1875 
4:3 
LETTHBS FBOM SPOBTSME^^. 

A Colleclor’s Rambles- 
Colfax, Col., March 27. 
Editor Eod add Gun: 
We had been having good weather for several days previously, 
and had set March 1st as the day to start. The day opened stormy, 
and by noon the enow fell heavily ; but as “ a bad begiunin_g makes 
a good ending,” we set out. Considerable snow fell, making slow 
traveling with a wagon. It began to meit the next day and was soon 
gone. Occasionally the weather would be too cold for comfortable 
traveling. At such times, we would lay over a day or two Some- 
times the wind would blow hard at night, making our tent shake 
and flap so that we could hardly sleep. March is a disagreeab e 
month for camping out in this country. We crossed the Arkansas 
river at Florence. Some geese were flying and occasionally we saw 
ducks. Game had been scarce so far, and we had killed nothing but 
a few rabbits. Winter birds were tolerably plenty in some places. 
Prairie dogs were out in abundance, but since we crossed the Ar- 
kansas we have seen none. Crossed the West Mountains through 
the Oak Creek Pass. The next day we saw some deer, and killed a 
dusky grouse (refroo obscurus). These grouse seem to prefer the 
coldest places they can And, as they stay in the spruce trees on the 
north sides of the mountains At Rosita we went iuto some of the 
silver mines. These have not been long opened, but seem to be 
paying well. The next day (18) snow fell to the depth of fifteen 
inchee. We drove into the Wet Mountain Valley at the foot of the 
Sangre de Cristo range, and concluded to stop until the snow went 
off. Game is scarce here as the valley is well settled. A few days 
ago I tried climbing the mountains, but found the snow getting 
deeper the farther I went. I wanted to get up to the timber line to 
see if any ptarmigan could be found, but gave out before I got high 
enough; I hope to be more successful in a few days. 
Jays of various kinds, and magpies have been quite plenty. The 
latter are very diflicult to approach. On the 9th, I saw a large flock 
of robins; have also seen Jack snipe and meadow larks. Birds are 
rather scarce here, so we shall push on to San Luis Valley as soon 
as possible, where 1 hope to find something worthy of record. 
Stephen. 
Rod and Gun and Other Things 
Milford, X. H., April 5. 
Editor of Rod and Gun; 
By the last number I notice (as I do everything that your valua- 
ble paper contains, being a constant reader since its first publica- 
tion) that some one suggests a reduction in price of Tnt Rod and 
Gun. Now, 1 am not a little surprised that any sportsman should 
think of getting such a friend for less than S4.00 a year. I for one 
I think we all got double our money’s worth, and if I should suggest 
any new fea/ure, it would be to give us a little more paper and ink, 
and charge us a little more scrip. There is one thing, however, that 
1 would like changed, that is, to a smaller sheet with more pages, so 
that when we get them bound, the size would make a better shaped 
volume for our library, but presuming that you know more about 
the expense of such a change, than I do, I am not disposed to find 
fault with the present issue as long as we get two dollars for one. 
Perhaps our friends who wish to get more paper for less money had 
better compare the Rod and Gun with other sporting papers, if 
they should, as I have, we should hear no more about reducing pri- 
ces. I have at times taken nearly if not all the sporting papers pub- 
lished in the State3,’but none in my estimation can be compared 
with The Rod and Gun. I expect when the new heading comes 
oat, our hats will go up and that everybody will be satisfied with the 
price . 
Next Tuesday, the annual meeting of the New Hampshire *• Fish 
and Game League” comes off at Manchester, you will probably hear 
reports from us as we are alive in spite of the cold winter, and 
sahll send some whole-souled sportsman o it to Cleveland next 
year. 
Rifle clubs are being agitated in some parts of our State, and be 
fqre many months we hope to hear more good organized associa 
tions of members that will “stand up and shoot like men” too. 
When time will permit I wan’t to tell the readers of the Rod and 
Gun what we New Hampshire boys think about laying down in the 
dirt to shoot a rifle. At present will only say “tain't our style.” 
We are beginning to look over the trout lines, and to think of 
loading up a few shells for a stray duck or two, but as yet, sporting 
looks pretty much frozen up, as do some of onrgame detectives; 
hoping that the oflicers having charge of the appointments of our 
game detectives the coming year, will be more paiticnlar in the 
selection, than they were last, as we think this a matter worth look- 
ing alter somewhat. Sporis>ian. 
The Latest Cooking Idea- 
Metamora , III., April 2. 
Editor Rod and Gun: 
I ehoot a great deal, but it ie an uncommon occurrence for me to 
hit what I shoot at . This fact alone giv- s me a keen relish for your 
valuable paper, which I receive regularly through one of our news 
dealers. I am not like the old woman, who, on finding that the 
frost had nipped her beans, thanked heaven for the consoling re- 
flection that her neighbors would'nt have any. If I do frequently 
return after a hard days tramp with an empty bag, it does not des- 
troy my fondness for perusing an able paper which chronicles the 
success of others. I have read with great interest the articles in 
your “I^ettcrs from Sportsmen," in regard to shells. I, like many 
amateurs, am not verj’ familiar with breech-loaders, and any infor- 
mation we can obtain through the letters of experienced sportsmen 
and gunners concerning shells, charges, sizes of shot, etc., will he 
thankfully received. 
In the columns of a certain (would be) sporting paper, I read 
about three weeks ago, the following receipt for cooking coon. My 
appetite was stirred to its innermost depths, for I was fearful that 
epicureanism was fast becoming a thing of the past. The versatile 
author, who writes over the signature of “Juno," says: ‘‘Last fall 
Jim and I was overtaken by darkness off in the woods, and not 
knowing the way home in consequence of the darkness, we decided 
to camp under the shelter of a big tree. We had killed a very large, 
fat coon about dusk and we decided to cook it for our supper* See* 
ing a light glimmering throtigh the woods, I di^patch^ d Jim to 
procure a pot or other vessel in which to cook it, and by the time I 
had dress«'d the game he returned with a large stew-pot and beintr a 
good beggar, he had procured pepper, salt, vinegar, and a small cup 
full of tomato catsup. We got some water, filled the pot, and when 
the game began to' get tender we poured in the pepper, salt, vinegar, 
and other seasoning, and in twenty minutes there ifier we were en- 
joying one of the most pleasant suppers i evor ate. The seasoning 
gave a relish, and the juicy meat was delicious. I am now living on 
the prairie, about ten miles from timber, but I*am resolved next 
fall to travel that distance with my dog, “Zip." for a general coon 
hunt, if it lakes all next summer to crib my corn " Now, Mr. Edi- 
tor. just think of that dish will you. Stewed coon, vinegar and 
tomato catsup. After reading that receipt I retired to rest with a 
gnawing appetite. I dreamed I was alone in the deep tangled wild- 
wood, far from home and friends, with a ground hog under each 
arm. The setting sun refiected a soft mellow light over valley, hill 
top and mountain, gilding the lofty tree tops with a golden splen- 
dor, such as I had never seen before. The robin aiid his mate 
hopped merrily from branch to branch, and the thrush made the for- 
est ring with his mellow music, while at no great distance a “wood- 
pecker" was busily engaged boring a hole for his night's lodging, 
apparently for the purpose of mocking my homeless conditicu. 
Had it not been for this I could have enjoyed the beauty of the nat- 
ural scenery around me, but a feeling ot loneliness stole over me, 
and 1 ‘’decided" to camp for the night. On nearing a large, spread- 
ing elm tree, whose branches were so closely interlocked as to 
almost exclude the twilight, imigiue' my surprise and delight at 
finding a blazing fire, beside which was an oyster can tilled with to- 
mato catsup. After skinning and preparing my “game," I roasted 
it, occasionally sprinkling the younger hog with a litlW “ season- 
ing." When it was sufficiently cooked, I took one taste, and in the 
ecttacy of the moment exclaimed — “Ha o-up-big-lnjun." The ex- 
clamation awoke my wife, who, thinking I had the night-mare, 
aroused me before I had lime to take another swallow. I sfmpu- 
thise with our friend “Juno," and in the absence of his favorite 
“game," (which of course he cannot find on the prairie,) 1 would 
recommend the following as a substitute. I have read the receipt 
to several lovers of "stewed coon," and they think it is just the 
thing. Here it is: " Place a common tin spittoon on the stove, re- 
move the lid and pour ilito it four ounces of machine oil, when the 
oil begins to simmer, pour in equal quantities of plum j illy and 
grated sour kraut; add to this two ounces each of Spalding’s pre- 
pared glue and shoemaker’s wax; stir the whole together, and when 
thoroughly mixed spread thickly on thin slices of Limberger cheese. 
Serve hot." 1 have heard that the addition of half-paper of sarpet 
tacks would increase the flavor and facilitate digestion, but we have 
never tried it that way, not in our family. W. M. J, 
Read the Ads- 
Montello, Wis., April 2. 
Editor Rod and Gl-n; 
I have noticed frequently in the “ Queries ” of correspondents, 
questions whicli if the writers took the trouble to scan the adver- 
tising columns of your journal would he found readily answered and 
thus save both themselves and the Editor considerable lime and 
trouble. For instance, one will ask "where a good setter, pointer.or 
spaniel could be obtained,” w hen in nearly every issue of The Rod 
AND Gun, such dogs are advertised for sale by reliable men. Con- 
sider how vexatious must be the task of answering such questions 
each week, when they are practically answered in every issue. Per- 
haps no columns are more generally slighted tlian that of “Wants 
and Exchanges,” kindly set aside for the sportsmen’s benefit in 
advertising their “wants,” etc., at the small outlay of 50c. for three 
lines. But many of the readers hastily skip over this as of no in- 
terest to them, when tlierein, perhaps, lies the answer to the queries 
tliey are so persistently putting upon the Editor. The advantages 
of this column should he appreciated both by the advertiser and 
general reader ol The Rod and Gun. Fred. 
Must Take A Hack- 
Newark, N. J., April 5. 
Editor Rod and Gun; 
I am obliged to you for yonr kind note and paper, and will always 
be glad to do all in my power to give a helping hand to any sport 
I am a lover of good anything ; I love a good dog, and the gun and- 
rod, and always try and have them. I hope we will have a club 
here before long ; we have a great many fine men here who like the 
sport and are willing to pay for it, and would do all they could to 
help keep game over. 1 have not killed many snipe as yet. I was 
down in South Jersey shooting with i'. Taylor, a good spotter and 
a kind friend to all. His old one-eyed dog was up to time and 
worked good, although a little too fat. I was to lock on, us I have 
been under the doctor’s care some time, tmt I could not stand see- 
ing the dog stand and I not have a hand in, so I took a hand in and 
1 think I am much better. M'e had a good afternoon’s shoot, and 
got home all safe. I think if you could linve seen us go through the 
mud and water, you would not think we were ever clean or ever 
had any regard for our appearance. Who would stop if they had a 
dog on a point and a gun in hand, and were sure the point meant 
English snipe. Like Washington, I should have to give them a 
hack even if I should spoil things. A. R. B. 
Advice Taken. 
, Thomaston, Conn., March 29. 
Editor of Rod and Gun: ^ 
The sportsmen of Thomaston Conn., wishing to form a sports- 
men’s club, direct me to write to you for a copy of by-laws of some 
other club, so as to be able to form a better idea on the matter. 
This has been always a good loealiiy for game, btit trapptug atid 
snaring have been done of late years on such a scale as to almost 
leave us nothing. Taking the adviee of your paper we are going to 
see if we cannot put a stop to it and I hope tliat you will hear of 
the doings of oni- future club. There are some Parker guns around 
here, and they perform all very good. I understand tliat most 
sitortsineu swear by their Parker’s, so yon see as natural we will 
try to bring game back in this region, there will also In- want. d 
more Parker guns. Please be so kind as to send me the much 
wanted bye-laws as soon as possible, as we want to be started as 
soon as this week, so as to he able to send to New York for Quails 
to stock the old grounds. A Brother of liou and Gun. 
Deer Wounds-— A Deer Park- 
Vandalia, Mich., April 1. 
Editor Rod and Gun: 
I have a farm of lUOO acres of land which lies between ns in the 
fork of the Me. A. L. R R. and the Chicago *fe L^ke Huron R. R. 
It is worth one hundred dollars per acre. I harvested last year from 
a field of 130 acres, 40 bushels of wheat per acre; the year of 1873. I 
harvested 10,000 bushels of corn, sold 2(50 hogs (Polands and Berk) 
mixed, average weight 3201b8. Have .‘XX) head of fine wool sheep, 
average weight of fleeces 8lbs.: 80 head of steers, a small herd of 
full blood sliort-horn cattle, a number of good hors s. etc. 1 have a 
park containing two elk. a very tine pair ; I sold seven which went 
to the King of Italy. I find no trouble in breeding them ; they re- 
quire no shelter during the winter, and can be kept cheaper and 
easiei than cattle. I purchased four buffalo calves last fall; they 
were quite young and backward about eating, and I bad the misfor- 
tune to lose them, but expect to go west in the spring in search of 
older ones. I also keep full blood wild turkeys, and wild seese and 
swans and Poland and Bramah geese, have raised 1(X) wild turkeys a 
year I have not so many at the present time. I have had in my park 
seven deer at one time, but they were n^t. hardy like the elk and grew 
weaker until I lost them all. 1 notice an article in youi paper as to 
whether wounds produced by deer horns are poisonous. I think I 
can safely say they are not. When I kept deer I have not unfre- 
quently had boys who would enter the park, severely used by some 
of the old buck deer ; their wounds were no more injurious than 
wounds received in any other manner. My man who fed and at- 
tended the elk was attacked one morning by a buck elk and re- 
ceived an antler wound through the thigh. He recovered about as 
soon as if the wound had been made with a sabre. A mad and an 
infuriated buck elk is a dangerous animal. I have had three armed 
men whom I allowed to enter my park for the purpose of subduing 
a mad buck, all driven out ; one man had his clothes stripped off in 
the fight and received many wounds on his body, and it was with 
great difficulty he was rescued. J. E Boninb. 
Errors and Omissions Excepted. 
St, Paul, Min.n., April 5. 
Editor Rod AND Gun: 
" Comparative Table of Close Seasons,” — A good thing! I ex- 
claimed on glancing over the columns of a New Y'ork sporting 
journal. “ Its usefulness and labor saving character are apparent.” 
Of course. “It is alone worth the subscription price of the paper.” 
Certainly. “ The table has been prepared with unusual pains and 
regard for correctness.” Indeed— glad to hear it. Well, such enter- 
prise is commendable. Ha! but what does this mean? On “ sling- 
ing my eyes” over the table they are caught by what looks very like 
an error— typographical, doubtless. But sad, to say, a little further 
attention discovers “ a few more of the same sort.” After a more 
lengthened examination, during which I sncceeded in finding one 
correct entry, I am obliged to reluctantly conclude that our Table 
may not be worth so much, as at first supposed — perhaps not more 
than half a year’s subscription! Tastes may differ, (I am ..-ure the 
compiler of that Table could not agree w ith me) but for my own 
part I should consider an uutrulhful guide-board worse than none 
at all. Now that I think of it, perhaps it was one of these “Com- 
parative Tables” that led astray a prominent church member of our 
city. This "dear, good man” was last year caught flagrante delicto, 
violating tlie statutes of the State by shooting grouse out of season 
(and fined therefor), to the no small scandalization of our virtuous 
community. But perhaps our New Y'ork friend is not to blame for 
these errors: he says, ■’All available autliorities within our reach have 
been compared together,’’ etc. No man could do more than that. 
•Y year ago our game law was altered, and probably the change has 
not been made public. Alas for this charitable supposition; an 
investigation reveals that a wide publicity was given to our new law 
sliortly after its passage, in all the leading sporting papers— The 
Amkicican Si’ORTSJiAN, lor one. This same erroneous table was 
last year printed in the same journal: that these errors have gone 
60 lung unchallenged might seem to indicate that its circulation is 
limited— a grief that will be somewhat assuaged by a few weeks’ pe- 
rusal ol its columns. It is my candid belief that the brief career of 
this New Y'ork journal has been marked by the perpetration of more 
blunders than can be found in the pages of any publication of leu 
times the age. Some of these absurdities have been noticed in the 
column.s ot this paper, but the editor of the Wood and Water 
seems to derive no benefit from these oft-repeated chastenings. 
“ Though thou shouldst bray a fool in a mortar among w heat with a 
pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him ’’ Many of 
these blunders are supremely ridiculous, and when we take iuto con- 
sideration the editor’s lofty assumntions of authoriiy they become 
simply preposterous. To show you what 1 mean, I give you an in- 
stance: Some months ago a correspondent of Wood and Water 
inquired the size of targets at w-hich shot-guns are tested. He was 
n formed I hirly inches square! L'uwilling to receive this the im 
reasonable being again propounded his question and was this time 
told to try his gun at a three inch target! Apparently satisfied the 
anxious inquirer then subsided. Best wishes for the success of 
your admirable journal in Its new name. A. J. Axe, 
Curious- 
Mr. Allred Brewster, of Tamworth.N. IL, related to us the follow- 
ing tliat came under his own personal observation Last summer he 
'liad a lien that set and hatched out a brood of nine chickens— the 
custom was to keep her tied to prevent her straying off. One day he 
and his wife were absent till near dark and when they went to see 
if tile lien and cliickens were ail safe, the hen was gone and one of 
the chickens. The next day he was moving near the edge of the 
woods, when out of the grass dashed one chicken and on looking, 
there was the mother hen dead, evidently killed by a mink or a 
weasel. He left the body then and when it w as getting dusky he 
thought he would see where the cliicken passed the night, and be. 
hold, he was sitting on his mother’s back, and he made that his 
nightly roost until she w a.s all decayed away, and tlieii he sat on the 
the bones. He stayed around there until late in the fall, and he 
said he tried several times to catch it, hut without success. When 
the nights hi I ame cool and frosty he roosted on the limb of a tree 
, that hung out nearly over the spot where the mother lay. One day I 
i misecd him, said Mr. Brewster, and sup pose an owl caught him. If 
1 any of your readers can tell us of a more singular circumstance. 1 
hoiMj they wiU bring it forward at once. J. L. H. 
