Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-09


birds while both are in the air. The rise for
| 10-bore guns is 80 yards, for 12-bore % yards,
for IA and 16-bore 26 yards. The rule as to
| ammunition is the same as for clay birds.
There are clubs in a number of States affili-
ated with the American Association, and all
shoot under the rules quoted.
THOUSANDS OF BIRDS KILLED.
The leading clubs in hve-bird shooting
are the Westmin inster Kennel Club, of New
York; the Carteret Gun Club; the Bergen
| Club, of New Jersey; the Country Club, of
WestcEester, N. Y, the Larchmont Club
and the Toxedo Club. Thousands of birds
are used in matches. In the match between
DIR. Knapp and Major Jones, lasting three
days, 1000 were used, Knapp alone killing
over 1000. These marksmen can easily
average 85 per cent at live birds, but they
would not do so well at clay pigeons, as all
their practice is with blue rocks and Peor-
las. 1t is customary to have on the club
grounds supply of live birds at all times
for emergencies. The Country Club charges
Its members rom 80 to 30 cents per bird. This
club and several others have extensive
pigeon-houses in which blue rocks are kept
all the year round. Some of the clubs also
keep tame pigeons, but they are not SO de-
sirable for trap shooting, lacking the gamey
qualities and dash of the wild bird.
Famous shots like DR.. Carver, Bogardus,
Brokaw and few others can kill SO live
birds out of 100. Frank Glass, of Pine
brook, n. j., Mr.. Beam, DIR. Welch, of
Englewood, have also done remarkable
shooting. The six brothers Lengerke, of
New York, have run up brilliant scores at
live birds, several of them averaging 81
out of 100 in both singles and doubles.
HINTS FOR AMATEURS.
The organization of trap shooting club
is not very expensive affair. The best
way for a company of amateurs to proceed
about it as follows: Let them first secure
their ground and then buy three traps for
clay birds, which will cost them about So.
These traps can throw any kind of artificial
bird, and are easily changed to shoot in all
directions. A first-class afternoons sport
at the clavs won't cost the members over 50
should dig pit on the ground about three
or four feet deep, and protect it by screen
for the use of the men who set the traps
If they want to kill live birds. a trap csn
be made very cheaply by any carpenter. 1t
is bo1-shaped device. 10 by s inches long
and inches deep, and can be either of wood
or metal. 1t should be painted green, which
color does not distract the eye OF the marks
man. The trap is secured in place by two
iron pins driven through the bottom and
into the ground. 1t consists of six pieces
held together by hinges and so arranged that
when sprung to release the pigeon the top
and sides, front and rear, shall fall out
ward, leaving the whole affair fiat on the
ground.
IT FRIGHTENS THE BIRD.
There is lateral sliding door on the rear
end, through which the bird is admitted,
and the front is barred like coop. In the
center of the trap is metal or wooden
tongue, pivoted on spring. and to this
tongue a red rag is attached. To spring the
trap the puller takes hold of cord attached
to a leather strap on top; single tug re-
leases the fore-end OF the top and as it comes
up, the sides and ends fall away with
catter. At the same instant the spring on
the tongue is released and the bird, startled
by the noise and the sight of the red rag,
flies upward with a rush.
In two cases lately brought by the Society
for the Prevention OF Cruelty to Animals in
Trenton and Philadelphia, the decisions
were in favor of the right of the clubs to
shoot live birds. A few of the States still
prohibit pigeon shooting, Connecticut being
one of them; but in New York. New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and in the West generally,
the sport is allowed. A SPORTSMAN,