The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-09-02
THE GUN.
SpOrtsmen Discuss Shooting of
DebiIitated Pigeons.

Quite nice point has been raised by some
spOrtsmen over the recent dOve-killing contest
of the Country Club at Monterey. 1t is not a
question Of merit or demerit Of dOve-Slaughter
as a sport, nor has 1t any reference to sensa
lions OF a "sOciety" dame as she chews a no
shot with tender pigeon pie after the tourna-
ment.
Genuine sportsmen have fairly defined ideas
on the value OF putting sickly and fright ened
pigeons within few yards Of gun already at
the shoulder. To man who trudges over long
stretches OF marsh or rough hilsides TO get a
shot at game birds this Monterey exhibition
appears excessively tame. The comparison
suggests the great difference between whipping
purling mountain brook for trout that will
fight and fishing from mudSc0w with bob lines
for rOckcOd.
The point mentioned in more than one
spOrtsmen's resort is question of legal or Off.
ca interference.
They could not hold that Monterey tourna-
ment in this county," was the remark OF we'll
known hunter who can hang as many scalps on
his belt as the best OF them. what would be
the result If The Country Club attempted to hold
a trap shoot IN San Francisco County? The
participants would be arrested for cruelty, and
the contest would be stopped by the Society for
Suppression OF Cruelty TO Animals It appears
TO me that II Monterey County has such a
society 1t ought TO 60 out of existence. It is
worse than useless. That the treatment OF
doves al the Monterey tournament is extremely
cruel goes without saying. The birds are first
OF all packed into crates, from which they are
taken more dead than alive; then they are
hustled into traps, frightened into flying away
and frequently crushed TO death after being
tortured with small shot In the wings or legs.
LAT present there seems 10 De no general law
for preventing cruel treatment OF animals, or
at lie IL is not enforced throughout the State.
Only in a few counties where humane societies
attend to business Is there any protection for
dumb bruIes, and This state OF affairs has led
me TO believe that the State ought TO frame a
law appointing a humane commission with
authority in every county TO punish offenders"
OF course Votaries of trap shooting offer
reasonable arguments I'D their own defense
that 10 cruelty is practiced in The rapid shoot
lug OF pigeons. But on this 1t will be seen
SpOrtSmen differ.
A bluerock tournament, to be open to all
corners, will be held at the grounds or the En-
plIe Gun Club, Alameda, September Is. On
this occasion pool. team and prize shooting viii
be INDUCED in. Quite number of prizes are
which circular giving tull particulars is in
preparation. The club has decided to make
the price of birds cents 10 all contestants
Among the future events are the following:
The California State SpOrtSman's AsSocia-
tion annual tournament at Los Angeles, on
September IA, Is and 16.
The California Wing Shooting Club at Oak
land IacetTack September 2.
The Olympic IrapSh0OteTS' last shoot of the
season at OaRland track September 9.
The Empire Gun Clubs contest at Alameda
Point September 8.
According TO the regulations made by county
Boards OF Supervisors for protection of game
under the State law the close season began yes
teTday, September 1, for deer in the following
counties: Los Angeles. Monterey. San Luis
Obspo, san Mateo. Santa Clara, Shasta and
Ventura. In Alameda the season closes on
September 2, In Napa September 5 and in
SonOma September 4.
The open season began September 1 in coun-
ties as follows: FL Dorado, deer; Humboldt
grouse or snlpe; Napa, wild duck. snipe or
rail; Nevada, deer; Placer. deer; PlumaS,
deer; Siskiyou, deer.