92 
!M!ay 8 
WISTERIA iTEf^S. 
Tbt ouk owx correspondents. ] 
Chicaoo. — On the lit of May, the thermometer atood as it had for 
weeks past, with bat few exceptions, at near freezing point, and a 
cold North-weet wind, while it made an overcoat very aecesssry, 
cansing the sportsman to exclaim, “If this were fall, what glorions 
dnck'Shooting it would make!" Alas! “if" stands in the way, 
and although blue-bill, teal, mallard and even canvas-back, fairly 
•warmed in our waters, “Not a shot was fired, not a funeral note (of 
dying duck) was heard,” at least in this part of Illinois, although 
across the Indiana line, where there is ao law on water-fowl, it was 
lively enough for most people, and good bags were made, though 
mostly on snipe. Colden plover are also coming in very plentifully 
and at the shoot on the Gun club grounds on Friday, several large 
fiocks came within easy range of the shooters at the score. In fact, 
the only bird at all scarce is the wild-pigeon, few being received 
alive or dead although badly wanted in either shape; dead birds 
alone commanding the very annsual figure of $1,75 per dozen. 
The only two lots of live ones received to date, (some 75 dozen) 
were secured for use on the Gun club grounds, and served the score 
of some very good snooting done at a portion of them. Daring the 
past spring our Chicago sportsmen have, had unusually good shoot- 
ing in Iowa, and how several of our most prominent ones have en- 
joyed themselves, some in quite a novel manner. Let me tell you 
about General our crack rifle shot, and the leading member 
of the executive committee of the State association. He and 
another equally well-known Chicago gentleman, boautifully sup- 
plied with everything a hunter needs, having arrived at a famous 
lake just across the line,decided to occupy but one boat for the day’s 
hunt. Well, ducks being anusually thick, each took out a email 
wagon load of ammunition, etc. After an hour or so in company, 
it was unanimously agreed that the boat was overloaded, and must 
be lightened in some way, or they could never take home what 
ducks they expected to get. A moment's thought convinced them 
that they couldn't afiord to throw overboard their ammunition, 
they might need it. Now, could one of them play Jonah? There 
was no whale handy. At length an idea. There was a large musk- 
rat bouse close by, one of t^em would get on that, take bis ammuni- 
tion along and that would lighten the boat until night, by which 
time, having shot away most of their cartridges, they could pick up 
what game they had killed, and the boat being mush lighter than in 
the morning, get home safely. The idea being suggested by 
“Aleck," he thought the General should try the rat-house, and the 
General being noted for his politeness and accommodation, also, 
thinking the rat-house might be a little the best stand, at once 
agreed. The transfer was made. The General after half an hoar's 
work, dug down into the house, throwing up in front of him 
what he removed from beneath notil quite a fair blind was the 
result, made in form of a fortification, and commanded by General 
in person. Well, pretty soon after, a nice fiock of canvas- 
backs come along up, flying very slowly against the wind. The 
General sets his teeth, writes a letter of farewell to his family, and 
resolving to door die, in the attempt, shuts his eyes, pulls both trig- 
gers at once, a flash, a rear, a splash, and the General where? Ob 
where was he? Go ask the rats, the fish, the frogs, but don't ask 
me! He says he stood in ice cold water up to his neck, and it 
seemed half an hour before be could climb into his fortification 
again, and then did so only to find his ammunition all wet and the 
old Harry raised generally. But right here came in his pluck, for 
instead of calling to “Aleck," who, quarter of a mile away, was 
having right good sport, to take him home, and thus spoiling the 
fUn of both he staid; where he was. amusing himself by empty- 
ing his boots, wringing out his pants, fishing up now and then a car- 
tridge that looked as if it woald go off, (not as he did, however,) 
and above all trying to stand still, so that his skin wouldn't come 
in contact with his cold, cold, clothes any more than was abso- 
lutely necessary. He stood it until near dark, once in a while kill- 
ing a duck when bis gun didn't snap, out of revenge, and finally 
when “ Aleck" got through his sport, was taken home by him. The 
General don't like to talk much about it, but when he does, be says 
the day seemed slightly longer than usual to him, and that his duck 
was the biggest of the lot. 
Milwausik.— In a few days the law will permit fishermen to en- 
joy their favorite sport, and already several parties are being made 
np for black bass fishing at ihe lakes about Pewankee and Ocono- 
mowoc. In fitting out yesterday, one of these parties found what 
was pronounced a charming thing in the way of black baas tackle 
the Invention of J. C. Welles, of this city. It consists simply in a 
tackle prepared by cutting about eight feet from the small end of 
a straight, well seasoned cane pole and dividing this into two joints, 
to which was added a short wooden butt about flften inches in 
length for attaching the reel. Heel-bands and ferules are then at- 
tached, standing guides put on, and then it is finished with a coat 
of varnish and the whole is ready for use, and is a tackle at once 
small, compact, and effective. 
The Sharpshooters of this city have accepted an invitation to 
send representatives to the Schutzenfest at Stuttgart, Germany, in 
August next, and have assigned to that duty Messrs. Aschermann, 
Kermaan. Haertel, Jacob Blum, Joseph Schletz, F. Bergenthal and 
J. P. Kissenger, who are all prominent members of the Sharpshoot- 
er's Association here, and mostly merchants wno expect to spend 
the summer in Europe. Ascherman and Kissenger leave for Europe 
to day. Brss. 
W. B. Haitwobth and Col. Williams of Quincy, HI., bagged 170 
Wilson's snipe in eight hour's hunt on the 14 April. Pretty lair 
work, as the birds were not particularly thick. 
Mk. T. F. Spabbow of Colorado recently shot a large pelican on 
the Platte river, which stood fully five and a half feet high, and we 
are informed that it is the first of the species ever found in that 
vicinity. 
Wants and Exchanses. 
AnvERTisKitESTS under this head are inserted at 50 cents for three 
lines. Send money with order. 
FOR SALB. — Setter dog pup. orange and white, six months old, 
extra fine — cheap. Addre s, L. L. Wells, 
89 E. 4th St., Oswego, N. Y. 
TWO SETTBR pups for sale — F ive weeks old, out of Web- 
ster's setter slut. Sire imported Gordon, black, white and tan. 
Address, Westpield, Box 5,S77, P. O. N. T. 
FOR SALE. — Gunsmith's shop and tools, complete. Lot 50x50 
feet, well improved. Good two-story building; residence in 2d 
story. Splendid locality for business. Terms easy. Address 
S. O. Bailbt, Metamora, HU 
FOR SALE. — Vole. 2 and 3 American Sportsman, bound; Vols. 
3 and 4 American Sportsman, not bound; Vols. 1 and 2 Forut and 
Stream, bound; Vol. 15 Turf. Field and Farm, bound. Josepk E. 
Fisher, 102 Sacket Streett, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
The Governor of Virginia has appointed as fish 
commissioners: Alexander Mosely, of New Kent. H. 
L. D. Lewis, of Stafford, and Dr. W- B. Robertson, of 
Lynchburg. 
Every shooting club should seek representation at 
the National Convention. 
ALL SPORTSMEN are interested in the best hunt- 
ing grounds of the South-west. The line of the Mis- 
souri, Kansas and Texas Railroad afiords untold fields 
of Game-Birds, Fish and animals. Send to General 
Passenger Agent, Sedalia, Mo , for free maps, illustra- 
tions and descriptions. Correspondence solicited. 
W. H. .>I.ICI1E.\, .\rtist, Toledo, Ohio. 
Makes a specialty of paintine single and companion 
pieces (in oil), of game and fish, — from nature only — 
Paintings for club rooms, dining rooms, &c., con- 
stantly on band. Paintings of rare birds, quadrupeds, 
or animals made to order from natural specimens. 
G. GOVE GO.^ 
Dealers in all kinds of 
Guns, Rifles, Pistols. Powder, Shot, 
Caps, Wads. Cartridges and 
Spor^smeIl’s Stipplies- 
12 Blake St., Denver, Col. 
O. GOVE. JOHN P. LOWER. FRANK CHURCH. 
STOP! Camper! Stop! 
Lightest lied Ever Known. 
POCKET BEDSTEAD. 
TRADE lURK PATENTED. 
SIDE Sticks WT on c*mp srovho’ 
CAMP-LOUNGE FOLDED 
IPigeon Traps. 
PARKBR^S 
PATENT SELF-CLOSING 
“"K” and “T” 
PLTTXGE TBAPS. 
T These traps ate made after the style of the regular plnnge traps, 
with the additional improvement — which is patented/— of so con- 
nectiDg the covers with the plnnirer — on which the bird sits, and 
from which he is thrown when the trap is operated— as to close them 
when the pioneer tails to place, and by its weight holds them down 
so that it is impossible for a bird to open the covers and escape, as 
is often the case with other plunge traps The special advantages 
claimed are that the 
TIME ANT) BIRDS SAA'ED 
during a single season's use of 
Parker’s Patent Self-Closing Traps, 
will more than 
REPAY ANY CLUB WHICH MAY ADOPT THEM. 
No expense ia spared in manafactaring these traps to make them 
STBOXG AXD HUB ABLE. 
Each trap has au 
E.rtra Water-tight Box 
outside the box, which piotects the plunger, 
WITH CO^■ER FOR THE SAME, 
thus enabling the sportsman to set the trap firmly in the ground and 
remove it at any time, leaving the outside box, with cover, on the 
field. 
PRICE. $ 5 00 PI R PAIR 
A pair of sent by freight or express on receipt of the price. 
FARSUR RROS., 
West Meriden, Conn. 
HOlSty-HSME 
IN Cav.P. 
Styles and prices — “Adirondack" and “Miner." ^ each. The 
“Sheridan." with plain canvas, $5; with both plain and quilt- 
ed canvas. $10. All styles, equal to any mattrasa in comfort. Un- 
approachable in excellence. Perfect in theory and perfect in actual 
use. Saves ten times its weight and space in blankets, and adds a 
thonsaud fold to the comfort of the camp. Ladies and gentlemen 
can enjoy the comfort and repose of home in the heart of the wil 
derness: a bed everywhere and superior to any hammock for 
lawns, piazzas or dwellings. 
CAMP LOUNGE CO., Troy, N. T. 
Th.e OelebrgLted. 
SPORTING AND BLASTING POWDER 
PLeoomirLeiid.£ftioiis : 
From Capt. A. H. BOGARDUS. Champion Wing Shot of America: 
“I reckon your pigeon trap away above all other traps I ever saw 
It is handy to nse and sare to work. I tell every body I meet that 
Itie the only trap that ought to be used.” 
A. H. Bogardus. 
Extract from a private Utter received from Hon. A . C. Mattoon: 
“4Vhat can I Kay that will convey to the trap shooters of this 
country a clearer idea of the excellence and fuperionty of yonr 
Patent Self-closing Pigerm trap, over any other pigeon trap, that I 
have seen, than to mention the fact that I have witnessed the shoot- 
ing of nearly twenty Ihonsand birds from those traps at our late 
convention, and cannot now cal] to mind a single instance when 
the shooting was delayed an instant in conseqnence of disarrange- 
ment of traps; they can be filled, with less loss of birds, and with 
greater facility than the old fashioned traps. ’’ 
THESE TRAPS WERE ADOPTED 
NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION, 
At their annnal convention, held at Batavia, Jnne, 1873, aa will be 
seen by the following letter; 
“In answer to your favor of the 17th regarding the action of the 
.*e,socialion about ihe self-closing improvement to plnnge traps, I 
wonid say that 'his .Association has adopted them and engaged Mr. 
Knapn to add to the eight traps now owned bv the Association this 
self-cloaing improvement Yours respectfully, ’ 
John B. Saoe, Sec. N. Y. S. Assoc’n.'" 
M.ANUFACTLTIED BY 
.CABL BITTMAB, 
Under His Own Patents, 
CAN NOW BE HAD REGULARLY AND IN ANY 
QUANTITY. 
SEE CIRCULARS FOR FULL TESTIMON’LALS AS TO SUPE- 
RIORITY OVER OTHER MAKES. 
The new patent Sporting powder does not soil the^n; cleanses 
it when yon use one charge of it after many with black powder; no 
smoke, little recoil, no loud report, high velocity. 
The best ever made in this line; not to be confounded with 
Sboltze's or English Wood Powder, or Sawdust PoAder, tta it is su- 
perior lo both. 
Ready-made ammunition for sporting and target rifies always on 
hand. 
Send for full instructions, and if samples are desired state if for 
rifle or shot gun. as each kind is made. 
BLEXBY A. GOULD, 
Works at Nepontet. SELLING AGENT. 
101 Milk Street, Boston, Maas. 
Lefe^er Bieecti-Loadofs, 
DOUBLE BARREL BREECH-LOADING SHOT 
GUNS AND RIFLES. 
Single Barrel Breech-Loading Shot Gnns, the strongest and best 
ever made for either light or the Aeartesf kind of Duck and Deer 
Shooting. Alto Single Barrel Breech-Loading Rifies. 
.Huzzle-Loaders Altered to Breech-Loaders. 
Any good muzzle-loader can be changed to a breech-loader, mak- 
ing as strong, good, and good looking gun as a new breech-loader. 
Perfect satisfaction guaranteed with every gun alterea. These guns 
are conceded, where known, to have tne strongest fastening, the 
best action, to 5e the best handling, the closest and hardest shoot- 
ing, and the cheapest guns before the public. Locks are made re- 
bounding, w'hen desired. For catalogue and price list, address, 
L. BARBER & CO.» 51 CUnton St. SYRACUSE. N. Y. 
S. W. GOODRIDGB^ 
GRAFTON, WINDHAM, CO., VERMONT. 
Keep! constantly on hand a full supply of fishing rods. 
MY SHAD ROD, 10 feet long, naade expressly for 
shad fly fishing, and approved by Mr. Thomas 
Chalmers. Price $ 8.00 
MY TROUT FLY RODS, 3 joints, 10.00 
BLACK BASS RODS, most a pproved pattern,. . 8.00' 
All are hand-made, and of the best material, silver 
plated mountings, and metal covered dowals. 
All kinds of fine bait rods on hand, or made to order. 
All orders promptly attended to. 
