Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-11-29
ABOUT TRAP SHOOTING.
CLAY BIRDS HAVE SUPERSEDED
THE GENUINE ARTICLE.

The Sport Has Grown Greasly In Favor ID
Iate Year-The S. r. c. A. Objected ia
the Killing Of Pigeons-How Crack Shot.
Get tho Prizes at Tournaments.
A sport which of late years has been stead
ny growing In popularity is that of trap
shooting. For many years It was confined to
a few participants, *ho were looked upon a
gen cranks In those days nothing but wild
pigeons were shot, as the clay saucers had
not then been invented.
As time progressed and large tournaments
became more frequent, the drafts upon the
live bird reosts in the far west were so heavy
as to almost exterminate them; at least, they
were forced to leave their old haunts, and the
hunters who had made good living for years
by trapping the birds were forced to seek
other occupations The failure Of the wild
bird crop necexitated other measures, as
shoots were destined to multiply rather than
to decrease, 50 tame pigeons were substi-
tuted. bred especially for trap purposes by
farmers in various sections of the country.
TEE NECESSITY FOR NEW TARGETS.
Just prior to the great Coney Island tour
nament about ten years ago, public senti-
nent. inspired by Henry Bergh, with the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty TO
Animals at bis back, demanded the stoppage
Of the practice of killing birds from the trap
This feeling eliminated at the Coney Island
shoot, where more than 10000 live birds,
many Of them young and unfedged, and I'M
able to fly, were shot during the week. Mr.
Bergh attempted to stop proceedings, but
was unable to do so, and the programme was
carried out as intended.
Although Mr.. Bergh's power was success
fully braved on this occasion, it did more to
stop live bird shooting for a time than any
other movement Glass balls and patent
tin target, made to gyrate in its fight to
resemble the action of q bird, had been used
with some success. This was a clumsy and
expensive invention and did not meet with
favor.
An objection to the glass balls was the
number of accidents that occurred through
the bits of broken glass with which the shoot
ing ground was strewn, also the regularity
of their fight, which made shooting at them
almost automatic after a little practice. The
necessity for new and improved target was
very apparent, and at the Coney Island
shoot the clay pigeon was shown for the first
time.
This was saucer shaped image Of clay,
which when thrown from a specially de-
signed trap went sailing rapidly through the
air to distance of from thirty to forty-tive
yards, according as desired and governed by
the tension of the spring on the trap. These
disks were more uneven in their flight, and
were easier influenced by the wind, thus
making the task of breaking them by no
means easy. Shooters Immediately saw the
immense advantage these targets had over
glass balls, and they at once sprang into ia
vor.
INTRODUCING THE CLAY BIRDS.
The company engaged in their manufac-
ture secured the services of the noted shots,
Capt. Bogardus and Dr.. Carver, and they
Travelled all over the country, shooting
matches together at the clay birds. The fame
of these marksmen drew attention to the new
targets, and soon they were used In all sec
lions. Since that time new companies have
been formed for the manufacture of other
and improved styles of birds and traps until
now there are half q dozen factories in exist
ence, which turn out many hundreds of thou
sand targets each year Some of these birds
are made of clay, like the original one, and
others still of composition of which tar is
the chief ingredient, but all retain nearly the
same saucer shape as in the first invention.
These rival companies sent their agents
into every city, town and hamlet in the
United States, and were the means of form
ing many fourishing gun clubs. With a
club in their native place, and a shoot going
on once or twice week, what more natural
than that the interest of the young men
should be aroused. Guns were bought, am
munition ordered and soon the country was
crowded with sportsmen. When practice had
made them reasonably expert, it was in or
der for one club to try conclusions with
another.
1t was only step from that to the tourra-
ments, where all could enter, whether mem
Der Of any club or not. These tournaments
served to still further excite the interest of
participants, and much friendly rivalry en-
sued. On these occasions sweepstake matches
were shot, open to ali for amounts varying
from fifty cents to IS or So, which was usu-
ally divided into three or four parts, so, 30
and 20 per cent, or 40, 80, 20 and 10 per cent,
governed by the number Of entries.
AT first it was possible for some contestants
to make money at these events but as prac-
tice makes perfect, and some had more time
to devote to practice than Others, their skill
improved. and two or three shooting as part
ners, In other words, forming a combination,
were able, by dropping bird or two for a
place, to gobble all the money at the expense
of the weaker shots. OF course, where such
combinations are worked, it makes the sport
very expensive for the non-winners, but the
poor amateurs have stood their ground,
shooting as if determined to get there event
York Sun.
Men are seldum moderated; t,e merkury
in man finds its true level in the eyes ov the
world just az certainly az it duz in the glass
ov q thermometer.
NJ beginners in literature are alwus both
cred tew find a subjskt tsw write on; az