10 
FOREST AND STREAM 
§un mill §ifh. 
GAME IN SEASON FOR FEBRUARY. 
TOO. FLORIDA. 
Deer, Wild Turkey, Woodcock, Quail, Snipe, Duck* and Wild Fowl, 
l Under the head of "dame, ana ifun in Sea^ n" w» can :my speci- 
fy in general terms the teoerul varie'Ue, because 'he laws of Shuts vary 
so much Unit were we lo al tempi to particularize we could do no less 
than publish those entire sections that relate to the kiwis of tjame in 
question. This would 'ey nil e a (jrrat amount ((four space. Indeeig- 
nallnq yams we are guided by the laws of nature, ujton which all legis- 
lation is founded, and our readers would do well lo provide thenudr.es 
with the laws of their ns/iec/tre Slates for constant reference. Otherwise, 
our allmint* to assist them will only create confusion . ] 
Game In Market.— The approaching close of the open 
season is cheapening game of almost every description. 
Prairie hens are plentiful at 50@75o. per pair ; ruffled 
grouse, 75c@$l ; quail, $2@2 50 per dozen ; cauvas-btick 
ducks, $3@2 50 per pair ; red-hcads, $1@1 50; mallards, 
75c@$l ; widgeon, 75 cenls ; brant, $I@l 25 ; wild geese, 
$1@1 50; Guinea fowl, 75c© $1 per pair ; wild turkeys, 
25 cents per pound . rabbits, 50 cents per pair ; hares, 50@ 
75c.; Bay snipe, 75c©$l per dozen ; plover, $2©2 50. We 
have seen in market a few of those beautiful and delicious 
little birds, the Canada bunting, selliug at 75c@$l per 
dozen ; also a few spruce grouse and mountain grouse, tho 
hitter from Wisconsin. 
— Wild fowl were never known lo be so numerous as 
they nre this sensou in the vicinity of Ncwbern, North 
Carolina, aud good shooting will be had there all the season 
until warm weather comes again. 
— Woodcock are now laying iu the vicinity of Norfolk, 
Virginia. Next month snipe shooting will be good at Great 
Bridge. 
—The Staten Island Shooting Association, with head- 
quarters at Port Richmond, offer a reward of twenty 
dollars for information which will lead to the conviction of 
any person violating the laws for the protection of quail, 
woodcock, rabbits and hares. 
Niout Shooting.— O ur esteemed correspondent, II. C. 
Magoon, of Nebraska, who is a veteran hunter, sends us 
' some valuable hints on shooting at night. He does not ap- 
prove of the very general use of the rifle at such time, be- 
cause it is almost impossible to sec the hind sight, let alone 
the front one, if the muzzle is covered by an object, lie 
prefers a double barrelled shot gun, one barrel to be louded 
with ball and thick buckskin patch and the other with 
buck shot chambered, four chambers being better Ilian 
three. Last Fall Mr. Magoon accomplished the excep- 
tional feet of killing two deer at a right and left shot, with 
his gun loaded in this manner. 
— From our spirited contemporary Der Waidmann pub- 
lished in Leipsic, we learn that on the 6th of this month 
the sportsmen of the Empire were to celebrate the annual 
feast of Diana at Berlin on an unusual scale. Delegations 
and contributions of trophies of the chase were expected 
from ever)' portion of the German Confederation, und we 
shall look with interest for a report of this unique gather- 
ing. 
Canada, Quebec , February 6, 1875. — I never saw so many 
ptarmigan in our markets as this Winter. A lurge number 
of cariboo and some moose have been killed near Quebec. 
Our Winter has been uncommonly severe. 
J. M. Le M. 
Paris, Ontario, February.5, 
Editor Forest and Stream : 
This being the close of the seasou for almost all kinds of 
game in the provinces, those Nimrods who wish to keep 
their breech-loaders in active service, have to do it almost 
entirely at tho expense of the hares ; and, by the way, I 
think it is very pretty sport. Have had some grand fun 
during the past few weeks with the hounds hunting the 
aforementioned interesting little auiraal, hut it remain 
ed for Wednesday of the past week to crown my efforts 
with success as regards that particular pursuit. For upon 
that day, accompanied by a friend aud one very staunch 
and reliable hound, we started in our cutter going about 
five miles west of this poiutto a swamp in Burford, for the 
purpose of securing, if possible, an old hare, that has here- 
tofore defied the most strenuous efforts put forth by numer- 
ous and sundry persons for his capture. We hastened to 
put ouv dog into the swamp upon our arrival there, and in 
less than ten minutes time lie had started the gentlemau, 
and then the fun commenced. It seemed as if they must 
have traveled over every foot of ground iu that very largo 
swamp, aud it would seem at times us if you could hear the 
hound give touguo a mile away. Wc took stands, and cut 
across, endeavoring to head him off, but all to no purpose, 
for it seemed as if he never traveled twice within a space 
of a hundred or more yards, aud it was not until almost 
dark, aud after it had been run for more than foui hours; 
that! finally had the honor of bagging the rascal. 
Very truly yours, F. B. Farnsworth. 
Florida, New Smyrna, February 5.— Upwards of a hun- 
dred settlers are on the way here from the West to locate 
on the Halifax River. 
Cummings, of the New York Sun, is stopping at the 
Ocean House at New Smyrna. 
I sec you, us well as others, call everything iu this sec- 
tion Iudian River. Now, as you cross the water-shed south 
of the Malanzus you strike the Halifax River, which ex- 
tends to Mosquito Inlet, and (or twelve miles south of the 
Iulet it is called Hillsborough River; thence for some four- 
teen miles it is called Mosquito Lagoon ; this is sepernledfrom 
Indian River by a strip ot laud at what is known as the 
Haul Over, a canal of eight hundred yards in width; thence 
Indian River to Jupiter. It is nil kuown as the Indian 
River country, but Indiau River proper is twenty miles 
or so south ot this place. All these livers are nothing 
more nor less than inlnnd sens. 
We are having capital weather for sportsmen. Sheep- 
head fishing prime. Yours truly, George J. Alden. 
Siiapshooting. — Mr. Lewis, the well known gun dealer 
and rifle-maker, of Troy, New York, is to soon shoot, on a 
bet of $50 that lie can kill a turkey at one mile, with a rifle 
of his own make, iDside ot the cost of the turkey ($2.50) nl 
ten cents per shot, or in twenty -five shots. Last year he did 
it at 1,200 yards in the 14th, we believe. Mr. Lewis ought 
to enter iu the American team for the International match 
at Dublin next June. He will be needed. 
— Col. Wingate, to whom was presented the commemo- 
rative cup knowm as the “Leech Cup,” has turned it over 
to the Amateur Rifle Club, to be shot for on the following 
terms, according to a resolution adopted at a meeting of 
the executive committee of the Amateur Rifle Club, held 
January 23d, 1875: — 
llesolred. That in order to commemorate the recent victory ot the Am- 
erican team In the international rifle match, and il- n mark of respect to 
the donor, the silver cup presented by Major Leech be known us the 
"Leech Cup." and be shot for upon the first Saturday of June iu each 
year at Crecdmoor upon the following conditions, viz:— Rifle, not to ex- 
ceed ten pounds in weight; minimum pull of trigger, three pounds. 
Matches to be open to nil citizens of the United States, und all members 
of the Amateur Rule Club, irrespective of citizenship. Sights, ammuni- 
tion, and marking to be in accordance with printed regulations in force 
ot Crecdmoor Ranges, SOI). WOO, aud 1,000 yards. Number of shots, 
fifteen ut each range by each competitor. Position, any; no ariillcial rest 
to be used for either the rifle or person of the shooter. All matches to 
be under the supervision of the Amateur lfifle Club, The winner to hold 
the cup during one year, and to be entitled during that period to the 
title of "Chuinplon of America." and, in uddition, to receive from the 
club a suitable medal, to be tils ow n private property Winners of me 
cup will be required, before seeming it, to give security for its safe re- 
turn In double its value, to be approved by the executive committee. 
— We learn that Col. Wingate having received an official 
request, has consented to act as umpire for the California 
team in the coining match at Creedmoor. The Californians 
are to he congratulated upon their good fortune in having 
obtained such able representation. 
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE AMERICAN TEAM. 
The interest that has been taken in the recent Interna- 
tional Rifle match is strikingly shown by the follow-ing let- 
ter from the American Rifle Club of Lima, Peru, recently 
forwarded through Mayor Do Gross. This Club was or- 
ganized by llie well known Henry Meigs, the Railroad 
King of South America, together with a number of the 
most prominent Americans in Lima, shortly after the In- 
ternational mutch. 
Secretary's Office American Rifle Club, i 
Lima, November lbth, 1874 ( 
To Col. Georue W. Wingate, 
President of the Amateur Rifle Clnb, New York. 
Sir— Tbe American Rifle Club of Limn cannot allow this opportunity 
to pass without expressing to you. ns the representative and President of 
the Amateur Rifle Association of New York, our sincere congratulations 
for the brilliant victory achieved by tbe valiant inarkamcn under your 
guidance over worthy antagonists. The range of your rifle was not so 
limited but that every hit made In the targets struck also the chord of 
American sympathy in Peru 
Accept, sir, us u proof of our homage to an association now the envied 
model of the world, and which numbers amongst its members the fore- 
most riflemen who have drawn trigger, the accompanying certificate con- 
stituting you an honorary member of our club. Be pleased to learn that 
the same token of appreciation, however slight it may be, from a body 
endeavorlng to emulate the example offered by the contending heroes nt 
Crecdmoor, has also been extended to the Captain of the Irish team, 
We have the honor to remain, sir, your most obedient, fnithfui ser- 
vants Chas. S, Rand, President, 
F, L, Crosby, Secretary. 
To which Col. Wingate respouded as follows: — 
Gentlemen— I have duly received your favor of November 16th, 1874, 
with the enclosed certitloute of honorary membership in your club, and I 
have no hesitation in saying that no occurrence with tho international 
rifle match has given me more sincere pleasure than this very unexpected 
and handsome compliment, which is the more appreciated ns coming 
from my countrymen in a foreign land. The Amateur Rifle Club ac- 
cepted the challenge which led to the match with many misgivings as to 
their right to speak for American riflemen. They have throughout re- 
cognized the responsibility, at times almost painfully, that rests upon 
them as representatives of their country, und have spared uo pains or 
precautions to see that no discredit should rest upon it. They feel natu- 
rally gratified at their triumph, which wns won against obstacles that few 
are aware. But they feel still more so ut finding their labors so warmly 
acknow ledged by yourselves and other members of the club, as well as 
myself. I desire to make my most sincere acknowledgement for your 
kill I wishes, und trust that your own success us riflemen will he nil that 
you have described for us. 
G. W. Winoate, President Amntem Rifle Club. 
THE SHELL QUESTION. 
Hannibal, Mo., February, 1870. 
Editor I'orkst and Stream : — 
1 have been an ntton tlve leader of llie letters brought out by the shell 
discussion us well as the gun subject, brought up by “Side Lever" and 
others. Now and then tome old expert sneers at the ideas of the tyros, 
forgetting that they were once iu that same class. Let all give their ex- 
perience and offer tlielr suggestions. The crude ideas of the beginner 
often draw out t he views and results obtained by the veteran, w hich 
might never have been given lmd they not been provoked by some absurd 
statements. Intelligent discussion tends to improve; and although gun 
anil shell manufacturers may smile at the statements made and conclu- 
sions drawn by the sportsman, they may notv and then find that the 
user of an nrticlo. if he be a carernl observer, may discover faults that 
the manufacturer has not . The theoretical mechanism may be apparently 
right, but fail in practical working. 
One correspondent states that 1 claimed that a gentleman had trouble 
in extruding his shells, because he w as using paper ones I and ilieu 
denies Unit such was the case. I did state that he was nsiug paper 
•hells and had the trouble ns mentioned, and that It would not have oc- 
curred hud he been using nielul ones I wrote advisedly, and knew of 
what I wrote, aud reassert what I before stated. When tho correspondent 
from Mississippi states that the fault was iu the extract or, I would be 
pleased to have him state hoio he knows— did he over see the gun? 
Suppose 1 admit that the extractor was faulty, which I do not, how does 
he know that one side of the baso did not part company with the paper, 
and being pushed on one side ullow the extractor to slip past, which was 
the case? und |6 he prepared to say that had the party been using metal 
shells they would not hnve extracted without trouble? 1 presume not. 
The gentleman has thrown away one Bhell because he could not extract 
the cap, and has another in tho same fix, that no doubt proves their 
worthlessness. That all metal shells nre made without a fault, it w ould be 
absurd to claim, and when I find a fault In any, either metal or pup r, I 
am very ready to state it; and if all would do so, the manufacturers 
would be more careful. 1 would remark, en passant, that if the man- 
ufacturers or the Sturtevant shell Uo not make them better than the lust 
lot I saw. I shall be as ready to condemn thorn as anyone The anvils 
were so frail that two had beeu brokeu off without having been used, mul 
the metal at the bottom of the cap recess was so thin that I doubt not 
that a powerful lock would soon drive the anvil through, ns 1 have seen in 
more than one that used Hie OrciRt primer. Frequently ..the cup recess 
is tight and the cap extracts hard, aud when the primer is left on for a 
time after firing it corrodes, and then is somewhat difficult to extract 
When the recess Is small, by trimming tho sides with a knife, it is cosily 
enlarged. The primers should be punched off on return from the day’s 
shoot; and it is an excellent idea to put In the cap box a piece of sponge 
or cloth saturated with oil; by so doing a cap will seldom ever stick. I 
am like Dr. Coucs, willing to concede to paper shells all that can be 
claimed for them, but will do by them the same as I do by the metal 
point out their Imperfections in the hope that tho makers will improve 
them. 
Dr. C. covers the whole ground when he states that “theoretically 
metal shells are dangerous, but practically they are not ” So good an 
authority as he, ought to convince the most timid, und this lius.bcen the 
most prominent objection. 
Il is very nutural for the Doctor to take tho side of paper shells, from 
the fact that the cost and expense, aiul trouble of loading docs not cut 
any figure with him, and a? I have before stated, for such the paper 
shell is all that is required. Yet, In the words of an old sportsman, "It 
is a sound maxim that even In our pleasures wc should practice u judi- 
cious economy." 
The Doctbr complains of the trouble of carrying the empty shells and 
the trouble of reloading, and yet many a good sportsman saves and re- 
loads his paper cases, and it is much more trouble than to reload metal 
ones. 
That metal shells sometimes arc not interchangeable between guns of 
the same caliber is true, but it may he u debatable question w hether or not 
the non-iiulformlty of chambering is more the fault than that the shell 
would not lit two sizes. The metal shell mude by the U. M. C. Co. are 
more nnform in size than any paper shell 1 ever saw. I have a line gun, 
by a first-class maker, that would not take some paper shells that I have 
hud, and would not close on some that could be inserted, on account of 
the thickness of the rim, a fault complained of in met nl shells; and it 
may be a mooted question whether It is tho fault of the gun or the shell. 
If the gun had been countersunk u little deeper, or tho rim had been a 
little thinner the gun would have closed: which was ut fault? The Draper 
shell particularly have very thick rims, and will seldom lit. unless tho 
countersink is deep. Facts aud figures are asked for as to the sui>eriorlty 
of the shooting qualities of the metal shell. I give an instance from 
memory ns the record which I have kept for a long time I could not put 
my hand on when wan ed: the charge was 4 drs. and ifroz. No.tiSt 
Louis shot; average of six shots 40 yds. 80 in. circle, 144 with paper, lti.q 
with metal. The penetration I do not remember exactly, but it w as from 
18 to 20, the best with the metal shell. This was done with a gun 
chambered lo use metal shell, aud not as are the majority with whioh 
tests are made, regulated to shoot with paper shell, 1 have a 12 gague 
7j ll>. No. 12 gun that makes a peneiration of 40 sheets or Pettit s paper 
pads with W & P. No. 6 shot. 40 yards, und wheu any gun using paper 
shell heats It I hope to hear about it. 
Since my last on the shell question, I have had some unpleasant ex- 
periences with paper shells. Once on n match hunt I had six or eight 
missflres from them; again I was out after turkeys, auil flushing a 
ruffed grouse I changed a shell for one with smaller shot, and 
put in a paper one; a little snow rattled down us I opened tile 
gun and scattered uhout the action, some of it probably getting on the 
shell. I did not have occasion to open my gun again until at night on my 
return, when I found myself in the same fix tlmt Dr. C. did with his 
metal shell, hut did what I respectfully suggest to him and all others iu 
do when caught in that way -take ttie fore end off at once, and then the 
barrels w ill come out of the action without trouble. The mewl shell I 
lmd in one barrel came out readily, but the paper one I had to drive oat 
with a wash rod; and so firmly wns it fastened in, that it tore in two; 
the lower half and the charge being pushed out, leaving the upper half 
still fflst in the gun, It is not difficult to imagine what a predicament I 
would hnve been in hud I had occasion lo open my gun while in the field. 
The chamber of the gun is full large, so that a paper shell usually cornua 
out with ihe utmost ease. 
The chambers of many guns are now so tapered to make the point of 
the shell tit tight and prevent the oscjpe of gas, that they must bo very 
clean, and the shell not swelled at all, or it will stick I have two gnus 
of the same caliber, but there is so much difference in the size or the 
chambers tlmt a paper shell will not interchange after having been once 
used in the larger one, much less u metal one. ami I can't see that tho 
fuult is in the shell, as they will insert iu the smaller chamber before 
being tired. 
When I first used a breech loader I had one in which there was no 
square shoulder, but a graduul taper from the full size of tbo chamber to 
the barrel size, tho taper being nbont five-eighths of ini inch long. I used 
paper shells, not filling them full, and cut the shell tbe length of tho 
charge I wns unable to obtain the penetration d, -sired, and beguu to 
study the cause. It soon occurred to me that too much windage was 
caused by gas escaping past the pow der wad when it passed from the 
end of the shell to the taper of tho chamber. As stated by “Side 
Lever," 1 then commenced to nsc metal shells and a forced wad to ob- 
viate it. 
All of the guns that I examined at that time were chambered in tho 
the same way; and It occurcd to mo that this was one reason why more 
powder wus required for a B. L. than for a M L. I opened a corres 
pondcncc with various gtinmukers on the subject, and also wrote the 
matter up in T. F. Sc, b\, (Forest and Stream at tlmt time not having 
made it's bow to the public.) I stated tlmt 1 believed were a sportsman 
willing to confine himself to metal shells he could get the best results by 
having a gun chambered with u square shoulder the thickness of the side 
of the shell and have thq caliber of the barrel and shell precisely the 
same. Then as perfect a cylinder would be obtained as in the M. L. I 
1 did not say a straight cylinder, as suggested by “Side Lever," for it is 
the exception and not the rule tlmt u straight cylinder will do good shoot- 
ing, bat w ith such u gun wire cartridges and back shot could he usod as 
well as inn M. L. There would be no windage, and less powder would 
be required: there would be less recoil, and 1 believe excellent shooting 
w ould be obtained by using a Torced wad. To prove tlmt I had faith in 
It, 1 ordered a gun from on eminent English maker, built as stated above 
During the building of it l met the maker and told him that lie might try 
and find a happy medium for the gauge of barrel, so tlmt either paper or 
metal shell could be used; and also suggested thut the chumbots ou-ht to 
he made the exact length of the shell, and In using a paper enre there 
should be a square shonlder the thickness of the shell, und then a 
gradual taper to the gunge of the barrel, and that the paper shell ought 
not to bo cut off. bat used full length. When my gun came to hand It 
lmd a square shoulder, but the caliber of the barrel was smaller than 
that of tho metal shell, leaving a projecting edge over the end of the 
shell. This I had taken off. giving a long taper to it. I tried the gun 
thoroughly and it was satisfactory. Large charges cun boused without 
unpleasant recoil, and I believe there is much less mashing of shot than 
by the sudden contraction. I communicated llm results obtained to the 
builder of the gun, and since tlmt time most of the guns I have seen of 
his manufacture have been chambered in that way. In the use of paper 
shells it is no doubt necessary to tiuve the gauge of the barrel less than 
that or the shell, to compress tnc wad sufficiently to prevent windage. 
There may be better modes of chambering as suggested by "I’nder Grip," 
and if so, 1 shall be pleased to see them Introduced. 
One wriier states that it is necessary to have the metal shell the full 
length of the chamber to oblnm good shooting; but I believe it is not so 
important as to have the paper ones full, there being less chance of 
windage. Hopingthat others will give the result of their experiment — 
for if many of ns are wrong, some may he right, mid a hotter understand- 
ing the result-is the wish of Herbert. 
Il is noticeable, notwithstanding the freezing weather, 
thut Miss-skaters nre very numerous everywhere in l lie 
neighborhood of ponds and water courses 
