FOREST AND STREAM. 
141 


Shot Gun and Rifle. 
GAME IN SEASON FOR OCTOBER. 
ena eee 
Caribou, Tarandus Rangifer.) 
Elk or Wapiti, Cervus Canadensis.) Red Deer, Caricus Virginianus.) 
Rabbits, common Brown and Grey.} Squirrels, Red Black.and Gray.) 
Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo.) + one Optyx Virginiana.) 
Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola.) innated Grouse, Tetrao Cupido.) 
Ruffed Grouse, Tetrao umbellus,s Curlew, Numenrus Arquata.) 
Esquimaux Curlew, Vumenius .bo- Sandpipers, Zringine.) 
reais.) Willets, 
Plover, Vharadraius.) Reed or Rice Birds, Dolichonyx oriz- 
Godwit, Limosine.) ivon. 
Rails, Rallus Virginianus.) Pigeons, and all kinds of Wild Fowl. 
Moose, Alces Malchis.) 
[Under the head of ‘‘Game, and Fish in: Season” we can only specify in 
general terms the several varieties, because the laws of States vary so much 
that were we to attempt to particularize we could do no less than publish 
those entire sections that relate to the kinds of yame in question, This 
would require a yreat amount of our space. In designating game we are 
guided by the laws of nature, upon which all legislation is founded, and 
our readers would do well to provide themselves with the laws of their re- 
spective States for constant reference. Otherwise, our attempts to assist them 
will only create confusion. | 
pee SA: 
—Pike county, Pennsylvania, where two large panthers 
(not wild cats) have been seen withina fortnight, is one 
“of the wildest sectio:.s of the State, perhaps exceeding the 
counties of Potter and Elk in the abundance of its -game. 
It has always been a favorite resort of the sportsmen of 
Milford and a few gentlemen from other States, though 
hunted little in comparison with localities less wild and in- 
accessible. During the past three years twelve thousand 
acres of the territory have been under the restriction and 
surveillance of the ‘‘ Blooming Grove Park Association,” 
and though somewhat hunted over by strangers and a few 
natives who had little fear of trespass laws, it has still 
lapsed somewhat into its primitive state; and the presence of 
the panthers mentioned, and of an unusual number of 
bears last season and this ,near and in this tract, is accounted 
for by this protection of the game, and diminution of the 
hunters. This mountain ridge known as ‘‘the Knobs”? is al- 
most without habitation and has always been famous 
for the abundance of this formidable species of wild ani- 
mal, the largest of its kind east of the Rocky Mountains. 
The writer saw two full grown ones killedin Potter county 
by an old hunter in a single day, not ‘sixteen years ago. 
These creatures often measure five feetin length of body, 
with en additional three feet of tail. It would be well to 
organize a party of veterans to scour the country of these 
predatory and dangerous beasts as soon as the trees are 
gtripped o ftheir leaves. 
The season for reed birds is about over; beginning about 
the 1st of September, they and the ortolan were very plenti- 
ful for a short time. Generally the season lasts through 
September, but acold storm that we experienced about 
ten days ago, drove the birds away, and now although the 
weather has taken a summer turn again, a dozen birds is 
about all one tide will furnish. 
On the 17th our correspondent ‘‘ Piseco” killed on one 
tide, thirty-six reed birds, five ortolan, two snipe, one blue 
wing teal. The best single tide’s work that we have 
heard of this season was eleven dozen birds, principally 
reed birds, mostly shot in the collard patch, near the United 
States Naval Magazine with one gun. There are parties who 
shoot for the market, and beginning at half ebb tide, work- 
ing with a skiff till the water is too low, then wade through 
the low water and take to the skiff again when it will float, 
thus getting six hours, shooting to a tide. Gentlemen 
working with a shover can work only about half the length 
of time, from the time the skiff will float until the reeds 
are nearly submerged. A ‘‘ Wader ” killed fifty-six orto- 
lan, and seven dozen reed birds on one tide, another reports 
ninety-six ortolan. 
—The recent warm spell has caused those mysterious 
birds, the ortolans, to reappear on the marshes of the Dela- 
ware and Potomac. On the morning of the 2d one gun 
killed 31 birds on a tide, and several jack snipe near Wash- 
ington City. On the Four Mile Run Bar one gun bagged 
ten ‘‘stiff tails” and one canvas-back duck, the first of the 
season. 
Speaking of reed birds, the Lexington Telegraph says that 
the birds are not very abundant this season, only occasion- 
ally, when the tide was of full height, and the birds flush 
well. Still there are a good many yet to shoot for the first 
three weeks of this month, when one rail will be worth two 
during the first three weeks in September. Cedar-Grove 
Hotel, being directly on the river, with good stabling for 
horses, and good fare and boats for sportsmen, an opportu- 
nity stillremains for the expert shot who can appreciate one 
. of the choicest birds for the table the country produces. 
—The West Jersey Game Protective Society has taken 
decided action in referenee to enforcing the law under 
which it was created, in the protection of game in the several 
counties. The president appointed committees to prosecute 
violators of the law, and a resolution was adopted appoint- 
ing a committee to confer with General Sewell, superin- 
tendent of the West Jersey Railroad, and also Mr. E. C. 
Collins, of the Atlantic City road, asking these gentlemen 
to station agents on the lines under their control with orders 
not to receive any game or game-birds except as the laws 
direct, within the season, and to refuse at any time to re- 
ceive snooded game for transportation. This is evidently a 
live game protective society. : 
—Quail shooting commenced in Virginia October Ist, 
the birds unusually plentiful, and fat as butter. Three 
guus killed forty-one birds in the vicinity of Washington on 
that day, and another bagged eighteen on a different 
ground, mostly this year’s birds. 
Ducks are beginning to come into the marshes. The 
blue wing teal is quite plentiful. Fourteen were killed in 
one day last week. Grey ducks and mallard are putting 
in an appearauce. 
‘Quail are plentiful this year. The season opened in 
the District on the 1st of October; in Maryland, on the 15th 
of October. No report of shooting yet except one gentle 
man killed nine birds last week while breaking a young 
dog. 
—The Toronto Globe mentions a party of gentlemen just 
returned from their annual hunt in Canada, who had very 
fine sport on Hollow Lake in the unsurveyed district north 
of Minden, reached by canoes through Gull, Raven, Wren, 
and other lakes. Deer were found plentiful, nine having 
been killed by the party, while partridge and duck were to 
be got for the shooting. Messrs. Townsend and Dwight 
caught a number of brook trout, weighing irom two to 
four pounds each, the trout in the streams leading to and 
from this lake being the largest on an average that have 
ever been caught before by this party in an annual experi- 
ence now extending to twelve years. Mr. Wiman had the 
good fortune to encounter four wolves, which, by the 
ready use of his Ballard rifle, were promptly despatched. 
—J. C. Wade of Bridgewater,,Nova Scotia, killed three 
moose last week in the neighborhood of Sable river. He 
reports that moose are tolerably abundant. 
CREEDMOOR.—-There has been a good deal of practice at the 
range during the last week by teams from various regiments 
who are preparing for this week’s contest. Members from 
the Sixty-ninth, Seventy-first and Seventy-ninth regiments 
were trying their arms, and made good scores. Some of 
the United States corps of engineers were also on the 
ground; their shooting was good, but not better than the 
average made by the State soldiers. 
A special meeting of the directors of the National Rifle 
Association was held on Monday, October 5, at No. 124 
Broadway, with the view of making arrangements for the 
fall meeting at Creedmoor Range, Long Island. Colonel 
C. Church presided. Several matters of detail were ar- 
ranged in connection with the approaching meeting, and 
some reports were made by the Secretary, Mr. George W. 
Wingate. He stated among other things that the telegraph 
wires have been carried from the ranges to Hunter’s Point, 
and that press messages will be sent free. 
In our issue of-September 25, we gave in detail the vari- 
ous prizes to be competed for, the match to commence on 
the 8th of the month. The entries so far as they have been 
received up to the present are quite numerous. For the 
first and second matches there are twenty and eighty entries 
respectively. In the First Division match teams from the 
Sixth, Ninth, Twelfth, Twenty-second, Sixty-ninth, and 
Seventy-ninth regiments have entered for competition. The 
Army and Navy Journal match has also brought out a large 
number of competitors, and teams from the Thirteenth, 
Twenty-third, Twenty-eighth, and Thirty-second regiments 
have entered for the Second Division match. The State 
prize, however, has brought out a still larger number of 
competitors, teams from the First and Nineteenth regiments 
being added to the representatives of the above regiments. 
There are the same contestants in the Gatling match, with 
the exception of the First regiments. So far the-entries for 
the New Jersey match have not been received. For the 
Sharpshooters Championship there are twenty-eight entries, 
and for the Press match thirteen. The following is the 
official time at which the several matches will be com- 
menced: 
WEDNEsDAY, Oct. 8.—10 A. M., Judd match; 10:30 A. M., Sportsmen's 
match; 11:30 A. M., First Stage of First and Second Divisions; 10:30 P 
M., Secoud stage of First and Second Division; 2:35 P. M., Army and 
Navy Journal; 4 P. M., All comers. If not completed on Wednesday, 
this mateh will be concluded the next day, commencing at 4 P. M. 
THuRSDAY, Ocr. 9.—10 A. M., First stage State match; 11:10, First 
stage New Jersey match; 12:40 P. M., Second stage New Jersey; 1:10 P. 
M., Second stage State match; 2:20 P.M., Gatling match; 3;25 P. M., 
Railroad match; 4 P. M., Press match; 4 P. M., All comers’ match, if not 
finished on first day. 
Fripay, Oot. 10.—10 A. M,, Sharp- shooters’ Championship. 
Altogether, there are more than 1,000 entries for the 
meeting, including at least twelve regiments of the New 
York National Guard, the New Jersey Militia, the United 
States Engineers, and the Canadian Volunteers. Special 
trains will carry passengers to Creedmoor. It has been es- 
timated that during the month of September 4,000 persons 
shot on the range. A large number of the prizes offered 
for competition were on exhibition at the warerooms of the 
Gorham Manufacturing Company, Bond street. The prin- 
cipal prize is a solid silver vase, twenty inches high, resting 
on a pedestal eight inches in height, and surmounted by 
two well-designed and artistically-executed figures, repre- 
senting riflemen. One of these figures represents a private 
soldier kneeling, and in the act of firing. The other is the 
figure of an officer watching the effect of the shot through 
his field-glass. The handles of the vase are ornamented in 
bas-relief, representing rifles, targets, and various military 
equipments, intertwined with laurel. The base is hand- 
somely ornamented with a gold outline, is suitably inscribed 
and is of a superior style in design and workmanship. The 
inscription runs as follows: ‘‘Presented by W. OC. & F. P. 
Church, proprietors of the Army and Navy Journal, to the 
regiment making the best shooting of any in the United 
States, at the range of the National Rifle Association, 
Creedmoor, Long Island,” and on the reverse side: -‘‘ Army 
and Navy Journal Challenge Cup; won by ——.” In the 
Sportsan’s Mmatch there is a magnificent set of moose ant- 
lers, handsomely gilt, presented by the Formsr AND 
SrreaM. There is also a handsome prize presented by the 
Flushing and Central Railroad of Long Island, and several 
others of great beauty, the gift of private individuals. Un- 
less the weather be particularly stormy,the various matches 
will beshot for as announced. As we have many ques- 
tions as to ties addressed to us, for the benefit of our nu- 
merous correspondents, we give the following rules in re- 
gard to them: 

The names of competitors who have to shoot off ties will 
be posted up daily on the bulletin board at 10 A. M. and 3 
Be 
Ties shall be decided as follows: 
A—In Inpivipuat SHoorina. 
1. When the firing takes place at more than one distance, 
by the score made at the longest distance, and if still a tie, 
and there be three distances in the competition, by the 
score at the second distance. 
2. By the fewest misses. 
3. By the fewest outers. 
4, If still a tie, by inverse order of shots counting singly 
from the last to the first. 
5. By firing single shots at the longest range. 
B—In Tram SnHoorine. 
1. By the aggregate scores made at the longest distance 
in the competition. 
2. By the fewest misses. 
3. By the fewest outers. 
4. By the competitors who have made the highest score 
on each side firing five rounds at the longest distance in the 
competition. 
N. B.—When the ties are shot off, one sighting shot shall 
be allowed, without charge. 
Parties desirous of visiting the Range can take ferry at 
the foot of Thirty-fourth street or James Slip to Hunter’s 
Point. Cars leave Hunter’s Point at 8 o’clock A. M., and 
continue running every half hour until4 P. M. Running 
time about thirty minutes. *Distance thirteen and a quarter 
miles.. Fare thirty cents. 
{In our next issue, the Forest AND STREAM will present 
a carefnl reswmé of the whole shooting at Creedmoor, with 
an analysis of the same, which willbe well worth the atten 
tion of our numerous readers. |—Ep. 
Atlilitary Jdlews. 
HE desertions in the army, of late, have become so 
“numerous that the Government is introducing measures 
to check them if possible. The War Department has au 
thorized the forfeiture of all pay and allowances due at the 
time of desertion, a portion of which, after deduction of 
arrears, going to support the Soldiers’ Home. Department 
Commanders are using every endeavor to put.a stop to de- 
sertions by punishing those caught to the full extent of the 
law. This may stop desertions in a measure, but we fear 
not to the extent expected. Men who desert care littie for 
the pay due them. The greatest number of desertions 
occurs just after pay day. Men decamp generally with 
plenty of funds, and to have their freedom will frequently 
run the chances of being taken. There are just two things 
which we think would lessen the number of desertions; the 
first is better treatment of the men by commissioned of« 
ficers; and the second is more frequent pay days. Let the 
men be paid monthly instead of semi-occasionally, which 
sometimes means quarterly, and frequently longer periods, 
and we shall find desertions will visibly decrease. A man, 
whatever his dissatisfaction, feels less inclined to desert 
with one month’s pay and allowances in his pocket than 
when he has the pay for three or more months. The temp- 
tation is not near so great, and particularly when he owes 
much of that one month’s pay to the sutler, etc. 
—For some time past the complaints regarding the dispo- 
sition of what is termed the ‘‘ company fund” of the army, 
have been very numerous. In fact, at last the War Depart- 
ment has found it necessary to issue special instructions 
relative to the management of this great blessing to the 
enlisted men. The Government allows ample rations to 
the men, and by a certain amount of economy in the sale 
of surplus rations, a better quality of diet and some few 
luxuries may by this method be obtained for the different 
messes. The money derived from the sale of these rations 
is called the company fund, which, according to the com- 
plaints which have reached the War Department, is not 
always expended by company officers in the best interests 
of the men. Itis directed that hereafter the savings from 
an economical use of the rations must be appropriated ex- 
clusively, first, to the improvement of the soldiers’ table 
fare, and next to his comfort in quarters. The War De- 
partment also directs that the company fund must be ex- 
pended for the sole benefit of the enlisted men. Post com- 
manders are directed to look carefully after this matter 
and see that a fund of this kind is created and properly 
expended. 
—Company A, Sixth Cavalry has been changed from 
camp near Fort Hays to Fort Wallace, Kansas, company 
D, of the same regiment, taking its place; company K, 
Fifth Artillery, has been ordered from Fort Sullivan, Me., 
to Madison Barracks, New York; company A, Twentieth 
Infantry, from Fort Ambercombie, D. T., to Fort Seward, 
D. T.; company B, same regiment, from Fort Seward, D. 
T., to Fort Ripley, Minn.; companies D, I, and J, same 
regiment, from Fort Wadsworth to Fort Pembina, D. T.; 
company K from Fort Pembina to Fort Totten, D. T., and 
company H from Fort Totten, D. T., to Fort Snelling, 
Minn. 
—Some weeks since six companies of the Tenth Cavalry 
and one company of the Eleventh Infantry, left Forts Sill 
and Richardson, Texas, on a scout in the direction of Red 
and Pease rivers, to look after the Comanche and Kiowa 
Indians, many of whom were suspected as being off their 
reservations, and onfmarauding expeditions. The scouting 
party was under command of General Davidson, Lt. Col. 
of the Tenth, and accompanying the party from Fort Rich- 
ardson was a gentleman of the name of Hoxie, of New 
York, brother of Richard L. Hoxie, an officer of the en- 



