. Missing" is the title of a new work 
written by Mr. S. T. Hammond (Shadow), author of 
''Training vs. Breaking," "Nursing vs. Dosing," etc., this 
one being the third of the "Versus" series from his pen, 
all of which are published by the Forest and Stream 
Publishing Company. 
Mr. Hammond is a master of the shotgun in theoretical 
and practical field work, but writes entirely from the 
standpoint of the man behind the gun. He gives minute 
directions in the necessary elementary schooling for the 
novice, and there is also much sage advice of value, both 
to expert and beginner. 
The work contains 170 pages, which are subdivided 
into ten chapters, which treat respectively of "Choosing 
the gun," "The All-Round Gun," "Ammunition," "Load- 
ing Shells, ' "Practice at a Mark," "Practice at a Moving- 
Mark," "Shooting Companions," "Among the Birds," 
"Skipping Stones and Flying Birds" and "In the Field." 
Besides the practical information which abounds 
throughout the work, there are delightful reminiscent 
veins. The peculiar idiosyncrasies of shooters are well 
illustrated in an aneedcte of a Western experience which 
he relates in Chancer X. 
"My friend, Mr. J. M. Cannon, one of the lumber 
kings of the West, and myself were shooting chickens 
near Davenport, la., when we saw this man some dis- 
tance away also hunting chickens, but without a dog. 
Mr. Cannon was acquainted with him, and proposed that 
we go over and invite him to join us, adding that he 
thought he could show me something in the way of 
shooting that would please me. Thankfully accepting 
our invitation, he informed us that there was a scattered 
covev near us that he had been unable to find, and the 
dogs were at once sent on, and in a short time both of 
them were on point. As we went to them, our friend 
was given the post of honor, while we took position on 
each flank. Now I was a quick shot, even in the open, 
and had seen others do good work in this line, but this 
man fairly took' my breath away. As Mr. Cannon well 
expressed it he was more than sudden, for his birds were 
not fairly out of the grass before they were doubled up, 
and so well did he shoot that it was seldom he scored a 
miss. 
"After we had worked out the open prairie for a couple 
of hours, and had lots of shooting, Mr. Cannon proposed 
that we beat out an extensive cornfield, into which we 
had driven a large number of birds, and we at once 
started toward it. I could see that our friend did not 
quite like this arrangement, but he said nothing, and we 
entered the corn abreast and about a gunshot apart, with 
our friend in the center. Mr. Cannon and I were soon 
dropping them right and left; but our 'sudden' friend 
was out of his element, and after several shots with only 
two or three birds to show for them he gave it up, say- 
ing that he never could shoot in corn. I was .greatly 
surprised, as, until I witnessed his failure, I had sup- 
posed that this was just the place to bring out to per- 
fection the wonderful skill he had displayed in ihe open, 
and this reversal of the usual order of things bothered 
me not a little, especially when I learned upon inquiry 
that his failure was not owing to lack of practice, as he 
told me that he had persistently tried to get there, but 
somehow he could not do it. 
"I ruminated over this for several days, but could not 
arrive at a satisfactory conclusion, until one day, when 
shooting in corn, a bird rdse in front of me, and as I 
pitched the gun into position the bird swerved to the 
right and disappeared from sight behind the dense 
growth. Although it did not go 3ft. before I again 
caught sight of it, and I at once pulled trigger, I missed 
it clean. I did not regret the miss, as, at the very instant 
I had pulled to what I instinctively knew would be a 
miss, it flashed into my mind that here was the solution 
of the problem that had so bothered me in relation to 
the shooting of our 'sudden' friend. His nerves were 
keyed up to just the right tension to do their proper 
work in the very fraction of the instant that the music of 
the fluttering wings in the grass vibrated along the sen- 
sitive strings; but when, from any cause, there was even 
an infinitesimal break in the connection, those nerves 
collapsed and could not recefver their proper form quick- 
ly enough to accomplish their mission on time. On the 
open prairie, when his nerves responded to the call of 
the slightest rustle in the grass, the gun was mechanical- 
ly pitched to his shoulder; his eye, unobstructed, found 
the bird; the connection was complete and everything 
worked in harmony. But in the corn the surroundings 
were entirely different; some little time elapsed after 
these nerves were ready before the eye could make the 
circuit complete by sighting the bird, and owing to the 
delay the collapse came, and when the time for action 
arrived the sensitive tissues had not fully recovered, and 
hence their work was bunglingly performed." 
The book abounds with anecdotes equally interesting 
and equally forceful in bringing home a point of prac- 
tical value. What is commonly taught in dry technical 
detail is in this volume taught in simple and entertaining 
descriptive happenings which cover a vast field of 
sportsmanship. 
As Longus wrote of his pastoral of Paphnis and 
Chloe, that "it would refresh the memory of him who 
had once loved, and instruct him who was as yet ignor- 
ant of love," so Mr. Hammond well might say that his 
new book will both prompt the memory of the ex- 
perienced sportsman and teach the beginner the veteran's 
art. 
Alabama to Have a Law. 
Greenbrier, Ala. — Editor Forest and Stream: The 
Alabama Legislature convenes Nov. 15, and we of the 
Alabama Field Trial Club are preparing to make a 
desperate effort to have first-class game laws enacted. 
Up to this time bur game protection has been farcical, 
owing principally to the fact of there being no general 
law under which offenders could be brought to account. 
Some of our counties, it is true, have had statutes en- 
acted that would have resulted in much good if properly 
enforced; but even in these instances, so far as my 
information extends, but little has been accomplished, 
owing to the laxity with which offenders have been 
brought to justice. 
• The success attending the meets of the Alabama Field 
Trial Club has created great interest and much en- 
thusiasm in game protection throughout the State. 
The club membership is large and embraces numbers 
of influential men, a combined effort from whom will 
undoubtedly result in a law that will meet the exigencies 
that at present confront us. Among other things that 
we hope to embrace in the statute is that glorious plat- 
form plank of Forest and Stream: "The sale of game 
shall be forbidden at all seasons." 
Proper legislation, backed up by the determination of 
our club, assisted by the moral support which sports- 
men in the State will give us, we hope and believe will 
wheel Alabama into the front rank with States that ap- 
preciate and protect their game and fishes. 
Anent the Alabama Field Trial Club, it may be of in- 
terest to soortsmen in other States to know that since 
its formation, three years ago, it has done more to 
promote interest in game protection and distribution, and 
for improvement in breeding and developing high class 
shooting dogs, than all other combined inducements 
prior to that time. Among other things it has conclu- 
sively proven that State trials are superior in these re- 
spects to open or national events, and afford an oppor- 
tunity for the development of good dogs in far greater 
numbers than open trials may possibly do. 
The Alabama Club has been especially fortunate in 
securing splendid grounds upon which to hold its 
trials; and in obtaining the services of progressive, ener- 
£cet : c sportsmen as officers. Too much praise cannot 
be bestowed upon Messrs. T. T. Ashford, President, and 
T. M. Spencer, Secretary, for the masterly manner with 
which they have guided the club to successful issue. The 
trials for tSgo. promise large increase in entries, atten- 
dance and interest over the splendid meet of the pres 
ent year. Wm. M. Huntley, 
In Nebraska Bottom Lands. 
In what more enjoyable situation could a sportsman 
be placed than to be dumped out of a train, bag and 
baggage, in some of the finest shooting ground of the 
mid-West? We had hardly stepped off the train since 
leaving New York, except in changing at Chicago and 
again at Omaha. Our friend C, an old New Yorker, 
was at the station to meet us with a dilapidated carry- 
all, but any old thing proved welcome enough after the 
severe jolting of the train from Omaha. As we started 
oft toward C.'s home a cool breeze from the west wafted 
to our nostrils an indescribably sweet odor of prairie 
grass—off toward the timber lining the banks of the 
Elkhorn the liquid notes of Bob White reminded us 
of the prime sport to be had for the seeking 
As the sun dropped below the horizon the wind 
shifted around, blowing from the north in such icy 
gusts that we were very glad to turn up our coat collars and 
snug up close together on the seats. C, who had been 
discoursing upon crops, cattle, etc., suddenly switched 
off upon the duck outlook as augured by the north 
wind, to the effect that we should be in readiness for a 
Might of mallards and teal, which prediction from such 
an old hunter aroused our keenest anticipations. 
At 3 o'clock in the morning we were aroused by C, and 
after partaking of a fragrant cup of coffee and sundry 
good things from the cupboard, we hitched up the team 
and were soon bowling along over a six-mile route of 
level prairie. Just as the first streak of dawn showed 
itself in the East, C. pulled the horses up, jumped out 
and led them into what turned out to be a perfectly 
wind proof bower of wild plum trees. Decoys were 
raked out of a brush patch, and in a short time we 
were stationed in our blinds waiting for all comers. 
Two of us covered the decoys, while C. and H., both 
fine shots, stationed themselves further up stream, in- 
tending to cut off stray pairs and stragglers. 
We hadn't long to wait. A flock of mallards follow- 
ing on down the bend of the river swept in toward our 
decoys. I took the leader, a big drake, and cut him 
down clean with the No, 4s of my left, and in echo with 
the No. 2s of my right dropped another plump one. I 
glanced at B„ who seemed to be making some un- 
complimentary remarks about himself, and looking into 
the empty breech of his gun. Just then our friends of 
the other blind spoke three times in quick succession, and 
B. just finished loading up in time to drop a solitary 
teal screaming along with the wind at a 120-mile pace. 
The birds kept coming down first in bunches, then in 
straggling out pairs, till about 9 o'clock, when the flight 
ceased. We rowed out in a little skiff and picked up our 
birds, most of which had collected in a dead-water swirl 
below the point, together with those of our companions. 
Between us we had shot away forty-eight shells; we col- 
lected thirty-one mallards, pintails and teal, losing prob- 
ably eight or ten down stream. 
We took our birds and decoys back to the wagon, and 
after exchanging our duck loads for lighter loads of 
8s spread out and waded through a partially submerged 
piece of prairie bottom along the river bank. The grass 
was literally alive with golden and ring-neck plover. We 
bagged about twenty in short order; and considering 
that we had taken our share of game for the day, started 
back to the wagon. C, to spoil his record of seven 
straight, tried a pot-shot at five golden plover strung 
out in almost a straight line from him, He squatted 
down; there was a bang and splash. A duck charge shot 
by mistake was his undoing. Five very much surprised 
and alarmed plover flew away to more congenial feeding 
grounds. 
In three days our stock of game entirely disappeared, 
so we sallied off after quail and chickens. Some time 
later I may send in an account of our success with the 
chickens. Charees G. Blandford. 
Why Plantations are Posted. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
Within the next few weeks many of us who are fond 
of quail shooting will be off for the Southern States. 
Those who have been shooting the past two or three 
years must have noticed that the annoying sign "Posted" 
is rapidly diminishing the available shooting territory. 
As this is due largely to the abominable discourtesy or 
thoughtlessness of Northern gunners, I think it would be 
wise for you to call attention to the abuses which the 
plantation owners are obliged to suffer from those who 
shoot over their premises. 
From what I have learned from the farmers, and have 
noticed myself, I am surprised that the signs are not 
more numerous than they are. I have known sportsmen 
to shoot all day over a plantation, even going into the 
field where the owner was at work with a green colt, 
which was much frightened by the constant firing, with- 
out speaking to him or even "passing the time of day." 
Can any one blame a man for posting his land after such 
shabby treatment? 
At our hotel one evening a gunner told of a bevy of 
quail that had taken refuge in a garden patch 50ft. from 
a man's house, where he had had splendid single-bird 
shooting. I asked him if he spoke to the people, to 
which he laughingly replied that he only saw a few 
children, avIio rushed into the house like scared cats 
when the sport commenced. I could cite more examples 
of this outrageous abuse of shooting privileges. These 
are, however, sufficient for the purpose. 
Now as a rule the owners of plantations are very 
pleasant people, and they would be glad to see sports- 
men if they were treated decently. The life they lead 
is a circumscribed one, however, consequently they do 
thoroughly appreciate and enjoy any social attention. 
If all gunners who read this wilt this autumn make a 
point of looking up the owner of the plantations upon 
which they trespass, and chatting with him for five or 
ten minutes, giving him a few birds if the bag is a 
good one. the result will be that the prohibitive signs will 
not increase, and the advent of the sociable sportsman 
will be welcomed as a pleasant incident in a somewhat 
monotonous day. 
Last spring, after a five days' shoot on a large plan- 
tation in North Carolina, I drove half a mile out of my 
way to visit the owner. I told him of our sport, pre- 
senting him with a bunch of fifteen birds, which he 
received with evident pleasure and surprise. A few days 
later we arrived at to take the train for the North. 
The hotel proprietor told us that he was chatting with 
Mr. as we drove into the town, who pointed us out, 
saying that gunners had tramped over his land for 
twenty years, but that we were the first to present him 
with any birds. Loter he turned up at the hotel, and 
told us that we had not seen one-quarter of his planta- 
tion, adding that he should plant many acres with peas 
this year, which would attract the quail and give us great 
sport in November, which he urgently invited us to en- 
joy. I cite this incident simply to show that a thought 
of the Golden Rule in connection with our treatment of 
land owners will give us all plenty of shooting ground 
for many years, which we shall not have if present 
abuses are continued, Charles J. Means. 
Boston, Ma?s , October, 1398. 
The farmers of Maquoketa, Iowa, have combined in a 
movement thus noted by the Telegram of that town: 
The farmers living about Maquoketa have made fre- 
quent complaint of the depredations of certain hunters 
who disregard notices posted' up on various parts of 
their land, and enter the same, destroying the game 
and endangering the. lives of both stock and human 
beings in that vicinity. A number of them have deter- 
mined to put a. stop to such proceedings and have 
organized for that purpose. They are very much in 
earnest, as can be seen by the resolution and names ap- 
pearing below. It is without malice toward any particu- 
lar person that this action is taken, but it is their inten- 
tion to live up to the terms of their agreement and en- 
force the law with strict impartiality. 
Most of our hunters are perfect gentlemen, who ap- 
preciate the circumstances, and, we are certain, will not 
attempt to hunt on any one's land against his expressed 
desire: 
Whereas, the laws of the. State of Iowa prohibit hunt- 
ing by any person with dog or gun upon- the cultivated 
