May 12, 1900.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
367 
Now as this whole crossing ground is being settled up and 
lots of Italian Joes are scattered through it, how long 
will it be till the extinction of the plover family is effected ? 
There may be some members of the Illinois Legislature 
who can rise to the consideration of anything apart from 
politics, but pity 'tis 'tis true a large majority of them 
are elected from districts where ignorance is bliss, and 
where it, consequently, is considered folly to be wise. 
The preservation of game and the protection of our small 
and useful birds are matters beyond their capacity to 
grasp, and as their constituents are of the same material 
they are in no danger of losing any votes if they refuse 
to give the subject a moment's thought. If I considered it 
a professional duty to report the rascally doings of sports- 
men who are destitute of conscience, I would make it my 
duty at the same time to whack them whenever they 
deserved it. Didymus. 
St. Augustine, Fla. 
Careful and Careless. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
It is an old story that "Confession is good for the soul." 
In a January number of Forest and Stream, Marin 
frankly and profusely confessed that he sometimes fails 
to get lost on a hunting trip. He says : "There are some 
who may smile superciliously, and asseverate that nobody 
except a doddering imbecile ever does get lost in the 
woods." Then fairly and square^, he owns that he 
seldom fails to get lost. Good for Marin! Such blunt 
honesty as his is wholesome and refreshing. 
If the individual who gets lost in the woods really is a 
"doddering imbecile" (I myself am one under those con- 
ditions), then what kind of an "imbecile" must be he 
who lets off a gun prematurely? 
Now I have been conceited enough to imagine myself 
exceedingly careful in the handling of firearms; yet I 
must confess that on some occasions guns have had a 
ridiculous — luckily, not serious — fashion of exploding pre- 
maturely in my hands. 
I went duck shooting with Major Mather in 1898. One 
day the decoys were nicely anchored off a rocky point, and 
we were well concealed. Presently the Major whispered: 
"Look out, Harry! A lot of broadbills are coming." I 
peeked cautiously over the rocks — they were coming 
gloriously, and fully a hundred of them! My! how 
beautiful' and straight they streaked it for those wooden 
lures ! Now they are only 300 j'-ards away — I am still 
peeking. Two hundred yards — I keep an eye on them and 
reach for my gun. "Bang!" I jump— my hair jumps- 
Major jumps, and 100 broadbills point wings heavenward, 
and as they circle sharply to the east the sun's rays touch 
their underbodies and they appear like ghosts of ducks, 
and they vanish quickly in the morning mists. Major 
gazes wistfully in the direction they have gone, then looks 
dictionaries at me. "What did you shoot at?" I srnile 
like a sick monkey, and say: "Major, I shot at the air." 
They were the last broadbills we saw on the trip. 
One glorious fall day I was strolling leisurely through 
the woods. A pipe was in my mouth and I held a gun 
loosely under my arm. Suddenly the gun went off— a 
geyser of earth, sticks and leaves shot into the air a 
dozen feet ahead — the pipe dropped from my mouth and 
the gun turned a double somersault in the bushes back of 
me. "What a confounded fool I am for carrying a gun 
at full cock! I'll never do that trick again," I vowed. 
T once sat in the kitchen of a sportsman's camp intently 
watching the transformation of cold, soggy dough into 
light, puffy biscuit. Some one outside the building 
shouted: "Geese are flying over. Bring a gun, quick!" 
I grabbed my rifle, hurried out, slipped cartridges in the 
magazine, but when I was ready the geese were far out of 
range. Returning to the kitchen I proceeded to unload. 
I supposed I had extracted the last cartridge, but to make 
sure I pointed the muzzle well up on the wall and pulled 
the trigger. There was a flash and a crash, and as a 
hullet sped through a foot log and out into the wilderness 
the manipulator of cold dough nearly jumped over the 
stove. I confess it was rank carelessness on my part to 
take a loaded rifle into the kitchen ; but I must also confess 
that others who pride themselves on their carefulness un- 
loaded their rifles in that camp regularly. I offer this, 
however, as no excuse for my own carelessness. 
Perhaps I am not discreet in making these confessions, 
but the spirit moves me and perhaps my candor may cause 
otiiers to think. There are men of my acquaintance who, 
I am sure, will exclaim : "What a careless man Avis is ! 
Very well, I admit it. Now let some of them examme 
themselves, without prejudice, thoroughly. I have noticed 
acts of thoughtlessness in them many times— but they 
never observe it themselves. I have noticed that there are 
more men who carry a gun cocked than there are who 
don't. And I have looked into the muzzles of guns car- 
ried iDy persons walking through the brush in front of 
me— many times; and I have often heard these in- 
dividuals boast of the care exercised by themselves never 
to let the muzzle of their gun come m range of a person. 
■They do just what they claim they don't do and don t 
know it. I am firmly convinced that a little observation 
of similar cases will back me in this statement— just try 
it and see. , , , 1 jv 
Many a life is sacrificed through the careless handling 
of firearms, and barrels of ink are used in condemnation 
"of the careless ones. Even by the most expert too much 
caution can never be exercised m handling guns. ' Eternal 
vigilance." in this respeet, may avert a horrible tragedy 
,ind the wreck of the life of the one who might cause it. 
Undoubtedlv there are justifiable cases where m- 
• lividuals have taken human life, yet, it seems that no 
sane person with a conscience could rest easy in the 
- knowledge that he had killed a man— even under the 
most justifiable circumstances. Then what must be the 
feelino- of that person who knows he has killed a friend— 
a companion— through criminal carelessness in handling 
a firearm? If a sportsman, never again could he find 
pleasure in the pursuit of those delectable pleasures con- 
nected with the handling of rifle or gun afield. Perhaps, 
like in some instances, with wrecked reason and cloiided 
mind his weary existence might be passed in the confines 
of a madhouse. , , » t. ^1. 
Fellow sportsmen, don't say, "I am careful. Rather 
av, 'T can't be too careful." None of us can! Let us 
rzc^ and all vo-"' never to carry a gun at full cock under 
3nT conditions while hunting.' with pr without a com- 
panion. Let us vow to be ever cautious while shooting 
from a boat or over decoys.' Above all things, let us never 
carry a loaded gun into a house, whether others do so or 
not. Let us hang a notice on our rifle or shotgun saying : 
"This gun is loaded," no matter whether it is or not. 
Who can tell but in so doing we may prevent some 
"didn't-know-it-was-loaded fool" blowing out the brains 
of our dearest friend? Under all circumstances, and at 
all times — for our family's sake, for our friends' sake, 
for our own sake — let us ever exercise the greatest cau- 
tion in the handling of firearms. 
William H. Avis. 
For pertinent and timely illustrative comment on the 
above see daily paper, any paper of any day. For ex- 
ample, here is the current New York World of May 5 
which reports from Cooperstown, N. Y., May 4 : "Ralph 
Hawkins, twenty-two years old, to-day found a revolver 
which he supposed was not loaded. Turning round he 
pointed it at Jessie Betterly, who was standing in the 
doorway, and pulled the trigger. The weapon was dis- 
charged, and the ball entered Miss Betterly's head just 
above the left eye. She has not lost consciousness, and is- 
now in the hospital, where the doctors have probed for 
the bullet but cannot find it. Hawkins has been held on 
a charge of careless handling of firearms." 
The Last IVIoose Killed in New 
York State. 
Savre, Pa. — The following letter appeared in the 
Ithaca, N, Y., Journal, and as it refers to a question that 
has been considerably discussed in Forest and Stream, 
and is penned by an observant, thoroughly trustworthy 
resident of the region alluded to, it may have a special 
interest for a wide circle of readers. The writer is Ezra 
Cornell, of Saranac Lake, and he says, commenting upon 
a statement that the last moose in the Adirondacks was 
killed in 1848 : 
"From such information as I have from time to time 
been able to gather from old residents of this neighbor- 
hood, there is, I think, little doubt but that a moose was 
killed here in the town of North Elba, Essex county, be- 
tween 1855 and 1858— I have been unable to fix the exact 
date, but it was certainly from seven to ten years later 
than the killing of the moose in Lake Champlain. The 
moose of which I write was killed by Truman Wilds on 
land then owned by Dyer and Wilds, now owned by 
Parkuse and Randall, on the road leading from the village 
of North Elba to Averyville. Mr. Wilds was hunting 
partridge with a double-barrel, muzzleloading shotgun. 
His first shot blinded the big animal, which made it pos- 
sible for Wilds to get in a number of more shots at short 
range, finally fetching him down. 
"Wolves lasted until a much later date— the last one 
killed in this vicinity was shot by Moses Ames near the 
road leading from Saranac Lake to Lake Placid, and about 
half-way between the two villages. That was in 1865 ; 
but in March, 1891, I am told that a wolf and a dog 
together drove a deer on the ice of Preston Pond and 
killed him; Preston Pond is on the boundary of Essex 
and Franklin counties. This wolf, however, was not 
killed. There is probably no doubt but that the wolves 
are now entirely exterminated in this State. 
"Panthers have been seen and killed within a very short 
time, and a feAV probably still exist, although they too 
are practically all killed off. There are still black bear 
to be found about here — a pair of cubs being captured 
last winter within three miles of where I am now writing. 
The deer would be more plentiful than ever before if the 
present game laws were strictly enforced. There has been 
nearly, if not quite, as much "hounding" and "jacking" 
in this neighborhood during the past three seasons as 
during the three preceding, when such hunting was 
lawful." ■ 
The reader will notice particularly the concluding para- 
graph of Mr. Cornell's letter relative to the enforcement 
of the game law. It bears out the conclusions given in 
these columns by Mr. Burnham upon the same question 
at issue. Mr. Cornell's emphatic dtatemients of the 
"hounding" and "jacking" carried on in the vicinity of 
Saranac Lake reveals a condition of things which calls for 
a remedy heroic enough in its proportion and extent to 
drive the supporters of this form of deer hunting into 
permanent retirement. M. Chill. 
CHICAGO AND THE WEST. 
IIP.!..' — 
From 'Wyoming. 
Mr. Wm. Wells, of Uinta county, Wyo., writes a 
pleasant letter which I must give at length : 
"Wells, Wyo. — We had a very successful season here 
last year, and nearly every one got plenty of game, though, 
of course, there was some kicking. Do you know that 
there is a great deal of difference between the average 
Englishman and American when it comes to hunting? 
Nothing seems to bother an Englishman. Cold, snow, 
bad weather, bad luck — all is taken as a matter of course, 
and they seem to tmderstand that game is not always 
standing' around waiting to be shot. On the other hand, 
the American sportsman seems to think that bad weather 
is a sort of personal insult, and as to game seems to 
think that the guide is at fault if plenty of game is not 
seen every da.v. And worst of all, the American seems to 
think that two weeks is an abundance of tithe to get any 
and all kinds of game to be found in the Rockies. I had 
men out last fall who kicked like blazes because in a ten 
days' trip they only got elk and antelope, and did not 
get mountain sheep, grizzlies and cougars as well. 
"The foregoing is only a little roar to relieve my mind. 
Our new game law seems to be working very well, as the 
license system provides a fund which enables the State 
to keep a large force of wardens in the field. So far as 
I know there has been very little slaughter of elk this 
winter, and other game is also doing well. Elk are in- 
creasing very fast, and the fir.st hard winter will see an 
awful loss from starvation, as the winter range is already 
overstocked. I think that we have at least 60,000 elk in 
northwest Wyoming and the Park, and the winter range is 
being encroached on by ranches and cattle every year. 
But I suppose that the game mu<t go sooner or , later. 
"I see that there is a movement on foot to put a close 
season on antelope and sheep for a term of years. I think 
that this is useless for these reasons : In the first place, 
the people who kill most of the game — that is, the settlers 
— ^pay no attention to the game laws when it comes tO' a 
question of eating fresh meat or going without. Nobody 
in Wyoming pays any attention to the close season when 
meat is wanted, and public opinion on the subject is so 
strong that the wardens are obliged to wink at killing 
for food. Consequently, if the present law cannot be en- 
forced, what is the use of a more stringent one? Harsh 
game laws always defeat themselves, at least in a wild and 
unsettled country, I have always believed that the actual 
settlers in a country, the people who are undergoing the 
hardships of the frontier, were entitled to what game they 
need for food, and I would like to see our game laws 
recognize this principle. 
"A close season on any game in a country like this 
does not stop the killing for food purposes, and as long as 
market and hide hunting is stopped the killing for food is 
about the main cause of decrease of game, 
"As regards mountain sheep, the cougars kill ten for 
every one that is killed in any other manner, and the 
best way to protect the sheep would be to put a bounty on 
cougars. No one who does not live in the mountains has 
any idea of how fast these big cats are increasing, or the 
terrible ravages they make among the game. 
"It is always a wonder to me that more sportsmen 
do not come out for a winter hunt after cougars, but I 
suppose that the cold and snow keep them away." 
Mr. Wells' remarks on killing for food are based on 
justice, and those who know much about wild countries 
will be first to admit it. As to a winter hunt for his 
cats, wouldn't a few of us like to go at that ! 
E. Hough. 
3G0 BoYCE ButLBiMS, Chicago, 111. 
Every Number from the First. 
Calais, Me.— Editor Forest and Stream: I see my 
subscription runs out the i8th. I inclose order for re- 
newal. It is a magazine paper of editorial genius, and 
collects critically and appetizingly the things sportsmen, 
naturalists and ornithologists most want to know ; a store- 
house of good reading, nice pictures and bright bits of 
news. I have read every number from the first, and will 
be a life subscriber, but I am getting old now — in my 
eighty-third year — and am journeying into the shadow; 
the roar of the ultimate river is daily growing more dis- 
tinct in my ears. Geo. A. Boardman. 
Wild Pigeons in Wisconsin. 
Green Bay, Wis., May 5. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
Thinking it might be of some interest to your readers, 
especially the old-timers, would say that there have been 
six or seven good-sized flocks of wild pigeons going 
north this last week, having passed over town and around 
neighboring farms. I counted nineteen pigeons in one 
flock while trout fishing this week, and had a good chance 
to see them, as they lit close by, and there is no mis- 
take, for they were the genuine wild pigeon. 
A. G. Holmes. 
Trapping on Long Island* 
A recent report from a Long Island country place with- 
in fifty miles of New York counts as captured in a 
vermin trapping campaign one 'posum, twelve muskrats. 
four mink, two dogs, one cat and 126 rats. This speaks 
well for the resources of the island, and it also indicates 
in some measure what one has to contend vvith in an en- 
deavor to raise trout and protect the song birds. 
Quebec Game* 
Aylmer. Que., April 19. — The game in my district is 
very plentiful, owing to the fact that the Hon. S. N. 
Parent, Commisioner of Lands, Forests and Fisheries, 
placed on duty during the past winter several special 
game wardens to better enforce the game and fish laws, 
and that we had very little snow and crust which gave 
the game ample chance to protect themselves from 
poachers. N. E. Cormier. 
The Next Best Thing. 
Walkerville, Ont.— I have been a subscriber to your 
valued paper, through the news agent, for some years 
past, and look forward to its coming with the greatest 
of pleasure. As you say, "If you cannot go hunting read 
Forest and Stream." That's what I do, as I am chained 
to business. To read Forest and Stream is the next best 
thing. I am particularly fond of your yachting columns, 
as that is my favorite sport. Alfred Miers. 
A meeting of the New York Fish and Game Commis- 
sioners and of the game protectors was held in Albany 
on Thursday of this week for the purpose of making the 
members acquainted with the force. 
"Th«t remisda me" f ' " 
Back of the Score. 
"Bears," said the member just back from a trip. "Yes; 
saw one. Wait till I tell you. Ball, the guide, wanted to 
go and look at a bear trap before we went down the 
river, and I went along with him. He had his axe and I 
carried a gun. As we came in sight of the trap there 
was the bear. 'We've got him !' said Ball, in the words of 
the Winchester Calendar. I was raising my rifle, but Ball 
said : 'Don't shoot ; he's safe.' We walked up close and 
the bear stood up. Ball aimed a crack at him with the 
axe and the bear dodged one side and trotted off. He 
wasn't in the trap at all, and I forgot to shoot. Ball 
said -. Never mind." • Jog. 
I 
