Morning journal and courier., 1885-08-13
COMMUNICATIONS,
"nnANAah


 To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 In the editorial column of to-day's issue you have an article headed ''Woodcock and Poppycock," in which you denounce the present game law as regards the shooting of woodcock. You claim that Connecticut is the only State in which the close season ex- tends to October 1. You are mistaken; in Delaware the close season on partridge, quail, pheasant, ruffed grouse, woodcock, hare and rabbit in Kenka and Sussex counties extends to November 15, the open season from No vember 15 to January 15. In Newcastle county the close season extends also to No vember 15 but the open season from Novem- Der 10 to January 1. Maine also has the law on woodcock from December to Sep tember l, the open season extending from September to December. Quebec has from September 1 to March 1 as the open season. Other States vary. In New Jersey the sea son opens July 1, in New York August 1, and Pennsylvania July 4, and in New Hampshire August 1. And in all of these States where the laws open in July or other dates u to September the real gentlemanly sportsmen are unanimously endeavoring to have the season open later.
 You quote the Norwich Bulletin as saying that in the season as it now stands the fesh becomes bitter from feeding on beetles. I would like to ask one or two questions as re- gards that. First if such is the case why do they not make the flesh bitter in the early season, for the woodcock feed on insects all the season through; second, if such is the case why is he so eagerly sought after by all sportsmen
 In August and early September the wood cock has a moulting season and they seek the hillside and other retired places till later September and early October, when they come forth the spoItsman's pride and glory.
 Summer woodcock shooting ought to be abolished for the welfare of the tribe; not that they are any easier to bag then than but that they are not in so good form for either gun or table, and furthermore it is disastrous to the ruffed grouse, for, as the law stands in New Hampshire, many hedgeling grouse helps to fill the bag during August days when shooting woodcock' by men who never shoot them later, and have no dogs suitable for the sport, is an excuse for being in the covers with dog and gun. The law for both birds should be the same, then my word on it there would be better shooting among the hills.'' quote from paper on the woodcock read before the New Hamp shire Fish and Game league by Dr. William Jarvis. The law in his State, opening Au gust 1st and closing February 1st on wood COCh, oAo ocPoOL1oCI 1oo oLo SAoSA1iS February 1st on grouse. Thus we see what a practical sportsman has to say on the law in his State.
 quote from Forest and Stream: ''The summer shooting of woodcock is admitted by nearly all who indulge in the practice to be a murderous and destructive business"
 As to the pot-shootings Shooting out of season) let me quote the same authority in another editorial:
 elf don't somebody else will has been the cowardly excuse for almost every crime known to the calendar. The man who slides off into the woods before the law is off and makes this defense for his misdemeanors has spirit so contemptible that honest men will fail to understand it. How anyone who prOfesses to practice field sports for the pleasure there is in them can find any enjoy ment in lugging home at night bag of birds, and with it the load of his consciousness that he has done mean and unlawful deed, is something quite beyond our cemprehen- sion. Can anyone explain its"
 Don't listen to men who don't know the least particle about shooting assd let the law stand. SALMo.
 New Haven August 12 1885,