June 22, 1901.] 
FOREST ANiU STREAM. 
487 
tied, so that the slightest coming in contact with the 
former would by its vibrations bring forth such an infernal 
noise as to scare the boldest prowler out of his wits. 
Into this inclosure two cocks and twelve hens were 
brought, after their wings had been clipped so they could 
not fly, in fall time, and here they were cared for until the 
following spring, when the mating season began. The 
game keeper who had charge of them told me that by that 
time they had become quite tame, and although the 
featliers on their wings had sufficiently grown to permit 
them to fly a little, they did not avail themselves of the 
opportunity to escape, but instead built their nests right 
there. When summer came the colony had grown to the 
respectable number of about 150 birds. 
The moment the young birds were strong enough, one 
of the smaller sides of the inclosure was gradually re- 
moved, permitting the old and young to go out or in at 
^ill, and when fall time came they had all left their birth- 
place and could be found all over the neighborhood. But 
.during the severe weather they congregate there in large 
numbers, owing to the fact that the snow is cleared away 
and they are fed. During all this time a continuous war 
has been kept up against all "varmint," so that killing sly 
Reynard, marten or weasel is of very rare occurrence at 
present. No wonder that the birds thrived so well. The 
game keeper told me that there are from forty to sixty 
cocks shot every April now, and that to his best belief 
there were at least a thousand birds on the preserve. 
After having made all these observat'ons, we retracted 
our steps toward the cabin and retired early. 
Next day being a stormy, miserable sort of an April 
day — rain, snow and sleet combined — we stayed in and 
killed the day as best we could, spinning yarns, looking 
after the rifles, eating, smoking and sleeping alternately. 
As is usually the case after such showers, the next morn- 
ing brought better weather conditions. With the moon 
and stars shining brightly, we left our resting place and 
carefully stole over to the place where soon after a cock's 
love drama should end in a tragedy. 
I had selected a hid'ng place nearer to the big trees, 
upon one of which his majesty had two days ago given me 
such a fine exhibition of his abilities as an ardent lover, 
and from which I could easily oversee all the "likely" 
places around me. 
Long before daylight came the whole neighborhood 
echoed and re-echoed with the love calls of a number of 
cocks, all ready for business. My rifle was ready for 
action, and I was just thinking if I really should have luck 
that day, when with loud clapping and whizzing of wings, 
breaking and cracking of twigs and branches, one of 
these noble cocks alighted not fifty yards from me on an 
old dead limb. To say that I was not excited would 
tell an outright lie, and I do not deny that during the 
next few minutes my heart beat so loud that I almost 
' could hear its throbbings. The cock immediately began 
the introductory of his love song. Turning his head one 
way and the other to see that there was no danger lurking 
near, he gave the signal call, and soon after was lost in 
love's dreams, from which he was never to awake — 
comedy was suddenly turned into tragedy, of which_ he 
was the principal actor. Being distinctly lined out against 
the sky, my shot was more or less an eas3' one, and the 
bullet went' home where intended — clear through the neck 
— and I dare say when that cock came crashing down he 
never knew what had strucki him. 
He was a full grown, magnificent bird, and tipped the 
scales at an even 14 pounds. So ended a very instructive 
and still more pleasant and successful trip in search of 
the wily king of the grouse family, Tefrao urogallus. 
May he finally be introduced with success into our country 
is the ardent wi.sh of the writer. 
F. VoK Hoffmann. 
Three Weeks in the A.dirondacks, 
A SPIRIT of unrest kept me unsettled, so far as busi- 
ness matters were concerned, the greater part of the sum- 
mer of 1900. The only outlet for my discontent (better 
defined as "woody feeling") was found in constructing 
various camp furnishings — chiefly a stove. Day by day 
found new additions to the store; day by day found new 
plans and enthusiasm, known only to those who love 
nature, and who can find the enjoyment of planning and 
anticipating a trip to the North Woods — second only to 
being there. 
The complete "ready to start" outfit consisted of a 
marvelous camp stove, with several feet of telescope pipe, 
quite suitable of senang in any well-ordered kitchen. Be- 
sides these, there were two tents and fly, two pack baskets 
filled to the brim with sandwiches, which were made of 
clothing and provisions. Our trunks were also filled, and 
were, on our arrival, to serve a double purpose — they 
were to be supplied with shelves, to be set on end, to 
furnish a cupboard. There were two barrels of provi- 
sions, and last, but not least, two tired men, only too glad 
to get away from business for a play spell. The partner of 
the writer's joys was W. J. Leake, a time-worn camping 
friend. About 5 o'clock on the afternoon of Sept. 4 we 
were safely landed at Lake View Lodge, on Big Moose 
Lake, the most beautiful spot beyond the Fulton Cha"n. 
Many friends and acquaintances greeted us on our arrival, 
which added much to our pleasure. 
Earli' the next morning we were astir, and began to 
look about for a place to pitch our tent. The place that 
had been our home two years before had been demolished 
by the loggers, but we finally selected a beautiful spot, a 
bit higher than the surrounding ground, while a fine 
stream, which was near by, supplied us with water. Our 
tents were soon put up, cupboards put in order, a rustic 
table built, beds made on the boughs, a fire built — and 
Camp Jolly was in running order. 
The prospects for good hunting were discourag-ng, as 
but few deer and practically nothing else had been seen. 
We had game dinners, however, although they consisted of 
squirrel potpies (of course we must add the}' were red 
ones, and quite small, buf as none were allowed to be 
brought to camp, unless shot through the head, they were 
well shot — even if pretty small game). 
While friends may -be cons'dered one of the greatest 
earthly possessions, it is not considered, by your humble 
servant to be conducive to successful hunting, to have 
too many such possessions near bj' when. you intend to 
get some game. Because of :pfir(;ictilar cojidition of 
afifairs, our social obligations seemed very great, and it 
soon became generally known that the cuisine at Camp 
Jolly was worth tramping over many a rough road to par- 
take of; therefore, very often some one would happen 
along our way, just in time for dinner. 
In" the meantime, I could not quite give up the idea 
of getting a deer, and kept wandering about, always on 
the alert for at least a sight of. if not a shot at, a buck, or 
nothing. On returning from one of these tours late one 
afternoon, a porcupine slowly dragged itself out of my 
path. I remembered that a friend had wished me to 
capture one for hnn, so taking my leather belt from about 
mv . waist, I hastily secured the animal, tied the strap 
about one of its legs, and thus fast to the end of ray gun 
barrel,, swung it over my shoulder and started tent- 
ward once more. A noise attracted my attention, when 
after proceeding but a short distance, on turning a sharp 
angle in the beaten path, lo ! there stood a large, hand- 
some buck, quietly feeding, only about twenty-seven paces 
distant. My expectations were to be realized. I was sure 
he was my game ; it was such a good shot I could not miss 
it. Let the reader not make the same mistake .that the 
writer did, and forget about the previous disposal ef the 
hedgehog. I liad cause to remember it very soon, when, 
as I sank quietly to the ground to be better prepared to 
take aim, the gun inclined just enough to allow the 
strap and porcupine to slip forward, and in an instant 
four claws and seemingly 4.000 quills were buried in my 
sweater, and incidentally in my back. We were both 
very busy for a few moments. The crawling creature be- 
came a veritable "thorn in the flesh." 
It is superfluous to tell you, k'nd reader, that when the 
smoke of the battle had cleared away, the beautiful buck 
was scampering swiftly away in the distance, while by its 
side was another, even larger, which had been hidden 
from my view when first I came upon them. 
Possibly it was the rain which bade fair to deluge our 
camp, possibly it was that I suddenly became ambitious 
and decided to return to work again possibly it was the 
disappointment and regret caused by seeing that deer 
literally slip from my grasp ; but, whatever the cause, 
hunting, shooting, camping, lost interest for me. My one 
ambition was to murder in cold blood all members of the 
porcupine fam'l3^ Soon after we broke camp, packed our, 
belongings carefully in a roomy cave in a rock near our 
happy hunting ground, where, sheltered from the wind 
and storms, they await us when other vacation days shall 
come. . Byron V. Covert. 
LOCKPORT, N. y. 
Anti-Spring Shooting Effects^ 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
I believe that the much disputed question as to whether 
ducks will breed in this State if they are unmolested by 
the spring shooter 'is in a fair way to be settled by the 
result of our experiment in this county this year. 
The sportsmen of this county succeeded in se- 
ciiring the passage of a law last winter prohibiting the 
spring shooting of wildfowl in Jefferson county for a 
period of three years, and although this act did not 
become a law until April 6, after the first flight had 
come and a great many birds had l>een killed, we suc- 
ceeded in practically stopping all shooting after that 
date. The result is astonishing, exceeding by far the most 
sanguine hope of all who supported the bill. 
Geese and ducks of all kinds have been with us in 
thousands all the spring, and they are with us to-day — 
Maj' 25 — and show no more inclination to leave than they 
did a month ago. I inclose clipping from the Watertown 
Daily Times. The article is from their Chaumont corre- 
spondent : - 
"Since the new law has been in force against duck 
shooting at this season, these fowls are as tame as 
domestic ones, allowing persons to approach them to 
within a few yards. There may be seen any day on the 
shores of the bay flocks containing 200 ducks. Don 
Rogers, of Point Salubrious, counted 160 one day last 
week sitting on the beach near his dwelling. Fishermen 
report the bay teeming with bass, and there are many 
indications that the season will be a good one for the 
sportsmen." 
The same condition of things prevails in all the waters 
of our county ; ducks of all kinds are here by thousands, 
and I believe the people who live along our shores will 
bear me out in this statement, that there are more ducks 
in this countj^ at the present time than there have been 
at any time in twenty years. While we are not disposed 
to Want our ducklings before they are hatched, it be- 
gins to look as though the birds were satisfied with their 
treatment this spring, and intend to stay all summer. If 
they do we want you fellows in the rest of the State to 
keep right on shooting in the spring and drive them up 
here. Judging from the number of birds that got here 
this spring, I don't believe that many of you can hit a 
duck anyway. 
The boys are talking now about a non-resident license 
for shooting ducks in this county, costing $25 for the 
ordinary decent sportsman. No license to be issued to 
pot-hunters, Oswego or LoQg Island shooters. 
By the way. I noticed in the press dispatches the other 
day that Magistrate Brann, of New York city, had re- 
voked Protector Overton's search warrant in the Arctic 
Freezing Company case, saying, "I will not allow this 
thing to go ail}' further. The practice on the part of 
rural yaps coming to this city and disturbing merchants 
who are honest and trying to do business is all wrong." 
LTp in this section of the State the "rural yap" is con- 
tent to eat game during the onen =-ea<:on only, and if T 
know our new Game Commissioner, the "city yap" will 
come pretty near doing the same thing, and the "honest [ ?] 
■ merchant trying to do bus'ness" in defiance of the 
game law will find a "rural yap" at Albany that he can't 
- convince with the same argument that he did Police 
■ Magistrate Brann. 
Every fall and winter the . covers of this State are 
cleaned up to fill the freezers in New York city, and I 
• hope and believe that the time is not far distant when 
the "rural yaps" will get after their Senators and Assem- 
blymen and demand the nassage of the Forest and Stre.\m 
Plank, "Stop the sale of game at any time." 
.. . W. H, Tallett. 
^VATE;a'yowtf , N. Yi May 26^ 
Woodcock and Wood Duck. 
Toronto, Ont., June J2.— Editor Forest and Stream: 
I am gratified with the result of my appeal to the 
sportsmen of the United States— through the kindness of 
Forest and Stream — in the important question of united 
action of sportsmen for the better protection of woodcock 
and wood duck. I feel sure that sportsmen in general 
will agree with me in classing the North American wood- 
cock as the finest game bird in the world, and the wood 
duck as the most valuable. From genuine sportsmen re- 
siding in the Eastern, Middle and Western States who 
so promptly responded to my request, I learn that their 
experience coincides with ours in Ontario, which is that 
woodcock and wood duck are becoming scarcer each suc- 
ceeding season. Such being an admitted fact, what are 
we going to do about it? This is a case that requires 
prompt and concerted action of the States and Provinces 
if the extermination of these grand birds is to be pre- 
vented. 
I would like, if time would permit, to correspond with 
all the game protective assoc'ations in the United States 
and Canada, but life is too short and uncertain to under- 
take such a task, however congen'al it might be. I therefore 
make an urgent appeal to the editors of all the papers de- 
voted to field sports in the United States and Canada to 
earnestly take hold of this matter on behalf of the true 
sportsmen of this vast continent. 
This is a work that needs to be done at once ; it will 
not admit of delay. A close season for some years in the 
case of wood duck is absolutely imperative. Similar 
action regarding woodcock is to be desired, or in the 
event of this be'ng objected to, the open season should be 
reduced to one month. That month for the greater por- 
tion of the United States and Canada should be October. 
What sportsman who has had the incomparable pleasure 
of shooting woodcock in October but will regret having 
shot the poor. half-fled,ged, immature birds in July and 
August? We who claim to be .sportsmen have a great 
deal to answer for, in our ignorance or thoughtlessness 
in the past, when we could kill twelve or fifteen brace of 
woodcock during a day's shoot'ng, fondly believing this 
sport would continue, at least for our time. Well, we have 
had a rude awakening, and our pleasant dreams dispelled. 
Brother sportsmen, this matter to a large extent is in 
j'our hands. The editors of your respective papers will, I 
am sure, give you the powerful assistance controlled by 
them. This, of course, with the energetic assistance of 
your legislators, especially those that have been so fortu- 
nate as to indulge in the pleasures only to be found in 
outings in fields, forests and streams. 
If my humble efforts result in concerted and active 
measures being taken for the better protection and per- 
petuation of these and other game birds, the efforts of 
your humble servant will not have been in vain. 
E. TiNSLEY. 
Murder in the First Degree. 
In my younger days in the Hudson's Bay Company's 
service, I put in many years in what we call the Moose 
Belt in Quebec — that is. from the St. Maurice River on 
the east to Lake Nipissing on the west, from the Kepewa 
on the south to near the height of land on the north. All 
inside these boundaries was teeming with moose. They 
were killed in the most wanton manner by Algonquin 
Indians and the lumbermen, in many instances only the 
hide being taken, and the meat left. Our own Indians, 
who lived year in and year out in the country, never 
wasted a particle of meat. If they killed more than the 
family could consume during the winter months, before 
the warm days of April set in, it was carefully collected, 
cut in strips and smoke dried for summer use. While 
attending to the curing of the meat, the thrifty squaw 
dressed the hides. These were cut up and made into 
moccasins and tra~ded at our store during their stay about 
the post in summer. An ordinary sized hide would cut 
up into about twenty-two pairs of shoes (without tops) 
and commanded $1.50 per pair, we selling them for the 
same price in cash to lumber concerns, making our profit 
on the goods bartered. 
The young Indian the year prior to getting married 
always exerted himself to show how many moose he 
could kill. This was their boast and pride to show they 
were good providers of food. The Indian nature to kill 
would manifest itself at this time, and the numbers killed 
by some of the young slips is hardly to be credited. Older 
men with families never killed for the sake of killing. 
I knew a young Indian personally whose mother had 
been left a widow with a large family. He was the 
eldest of the children, and that summer began to strut 
about the post in fine clothes and mix with the men of 
the tribe. This is one of the traits that shows itself be- 
fore matrimony is contemplated. The k-lling of many 
moose was sure to follow these signs. That young boy 
actually killed to his own gun ninety moose. Averaging 
the butchered meat of each moose at the low estimate of 
600 pounds, we have a gross weight of 54,000 pounds of 
good, wholesome food. 
This section of country was in those (3ays, I venture to 
say, the richest in game on the continent of America. 
Every little creek or lake had its beaver lodge, and even 
on the main routes of travel one would see beaver swim- 
ming two or three times in the course of a day's paddle. 
At the posts we lived on fish game and potatoes. Our 
allowance of flour was only too pounds for each man for 
the twelve months, and we used to spin this out by eating 
only a pancake or so on Sundays and a pudding on 
Christmas. 
The choice bits of the moose — the tongue and muzzle — 
the Indians brought us in quantities, the trade price of 
each being half a "made beaver," equal to a supposed 
sum of fifty cents. This was paid in goods, and would be 
further reduced by 100 per cent, our advance for transport 
and profit. 
One cannot but look back with regret to those days and 
think such slaughter was murder. 
Martin HyjsrTER. 
All communications intended for FoxasT akd Stream should 
always be addressed to the Forest and Stream Publishing Co., an^ 
to ?wy in^^^'^"^' Cpftflegted with the paper. 
