The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-04-02
the GUN.
Artificial Bird shootIng-A Sport That
Is Growing more Popular Every
Year.

Trap shooting was, until few years ago,
confined almost wholly to professionals, and
very few amateurs were skillful enough to
be ranked as experts. Now. however, there
are cl1bs In every big city, and some Of the
amateur sportsmen would not make at all a
bad showing even by the side of such distin-
guished shots as Bogardus, DR.. Carver ard
other noted guns Of the trap aud hunting
field. The glass ball. formerly so popular in
matches at the traps, is now quite a thing
of the past Where live pigeons are not en-
ployed the artificial pigeon Is the universal
substitute. Trap shooting with artificial
birds Is one OF the least expensive sports, yet
ole Of the most enjoyable. So many I'm
provements have been made recently in the
manufacture Of pigeons that the natural ac-
tion of the bird is now simulated with re-
markable fidelity and practice at the inani-
mate birds Is considered just as good for the
marksman as though he were shooting at
live pigeons.
All matches at artificial birds are shot from
three or five traps set level, five yards apart,
in the segment OF circle or In a straight
line and numbered consecutively. These
traps should throw the birds from 40 to 60
yards. The puller stands six feet behind
the shooter and pulls at the latter's COM
mand. II he pulls too early the marksman
can refuse the bird, and he Is then entitled
to another. In single bird shooting, the rise
is regulated according TO the gun used, and
runs from Is to i18 yards; In doubles 1t Is
from II to 16 yards. With singles one barrel
only is loaded at time. Position has good
deal to do with success in trap shooting. Al
though the marksman may assume any
standing attitude he pleases, he will find
most Of those Of his own choice ungraceful
and Ineffective. The late Ira Paine used to
stand with the stock of his gun almost rest
ing on his right hip end the barrels raised to
an angle of forty-6ve degrees ready for the
word.
Bogardus invariably held his gun below
the elbow, with the barrel slightly raised,
according to Hurlingham Club rules. Dr.
CaIver's pose Is unique. His left arm Is
held perfectly straight, the left hand grasp
ing the barrel far forward aud the stock Of
the gun near, but not pressing the chest be-
low the armpit
The position officially adopted by the ma
tiOnal association and approved by the best
clubs, Is to have the stock OF the gun held
lightly below the armpit, little higher than
| the elbow, the barrel raised to a level with
the chin, the head erect and the feet squarely
| placed. This position calls for the least
change before the shot Is actually deliy-
/ cred.
/ Another important consideration is the
gun. Eastern experts, while using variety
/ of guns, differing widely as to weight and
| bore, have about concluded that the lighter
the gun the better. The day Of heavy weight
| guns for trap or wing shooting has passed
away. A good hard-h hitting gun with Dam
ascus steel barrels, English walnut stock,
| checkered and engraved. can be bought for
| $50. Guns of American manufacture are
Il mostly used they are cheaper tnan tnOse I'm
| ported, wear as we'll and give general salts
In loading for trap shooting, for 12-guage
| gun, three drains Of powder and two wads
| are put back Of one and one-eighth ounces Of
Under the rules Of the American Associa-
tion, which have been revised within the
last few weeks, any weight gun Is permis-
cailbie. siioi The powder charge Is u1liwited n
and the charge OF shot for 1O-bOre guns is
fixed at 1t ounces. Each contestant mnst
shoot at three or more birds before leaving
the score. In doubles both traps are sprung
simultaneously, and each contestant shoots
at three pairs, firing at two birds while both
are In the air. When the traps ara set in a
straight line, instead of In the sekment OF a
circle, rapid firing system Is used, the traps
are screened and numbered, and the marks.
man stands opposite the first trap, shoots his
bird and then passes on to the right, shoot
ing from the successive traps until he
reaches the end of his score
The Portland Gun Club have replenished
their stock Of birds, overhauled their traps,
adding new features, and will open the sea-
son with series of matches on Fast Day.
Their annual meeting occurs Friday. April
4th, when they will elect officers for the en-
suing year and act upon the various spplca-
tl0ns Tor membership already In hand.
- Their shooting grounds are reached by the
Ocean street cars, and on each Wednesday
they receive visitors, who are always well
come.