1:1 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
March. 
Midbletow-n, N. Y„ March io.—Editor Forest and 
Stream; Unless all signs fail, spring has arrived, but 
winter is still lingering and trying to get into her lap., 
March I Wm, Pohlman, the foreman of the Ontario & 
Western Machine Shops, picked up in the yard a fine 
woodcock killed by striking against the telegraph wires; 
he ate it and pronounced it O. K. 
Same day John Koman killed a 3^*0°* black snake 
which he saw crawl into a stone heap in his garden 
March 2 L G. Wilson, of the Middletown Ice Com- 
pany, killed a 3-foot water snake which was swimming m 
the ice pond. , , r . T , 
Same dav A. T. Buthoof, who lives at Monhagen Lake, 
saw three robins and half a dozen bluebirds in his door 
"^March 3 I saw a flock of about twenty crow-blackbirds 
among the spruce trees in Geo. Hawkins' grounds on 
Highland avenue, in this city. . 
Same day Louis Roth reports having seen meadow 
larks, bluebirds and robins in the opeR fields while look- 
ing the high water over in the Wallkill River near Crystal 
Run and Stony Ford. . 
The water in the Wallkill was never so high, so say the 
oldest inhabitants. 'Twas nine feet over the dam at 
Philipsburgh iust below this city. 
The' Highway bridges are all gone from Montgomery 
to Pellett's Island except the bridge at Phihipsburgh. 
The pond holes in the fields along, the stream contain 
many fish, which were washed out and left by the re- 
ceding water, particularly German carp, with now and 
then a black bass. ^ . , 
Took in the Sportsmen's Show Thursday and Friday. 
The best exhibit is Child's game birds, their eggs and 
nests, and next comes the fish. 
Am afraid the last fall of snow finished the quail. 
Mongolian ringnecked pheasants liberated by me two 
years ago have done well. Amos Ryerson reported sixty 
old and young seen by him in one day on his farm above 
Denton, just at the lower end of the drowned lands ot 
the Wallkill. Asa Mapes reported twenty-four on his 
farm in town of Mount Hope, ten miles in the opposite 
direction. Herman Otto, near Otisville, reports them so 
tame that they feed with his chickens. , 
Charlie Cairns says half a dozen stayed all day m his 
rornfield while he was plowing last year, keeping not oyer 
a hundred feet distant. Am afraid they are too tame tor 
the pot-hunters. J° HN Wilkin. 
The Storm and the Birds. 
Princes Bay. Staten Island, N. Y., March In a 
recent issue of Forest and Stream your Florida corre- 
pondent Didymus. says that our Northern quad should 
g pSSUted. 'Didymus is right In a farming country 
where the farmers are neat with their farms, it is hard 
for the birds to find cover when a storm like we have just 
nad sweeps the land. Some farmers do not n^ce^I 
or care a snap whether they die or not. Such people 
would not feed the birds unless they gave milk. Ov 1 the 
other hand, there is the farmer who likes to see the quail 
on his Place, and will leave a little patch of brush t here 
and there for their protection will leave m the fields a 
few shocks of corn and a few bundles of wheat for their 
f °lfis different here on Staten Island. We have the good 
cover but not the farms that raise the grain. Talk about 
the "deep, tangled wild wood"-we have it here Our 
quail were well protected in the fierce storm we had, and 
?hev came out of it all right. If there is any good cover 
around just leave: that to the quail; he will find it But 
when it comes to feed, then we help them out, and well 
do the little brats know where to come and get their 
bLkfas I was talking with Mr. Van Tobin yester- 
dav and he told me he had just been out and found and 
fcd'fSSf different bevies of quail. Mr Tobm is our very 
efficient game protector, and he watches the pot-hunter 
like a guardian angel. He thinks a dead pot-hunter is 
worth fbout as much as two or three bushels of wheat 
I would put that as a rough estimate. -There is a man 
living in the interior of the island who has harbored and 
fed a bevy of quail all winter, and he has them so tame 
thev eat with his chickens. . . 
The Richmond County Fish and Game Protective As- 
sociation can look with pride at the fruits of their abors. 
With our good president and efficient game protectors 
we have the heart to work for the interests of the com- 
munity at all times. 
New Jersey Game. 
Mil hurst, N. J.. March 7 — -Editor Forest and Stream: 
The prospect for game around here during the coming 
season seems to be more than good, notwithstanding the 
heavy snow and ice storms. 
This morning— March 7— I saw many well-used rabbit 
paths on the snow in the open, and any quantity of squir- 
rel tracks in the woods ; also by what I have seen and 
heard quail have wintered well, as I have seen several 
flocks before this last storm, 'and others have told me of 
their seeing many also. I hardly think that this last 
storm has affected them much. 
On March 3 I took a stroll and gathered several well- 
arown spathes of the skunk cabbage— the first spring 
flower— and on March 4 saw and heard many redwing 
blackbirds and robins, also several bluebirds and hedge 
sparrows Whether the weather be rough or pleasant, 
these dear little harbingers of spring will surely put m 
an appearance at about such a time. A. L. L. 
Temiscouata Guides* 
The Temiscotlata Sportsmen's Guide Protective Asso- 
ciation, incorporated in 1901, have had their annual meet- 
ing in January and brought the following result: Ovide 
Lucass, President; Damase Pinot, Vice-President; Paul 
T. Cloiltier, Secretary-Treasurer, to whom all correspon- 
dence should be addressed. Price of guide, $2 per day. 
The aim of the Association is to protect the fish and 
game, and to have expert guides and moose callers in the 
f Pictures fro m%"Fo rest and Stream^y^ 
The contents of this superb collection of drawings are 
sufficiently stated in the title. The drawings are i6 x /$ by 
inches. Their authors are Carl Rungius, H. T. Fol- 
som, E. W. Deming, John James Audubon, Edmund H. 
Osthaus and Wilfred P. Davidson, and they illustrate 
wild life and life out of doors in many varieties. The 
animals which figure in the collection are the elk, the 
deer, the mountain sheep, the buffalo. Audubon's birds 
being the purple sandpiper, the black duck, the shoveller 
duck, the redhead, the canvasback, the prairie chicken, 
the willow ptarmigan, the golden plover. Yachting, fish- 
ing and rural scenes have all their appropriate illustra- 
tions, and all are true to life. The publishers of Forest 
and Stream deserve great credit for producing so valu- 
able a collection of truly artistic pictures. — Our Animal 
Friends. 
"American Duck Shooting:/' 
SissETON, S. D., March 2. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
I have received and read Mr. Grinnell's book on "Amer- 
ican Duck Shooting." I found the book much more read- 
able than I had expected. The author is to be congratu- 
lated upon his success in combining an accurate descrip- 
tion of the different localities where he has learned the 
lessons of duck shooting and the habits of water fowl, 
with practical hints and suggestions to all lovers of such 
sport. 
While the author tells us that he is not relying on his 
own experience alone in the making up of this inter- 
esting book, the reader cannot help but believe that the 
last half of the book is the story of the actual experience 
of the author himself. It is the practical side of the book 
that appeals most strongly to the reader. 
J. W. Barrington. 
Proprietors of fishing resorts will find it profitable to advertise 
them in Forest anb Stream. 
Protection for Alaska Game. 
H. R. 11535. 
A bill for the protection of game in the district of Alaska, and 
for other purposes. . ... 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives ot the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, that from and 
after the passage o.f this act the wanton destruction of wild game 
animals or wild birds, the destruction of nests and eggs of such 
birds, or the killing of any wild bird other than a game bird or 
wild game animal for the purposes of shipment from the district 
of Alaska is hereby prohibited. The term "game animals shall 
include deer, moose, caribou, sheep, mountain goats, bears, sea 
lions and walrus. The term "game birds" shall include waterfowl, 
commonly known as ducks, geese, brant and swans; shore birds, 
commonly known as plover, snipe and curlew, and the several 
species of grouse and ptarmigan. Nothing m this act shall anect 
any law now in force in Alaska relating to the fur seal, sea 
otter, or any fur-bearing animal other than bears and sea lions, or 
prevent the killing of any game animal or bird for food or cloth- 
ing by native, Indians or Eskimo, or by miners, explorers or 
travelers on a journev when in need of food; but the game animals 
or birds so killed shall not be shipped or sold. . 
Sec 2. That it shall be unlawful for any person in Alaska to 
kill any wild game animals or wild birds except during the seasons 
hereinafter provided: Large b/own bears, from April 15 to June 
30 both inclusive; moose, caribou, walrus and sea lions, from bept. 
1 to Oct. 31 both inclusive; deer, sheep and mountain goats, from 
Sept. 1 to Dec. 15. both inclusive; grouse, ptarmigan, shore birds 
and water fowl, from Sept. 1 to Dec. 15, both inclusive: Provided, 
That the Secretary of Agriculture is hereby authorized whenever 
he shall deem it necessary for the preservation of game animals or 
birds to make and publish rules and regulations which shall 
modi fv the close seasons hereinbefore established, or provide dii- 
ferent' close seasons for different parts of Alaska, or place further 
restrictions and limitations- on the killing of such animals or birds 
in any given locality, or to prohibit killing entirely for a period 
not exceeding five years in such locality. 
Sec 3 That it -dial] be unlawful for any person at any time to 
kill any females or vearlings of moose, caribou, deer, or sheep, or 
for anv one person to kill in any one year more than the number 
specified of each of the following game animals: Two moose, 
walrus, or sea lions; four aaribou, sheep, goats, or large brown 
hears; eight deer; or to kill or have in possession in any one day 
more than ten grouse or ptarmigan, or twenty-five shore birds or 
water fowl. .. . 
That it shall be unlawful for any person at any time to hunt 
with hounds, to use a shotgun larger than number 10 gauge or 
anv gun other than that which can be fired from the shoulder or 
to 'use steam launches or any boats other than those propelled by 
oars or paddles in the pursuit of game animals or birds. And the 
Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to make and publish such 
further restrictions as he may deem necessary to prevent undue 
destruction of wild game animals or wild birds. 
Sec 4 That it shall be unlawful for any person or persons at 
anv time to sell or offer for sale any hides, skins or heads of any 
game animals or birds in Alaska, or to sell or offer for sale 
therein, any game animals or birds or parts thereof during the 
time when the killing of said animals or birds is prohibited: .Pro- 
vided That it shall be lawful for dealers having in possession any 
game' animals or birds legally killed during the open season to 
dispose of the same within fifteen days. after the close of said 
season. _ jt s1laU be un i aw f u i f or any person, firm or cor- 
poration or their officers or agents to deliver to any common 
carrier, or for the owner, agent, or master of any vessel or for any 
other person to receive for shipment, or to have m possession 
with intent to ship, out of Alaska any hides or carcases of caribou, 
deer or parts therof, or any wild birds or parts thereof : Provided, 
That nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent the collec- 
tion of specimens for scientific purposes, the capture or shipment 
of live animals and birds for exhibition or propagation or the 
export from Alaska of specimens and trophies, under such restric- 
tions and limitations as the Secretary of Agriculture may prescribe 
an Sec PU 6 hS That any person violating any of the provisions of this 
act or anv of the regulations promulgated by the Secretary ot 
Agriculture shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon 
conviction thereof shall forfeit to the United States all game or 
bids in his possession, and all guns., traps, nets, or boats used 
in killing or capturing said game or birds and shall, be punished 
hv a fine of not more than two hundred dollars or imprisonment 
not more than three months, or by both such fine and imprison- 
ment in the discretion of the court: Provided, That upon con- 
viction for the second or any subsequent offtnse there may be 
moosed in addition a fine of fifty dollars for any violation, of 
Actions 1 and 3 and a fine of one hundred dollars for a violation 
ni Section 2 It is herebv made the duty of all marshals and 
deputy marshals, collectors or deputy collectors of customs ap- 
Dofnted for Alaska, and all officers of revenue cutters to 
St in the enforcement of this act. Any marshal or 
deputy marshal may arrest without warrant any person found 
violating any of the provisions of this act, or any of the regulations 
herein provided an<f may seize any game birds, or hides and any 
traps nets guns, boats, or other paraphernalia used in the capture 
oi such game or birds and found in the possession of said per- 
*L and anv collector or deputy collector of customs, or any per- 
so. 'authorized in writing by a marshal, shall have the power above 
orovtded to arrest persons found violating this act or said regula- 
Hons and seize said property without warrant to keep and deliver 
he same tra marshal or a 'deputy marshal. It shalfbe the duty 
,f the Secretary of the Treasury upon request of the Secretary of 
Vgriculture to aid in carrying out the provisions of this act. 
All communications intended for Forest and Streak should 
always be addressed to the Forest and Stream Publishing Co., and 
not to any individual connected with the paper. 
. Striped Bass of the Pacific. 
An article appeared in Forest and Stream of Jan. 25, 
entitled "The Striped Bass," from the pen of Mr. Theo- 
dore Biedinger, which has been gratefully received by 
striped bass anglers on this coast, both for the valuable 
information it contains, and for the pleasure it affords 
to those fond of this interesting oastime. This artxle 
was read before the San Francisco Striped Bass Club, and 
that body immediately resolved that a member should be 
selected to reply to that article through the column- of 
Forest and Stream, by illustratmg how this game fish 
is angled for on the Pacific coast. 
. If Mr. Biedinger and other fishermen of the Atlantic 
seaboard will kindly remember that, whereas, they have 
had the benefit of a great many years' experience bv 
themselves and others in fishing for striped bass, while 
with us the commencement of this pastime is of very 
recent date, these gentlemen will no doubt overlook our 
crude endeavors and will believe with us that in time 
we will master the art. 
The fish are here by the thousand— yes. bv the million 
= — a«. can be testified bv the fact that more than 1,000,000 
pounds were sold in the San Francisco markets last year, 
Bait Fishing. 
The bait usually used is the long-neck clam, whhich is 
found in great abundance in the shallow flats of San 
Francisco Bay and neighboring waters. Shrimps, both 
cooked and raw, shedder crab, squid, mussels, small 
salted fish and numerous other baits have been tried, but 
none of these have proven so universally successful 
as the succulent clam. The bait oar excellence for fishing 
in deep water from wharves and bridges is the live min- 
now, and as this bait is not cast, but simply lowered from 
the rod to the water, the force of the strike is much 
stronger than when received from a bait cast 90 or 100 
feet, and the pleasure is corresoondinerly greater. 
Bait-fishing is confined mostly to the shallow sloughs 
and estuaries where the tides ebb and flow. Bass are 
frequently caught where, two hours later, the bottom will 
be free from water. 
If we have not had the experience of our Eastern 
friends in angling, we are at least as well equipned with 
up-to-date rods, free running reels, Cuttyhunk lines and 
Shaughnessy hooks. 
Bass, when hungry, will no doubt take anything in the 
form of a bait. Dr. Gunn, while fishing at Crockett, in 
Carquinez Straits, with a piece of raw beef for catfish, was 
surprised to land a .^-pound bass. At another time he 
caught a 12-pound bass with cooked shrimp. In July, 
1899, he caught an 8-pounder with a common kidney 
spoon with triple hooks. In 1899 he caught in one day 
seventeen bass, weighing 70 pounds. A Portuguese 
woman fishing from a wharf at the same place (Crockett) 
caught four bass and hung them in the water. Some 
mischievous person cut the cord during her absence, and 
when she returned and found that the fish were gone, she 
commenced to cry. She went on fishing, however, and at 
last quit with twenty-eight fish to her credit, and gave 
two men one dollar to carry them to her house. Messrs. 
Geo. Mitchell and Al. Wilson, while fishing together on 
Black_ John Slough last October, caught twelve fish 
weighing 123 pounds. 
All of these large catches were made with clams. The 
largest fish ever caught in these waters weighed 25% 
pounds, and was landed by Captain Ault, of Vallejo, after 
it had smashed his rod. Several have been caught weigh- 
ing 25 pounds. Any number of bass weighing over 50 
pounds have been hooked and lost. At least the victims 
said so. 
Spoon Fishing. 
But bait-fishing has practically ceased since the advent 
of the new spoon. Mr. Al. Wilson, probably the best 
known sportsman on this coast, conceived the idea that 
as striped bass lived principally on small fish, a spoon 
could be made that would deceive them, and. after innu- 
merable experiments, he has perfected a lure which in a 
few months has revolutionized the sport, and relegated 
the clam to the chowder and the frying pan. On July 27 
last year, in company with Mr. O. W. Jackson, he 
went to San Pablo Bay. Mr. Wilson had roughly ham- 
mered out a spoon which he thought would be a "killer," 
and attached it to Mr. Jackson's line. Taking a skiff 
and rowing out a short distance, Mr. Jackson was soon 
fast to a striped bass, which, when landed, weighed 9 
pounds. The spoon was a No. 4 B. 
These spoons were then manufactured and placed on 
the market. Anglers who used them met with such 
success that they immediately discarded bait. To illus- 
trate how successful the spoon has been, a few of the 
principal catches are here given : 
Aug. 9, off Belvedere Island, Messrs. Carroll and Lut- 
trell caught nine bass weighing 99^2 pounds, an average of 
more than 11 pounds to the fish. 
On Sept. 22 Mr. O. W. Jackson caught one weighing 
25 pounds. This fish had a field mouse in its stomach 
This gentleman also caught at 195^-pounder in Raccoon 
Straits on Oct. 24, 
On Oct. 18, in Raccoon Straits, Messrs. McFarland and 
Jackson caught eight bass that weighed 83^ pounds, the 
largest tipping the scales at 13 pounds. 
These spoons are now made in three sizes. The first 
and smallest is called the 4 B, and is 2^ inches long and 
a trifle more than % inch wide. The second one put on 
the market is numbered 5 B, and is inches long and 
1 1-16 inches wide. The last one that Mr. Wilson has 
perfected is the largest and the most popular size among 
anglers. In fact, the two smaller sizes have been entirely 
discarded, excepting in the shallow sloughs and flats, 
where the No. 5 B is still used. The No. 6 B is 4H 
inches long and I 3-16 inches wide. 
These spoons are long and narrow, shaped like a table 
knife blade, rounded at the ends and concave. . They are 
also bowed, so that when lying on a flat surface, concave 
