
— Shot Gun and Rifle. 
GAME IN SEASON FOR FEBRUARY. 
——¢— 
Hares, Squirrels and Wild Fowl. 
FOR FLORIDA. 
Red Deer, Cartcus Virginianus) Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo.) 
Woodcock, Philohela minor.) Quail, Ortya Virginianus.) 
Snip 2, Etre Curlew, etc., in great 
variety. 

—_+—__— 
© |Under the head of ‘Game, and Fisn in Season” we can only specyfy vu 
general terms the several varieties, because the laws of States vary so much 
that were we to attempt to Bike ge ee we could do no less than publish 
those entire sections that relate to the kinds of game in question. This 
would require a great 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.] 
—~—_—. 
—A correspondent in Hillsboro, Ohio, who is a veteran 
sportsman, sends the following extraordinary instance of 
“buck ague.” Cases like this occur even with old hunters, but 
they merely indicate a peculiar exceptional nervous state 
of the system, which cannot be accounted for except on 
general principles. Some of our nervous friends may find 
sympathy or encouragement therein. The phenomenon is 
not more singular than that nervous condition which starts 
at the slam of adoor or the snap of a twig while it remains 
unshaken by the peal of the thunder-clap or the rattle of 
musketry :— 
Ep 1roR ForEst anp STREAM:— 
Some thirty years ago the writer started out by daylight, ‘solitary and 
alone,” for a deer hunt. He had made a horseback trip to Portsmouth, 
on the Ohio River, fifty miles from his home, to attend court, and on his 
way down left his rifle at a séttler’s cabin in the Sunfish Hills, then a very 
wild section, abounding in deer, intending to stop a day or two on his 
return. 
It was December, and a ten inch snow had fallen during the night, and 
ground, bush, and bough were covered with the soft feathery crystals. 
The hunter had resorted to a common trick to beguile the game by put- 
ting on over his clothes a large white shirt, borrowed from the settler, 
and tying a linen handkerchief over his cap. Thus accoutred, like the 
ghost in Hamlet, he moved slowly, noiselessly, and almost invisibly along, 
often stopping to get sight of the quarry and steal unnoticed upon him. 
On turning a thicket a deer was discovered browsing in a fallen tree top 
not thirty yards off. He had not seen or heard or smelt the hunter, and 
kept munching away at his breakfast. There seemed a certainty of fine, 
fat venison, barring accidents, but no time was to be lost. The rifle was 
brought quickly to an aim, and the hunter pulled and pulled, harder and 
harder, but there was no report. It was a-hair trigger, and should have 
gone at the weight of agrain. When taken down to examine, it was 
found that in the haste and excitement it had only been half cocked. 
This was soon corrected, but when the gun was again brought to the 
shoulder a film seemed creeping over the eyes, the atmosphere was filled 
with a gray mist, the outlines of the deer disappeared, and an anguish 
tremor ran through eyery bone and muscle. 
This time the gun went off, and so did the deer, but it is very doubtful 
if even the tree top was hit, or whether if the object had been a Dutch 
barn it would not have, been missed. The fog and the film, however, 
cleared away in season for the hunter to see the deer making 2:40 time 
over the hill, evidently unhurt. Thereupon the sportsman sat down upon 
a log and silently went through an argument whether it were better to 
throw away the gun and go home, or go ahead and perhaps be fooled 
again, But courage came with reflection, the rifle was reloaded, and the 
hunt renewed, and before noon a fine doe was hung up toa sapling. It 
was a clear and violent case of buck ague. Has the reader ever had like 
experience? VETERAN. 
—_—_+>_—_—- 
—Our Minnesota correspondent relates an experience in 
still hunting which has been alluded to in these columns 
more than once, proving that it is often wiser for the hunter 
to remain quiet after the deer has got the wind of him than 
to persist in industrious stalking :— 
BRAINERD, Minn., December, 1873. 
EDITOR Forest AND STREAM:— 
The sketch of my friend “Bedford,” in number 19 of your paper, and 
your accompanyiig foot notes, prompt the following:—One day after a 
fresh fall of snow, we started to look after deer amile east of town. 
While following a winding wood road, we got a glimpse of a buck about 
twenty rods away, head and tail down, sneaking away like a fox through 
the underbrush. We sent a ball after him, but the brush was too thick, 
and with a bound he was off like a rocket. Sticking another cartridge 
into the rifle, and taking a look at the compass, we were off, too, on the 
trail, quictly and cautiously taking note of everything. The lay of the 
ground, and the direction he was taking, told us he was making fora 
tamarack swamp amile orso away. Knowing the ground thoroughly, 
we took a short cut, going pretty fast, and struck the swamp—a nearly 
circular patch of tamarack poles, tall grasses, and dead trees—bad 
ground for the hunter, but just the place for an old wily skulker like the 
five pronger we were after. We soon found his trail, where he had 
walked into the swamp, and noticed where, as he leisurely moved along, 
he had stopped to paw or nibble a sprig from a birch, as much as 
to say, ‘I’ve got into my stronghold now, and may as well take it easy; 
this moccasined hunter who scared me so cannot find me here.” We 
followed him through the swamp, doing our finest work, and at the outer 
edge saw from his leap that he had discovered our presence, but trusting 
to his cover and sagacity he had disdained to take the timber and his: 
heels for it, but began to circle the swamp, now under cover, then outside 
among the grass and rushes, now running and then walking. In one 
place he had walked ¢owards us a few yards, then with a leap toward the 
right he had turned and gone on. Patiently, noiselessly, and ardently, as 
becomes the still hunter, we followed the devious windings of the trail 
' till he had twice crossed the track we had made on entering the swamp. 
We were peering cautiously ahead, hoping earnestly for one more shot 
before dark, when a thought struck us, and wheeling about suddenly we 
found that we were being trailed instead of doing the trailing! for be- 
hind us, coming quietly and confidently along was the buck we supposed 
we were in-pursuit of! We pitched the rifle up, but with a flirt of his 
body he ‘reversed motion”’ so quickly that we had no time to shoot. 
For a few seconds we were nonplussed, but there was one more chance 
to take, and that was to race across the swamp, get in ahead of the deer, 
and trust a hunter’s luck for the rest. So we took it, and plunged into 
the brush, jumping logs, dodging the spring holes, and struck the trail 
before the deer came along. Hastily getting behind a big tree we waited 
for him, and not in vain, for in about ten minutes (long enough to allow 
us to get our nerves in shooting condition after the brisk run) we saw his 
antlered head bobbing over the rushes as he came steadily along. Slowly 
raising our rifles and taking dead aim, we waited—waited coolly, for we 
knew he was our game. Onhe came slowly till within twenty rods, 
when, with a terrific leap, he bonnded into the swamp and stood still for 
one instant, then mounted an old dead tree and commenced slowly pacing 
alongit. When he reached the end he threw up his head, asif 
alarmed, and as he gathered himself for a jump the rifle cracked not a 
moment too soon, and the lordly buck, which had led us such a chase 
and fooled us so badly went “‘spread eagle” fashion into the snow. Yours 
truly, HAVILAND. 
——~——— 
—The merited promotion of Colonel Wingate, new In- 




FOREST AND STREAM. 
spector-General on the staff of General J. B. Woodward, of 
the Second Division, is to be looked upon as fortunate for 
the interests of the rifle movement in the State. We may 
feel sure that Colonel Wingate, the former most energetic 
Secretary of the National Rifle Association, will instil into 
the men of his division, a proper idea of the advantages of 
rifle practice, and under his excellent method of instruc- 
tion, undoubtedly many a soldier in the gallant second will 
compete successfully with other divisions at Creedmoor in 
future rifle contests. 
J 
A FEW HINTS TO SPORTSMEN. 
pre eS 
BaLtimone, January 29, 1874. 
EpiTorR Forrst AND STREAM:— : 
1 am glad to see that sportsmen are awaking to the idea that birds, fish 
and animals should be called by their right names. I think it would 
be a good plan to introduce into schools a hand-book of Natural His- 
tory, and teach the growing ones at least whatis correct. Here they 
call the quail a partridge (for this there is an excuse, as they quote Au- 
dubon; which is right?) they calla ruffed grousea pheasant; the ruddy 
duck a coot and water partridge; the coot proper, a crow bill; the rail an 
ortolan; rabbits for hares, of course; Wilson’s snipe a jack snipe; the 
weaktfish sea trout; bluefish taylors; and speak of catching salmon in 
the Ohio river. 
I ventured to remonstrate the other day about calling the ruddy duck 
a coot, and was told that men who had lived for twenty years on the 
shore called them coot, ‘and did I pretend to know more than they 
did?’ Again I happened to say that it was a shame to kill robins (mi- 
gratory thrush), and was told it was good sport, and besides, the robins 
ought to be killed, for they ate up the wheat. Whew! What do you 
think of that? It put me m mind of the old story of the farmer who 
kept missing his sheep, and at last found a fellow in the road that run 
by his place, cutting the throat of one of his sheep. He asked him what 
he meant, and he said that he would givahim to understand that no 
man’s sheep should come out and bitehim. I expect to hear them say 
yet that the bluebirds carry off their chickens. 
Itis of no use to talk to them; they either think you are putting on 
airs, orlook upon you with pity, and wonder how you can be so igno- 
rant. 
They stick to Jong barrels to their guns here, and small loads of pow- 
der with large loads of shot of large size. For instance, many of their 
guns of 10 or 8 bore, are 36 or 40 inches inthe barrels, and they tell you 
the proper load for these is from 2$ to 8 dr. of powder, 2 to 2t oz. of 
shot, size from No. 1 to B. B. We think that 32 in.8 bore, or 30 in. 10 
bore about right, and the load 5 or 44 dr. powder to 1} to1t oz. of No. 
4 shot for ducks (No. 6 early in the season), No.1 for geese. Which do 
you think is right? Speaking of guns, they have a gun maker here that 
makes, to my notion, the best central flre breech-loader I have ever seen. 
For simplicity, strength and correct proportions I have never seen its 
equal, and I have seen many good ones, As he does not advertise in 
FOREST AND STREAM, I shall mention no names; but when he does may 
say more about his guns. 
Tam glad to see that there is a chance for a field trial between Eng- 
lish and American dogs, and I trust that it may come off and that I may 
be there to see it. Iagree with you about Western dogs. I haye seen 
many a rough looking one out there that was a paragon, and I think they 
are better handled, less yelling and beating than in the East. Often I 
have seen the silky coated English or Eastern dogs put to shame by one 
that was hard to look on, at which the owners of the former had turned 
up their noses. WANDERER, 
ge 
—The Brooklyn party shot a match at Dexter’s last week. 
Dr. Aten and Mr, Hickock were matched against Messrs. 
Baylis and Birdseye. The match was shot under the Eng- 
lish rules, that is, use of both barrels, and from five traps, 
380 yards rise, 80 yards boundary, 14 oz. shot. The birds 
were poor. Mr. Baylis killed 10 out of 15; Mr. Birdseye 
killed 6, making 16 out of 30; Dr. Aten killed 10, and Mr. 
Hickoek 9, making 19 out of 30, the latter winning by 3 
birds. Capt. Elmendorf was the referee. 
—The cold weather of last Friday did not prevent a 
goodly gathering of pigeon shooters at Deerfoot Park; the 
birds, as supplied by McMahon, were strong on the wing, 
and mostly driving birds. The shooting began with a 
sweepstakes of five birds each, $5 entrance, Long Island 
rules to govern, 21 yards rise, 80 yards boundary, and 1} 
oz. shot. There were five entries, which resulted ina tie 
between Messrs. Townsend, Bohring and Ireland, when, it 
being shot off, the $25 was divided by Messrs. Ireland and 
Bohring. 
Charles Townsend—1, 0, 1, 1, 1—Killed, 4. 
“Dr.” Treland—1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0—Killed, 4. 
Mr. Bohring—1, 1, 0, 1, 1—Killed, 4, 
Moses Chichester—1, 1, 1, 0, 0—Killed, 8. 
Thomas Broadway—0, 1, 0, 1, 1—Killed, 3. 
The second sweepstakes of five birds, $5 entrance; same 
rules and conditions. 
“Dr.” Ireland—1, 1, 1, 1, 1—Killed, 5. 
Charles Townsend—1, 1, 1, 1, 0—Killed, 4. 
Thomas Broadway—0, 1, 0, 1, 0—Killed, 2. 
Mr. Van Dyke—1, 0, 0, 1—Killed, 2. 
W. McFall—0, 1, 0, 0—Killed, 1. 
Mr. Bohring—i, 0, 0—Killed, 1. 
“Dr.” Ireland took first money and Charles Townsend 
second. 
Sweepstakes, five birds each, 
and conditions. 
Moses Chichester—1, 1, 1, 1, 1—Killed, 5. 
Charles Townsend—1, 1, 1, 1, 0—Killed, 4. 
Thomas Broadway—l, 0, 0, 1—Killed, 2. 
Mr. Gildersleeve—0, 1, 1, 0—Killed, 2. 
Mr. Van Dyke—1, 0, 0—Killed, 1. 
“Dr.” Treland—0, 1. 0—Killed, 1. 
Referee in all the sweeps, Mr. Wingate. 
—<A pigeon match took place at Dexter’s Club Grounds, 
on the 29th, between four gentlemen amateurs of Brooklyn, 
15 birds each, 30 yards rise, 80 yards boundaay, from five 
traps. English rules to govern. 
An. killed 10, missed 5. 
L. C. killed 9, missed 6. 
By. killed 10, missed 5. 
Bs. killed 6, missed 9. 
[We cannot publish any more initial letters, as if a match 
is worth printing at all, the full name or pigeon shooting 
name must be given. Ep.] 
$5 entrance; same rules 
41} 
—The covert shooting on the estate of Mr. R. J. Lloyd 
Price, (the owner of “Belle,”) at Rhiwlas, Bala, North 
Wales, has been excellent. Mr. Price, accompanied by 
two gentlemen, killed on New Year's Day, using sixteen 
dogs, (retrievers,) cock pheasants, 53; hen pheasant, 1; 
partridge, 1; rabbits, 84; woodcocks, 18; snipe, 1; total— 
103. 
Pn S 
SCRANTON, LUZERNE Co., PENN., January 30, 1874. 
EpiTor Forrat AnD STREAM:— 
A pigeon match was shot at Wilkesbarre, Luzerne county, Penn., on 
the ead instant between Mr. Cox, of Schuylkill county, and Mr. Maddox, 
of this place, for the championship of the two counties and $1,000 a side 
Mr. Cox won the match by shooting 25 birds out of 86, Mr. Maddox kill- 
ing but 19. 
A sweepstake pigeon match was shot at Scranton, Penn., on January 
29th between Alfred Eyans and John Hughes for $100 a side. The fol- 
lowing is the result:— 
IVAN Se ecsacher cai. eee dels lye t,t leedy: Opel 1, 1—11 
Hughesin. 5. shoei te: 14 00,7) Ope 19, Ode 1,1, 0.0—7 
G. A. Dickson. 
> 6 
WasHIneTon, D. C., January 26, 1874. 
Epiror Forest anp SrrEam:— 
I send to your address by to-day’s mail the score of a pigeon match 
between William Harris, of Alexandria, Va., and John Ferguson of 
Washington, at Riley’s Coral on Saturday, January 24, at 25 birds, 21 
yards rise, 80 yards bound, for $25. Harris gaye up the match at the 
thirteenth bird; also the score of a match between Ferguson and Wil- 
liams, same day and place, at 10 birds, same rules as above, for $10. 
Each man handled and trapped forthe other. Referee, A. Wardell; 
judges, Derrick and Smithson, Very respectfully and truly yours, 
Jas. N. Davis, JR. 


Ferguson bbe Se Lei a Dy AX A as Ss SG eae ss 
Harris, . i veel LO" OL 110) OP 12010" OO th ond 
Williams yee el yank LR LESE TOOL mte a? 
Hergusonwses-. cnn ae ae rhe is Te a eee ls tng 
Se 
RIFLE PRACTICE. 
The following are the highest scores at Conlin’s Gallery, 
up to February 3d. 
For the first prize seven consecutive bullets. 
For the second prize five consecutive bullets. 
For the third prize four consecutive bullets. 
For the fourth prize twelve in twenty shots. 
For the fifth prize eleven in fifteen shots. 
Sea and River Fishing. 
FISH IN SEASON IN FEBRUARY. 
—_+>_—_—. 
SOUTHERN WATERS, 



Pompano. Trout, (Black Bass.) Sheepshead, 
Snapper. Drum, (two species.) Tailorfish. 
Grouper. Kingfish . Sea Bass. 
Rockfish. Striped Bass, Rockfish. 
——_4>__- 
Tue Massacuuserrs ANGLERS’ AssocraTron held an im- 
portant meeting on the 28th of January, in Boston, Dr. J. 
P. Ordway, the President, in the chair. Twenty-eight new 
members were elected. Dr. A. L. Squires, now of New- 
port, accepted the office of Corresponding Secretary. The 
committee on trout submitted a report in which they stated 
that they have made a careful examinination of the laws 
relating to trout fishing, and have also visited many places 
where trout were exposed for sale. We copy the report 
almost entire: ; 
That the laws of Maine are daily violated, and toa great 
extent is apparent. Hardly a day that there are not ex- 
posed in the stalls of Quincy Market light-meated, dark- 
sided trout, whose spots and general appearance tell too 
plainly that the waters of the Kennebago and Cupsuptic 
were once lashed by their tails. Most of such Maine trout 
brought here for a winter market are in the worst possible 
condition—very soft and often so long out of water that 
they are utterly unfit for the table. And yet there is a de- 
mand for them. 
Brook trout, also, from Vermont and Maine, are offered 
in the market in large quantities—poor, little, weak, puny 
things, not to be compared to the speckled beauties of next 
May. A blind man, with a copper-fastened stomach, and 
no reputation, might possibly be induced to admit that he 
had purchased and swallowed half a dozen such trout, but 
that a person in his right mind, with eyes, and knowing 
anything of the laws of health and digestion, could be 
found to admit as much is beyond the comprehension of 
this committee. Nature stamps their corruption with plain 
marks, and theirsickly, unhealthy appearance outside and 
in would warn anybody except the keeper of a boarding 
house. But how are we to prevent these sales? Your com- 
mittee find that the sum of all the periods in the different 
States during which trout are forbidden to be taken orsold 
amounts to nearly the whole year. The spawning season 
varies very much in the time of its commencement and 
ending, varying even in the same State in different local- 
ities. 
There would then be an evident injustice in passing a law 
to prevent the exposure for sale in Boston of all trout 
caught outside the Commonwealth within the limits of time 
which, in this State, it is illegal to take them, as such trout 
may have been caught at atime when, where caught, it 
was perfectly legal to catch them, and may be in a perfect- 
ly good condition. , 
It may be possible to provide by statute that it shall be 
illegal to sell or have in one’s possession in this State trout 
caught in another State contrary to the laws of such State 
or within the prohibited periods; and your Committee en- 
deavor herewith to lay before you a bill for this purpose. 
There are also in this State laws relating to the inspection 
of food, from which the Committee hope to gain some aid 
for the objects of this Association. We can actively in- 
fluence the appointment of inspectors—men open to con- 
viction on the subject—and we can see that they are fully 
informed as to the quality of the trout coming into thls 
market within the prohibited times. Under the provisions 
of 1872, chapter 231, such inspectors have the power to in- 
spect all fish offered for sale, and when they find any that 
are unwholesome, from any cause, they may seize the same 
and have them destroyed. Another provision of the same 
statute is to the effect that whoever knowingly offers for 
sale unwholesome fish is to be punished by imprisonment in 
jail not exceeding sixty days, or by fine not exceeding $100. 
