New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-14
RABBIT AND SQUIRREL SHOOTING.
GOOD SPORT FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT LIKE
HARD TRAMPS ...--


GOOD SPORT FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT LIKE
HARD TRAMPs.
With the rpening nuts and falling leaves Of Octo-
Der the for shooting rabbit and SOUR.
rel. To the veteran gunner, now well advanced
in years these branches of the sport are particu-
larry attractive. He has passed the period when
a day OF thrashing through thick alders and Dog
underbrush for woodcock and grouse or coufsinS
over miles of heather and stubble after wandering
covey OF quail is pleasureunalloyed. For him
the quleter. slower and more gentle phases OF gun
ming acquire charms. and he sees as never De-
fore the host OF pleasures and profits that attend
"A days rabbit squirrel shooting.
Both Of these toothsome creatures can yet be
found in fair numbers in places not very remote
from this city and in spots comparatively easy OF
access II desires to hunt nearer home than
the Northeastern Pennsylvania woods at Milford
and all along the banks Of the Delaware. he VIII
find in Morris County, New-Jersey and in Fair
field and New-Haven counties in Connecticut, some
very good shooting on both animals. Even in
Northern Westchester and Southern Dutchess ana
Orange counties. in cur State. he will find
fair sport with the gray squirrels, though fewer
rabbits than in former years Let him take along Tor
a comfortable equipment light douole-parreiied
l2-gauge shotgun, and shells loaded with from
three to three and a half drains OF powder and
an ounce OF No shot II he has rough. strong
old si, Of tweed or cheviot of some neutral color
had better It than anything dark, as being
less conspicuous against the autumn browns and
grays of the woods Some soft hat that the chance
bushes will be apt to brush off will be most
practical and comfortable.
He will find himself launched in a pursuit now
where speed. activity and strength are at dis
count and moderation and stealth and observation
are at a high premium. II he decides to hunt Erer
Rabbit ard takes dog along he Will pick out one
OF the numerous smooth-worn little paths with
which the thickets around warren abound and
send the pup in TO start up the game S.ngularly
enough the rabbit. although OF the nlmbest
and most agile OF wild creatures, never leaps
fence or hedge. however low 1t may be. II there 10
the slightest possibility for him to find some crevcs
opening through which TO creep. He VIII run for
a long way along a rambling two-foot stone wall
anxously peering for a gateway. though he
could with great This habit makes 1t
simple work to hunt him The gunner merely waits
and watches by one OF these little paths, while his
dog runs through the bushes soaring up the cotton
tails Sooner later The frightened bunny Is sure
to scamper down that particular road and meet his
death. He is fleet, and It requires good shot 10
bag him when he Is on the dead Jump and little
distance away. An anxious lookout for the dog
must always be kept too lest he be running hard
on the rabbits trail and receive part or all OF the
charge. Many have no dog and are still able 10
bag goody numbe. Of rabbits in a days shooting
by stealthily creeping on them feeding or play
ing at some distance from their burrows. When
the hunter comes FEEDING cottontail and can
only get shadowy glimpse OF the two long ears
through the weeds sharp, shri whistle viii often
cause him 10 and rear up on his launches to
see what caused the noise. This gives a momentary
opportunity TO aim. 1t is. however considered
rather unsportsmanlike If a man understands shoot
ing at all well to take advantage of such chance
to shoot the animal when motionless. Killing him
on the run or when jumping is considered fair play.
and requires all the skill Of a practical wing shot
on birds
The squirrel haunts a different sort OF region. He
clings to the tai. timber and heavy, woods only
coming out into the orchards and fields for short
time after dawn TO feed Al this season S gT0S We
a popular resort. Sometimes score OF big. blshy.
Of oaks and dozen men who did not understand
squirrel hunting might pass Directly oeneatn tne
Merely trampng through the woods with gun on
Ing T M sana LOOKS s
place before he has been in the shaIow Of those
shells and bitten things more or less fresh tell him
Gals have lately been at work He notices the group
OF oaks well laden with acorns and sitting down on
me rusN His patience a viii meet With certain reward
Soon his quick ear will catch the pattering OF BITS
smack will come from lofty branch, and soon
several audible gatherings break on the air. 4
under a sudden added weight. and among the sway;
s E basnes and the
position taking his stand under different tree ana
long the alarm mat scattered tne SURVIVORS VIII
have subslled and conversation and labor in the
treetops will be resumed often two old males Will
come plungng down tree trunk In q mad chase,
or stand lighting hercely limb oblivious to all
dangers. These fail easy victims. The buck
squirrels, after they pass their youth. seem all to
become sour and ugly IN disposition, and one VIII
frequently find them with one eye an ear or tail
gone marks OF some prior encounter.
Two gunners hunting together will invariably bag
more squirrels than two travelling separately. for
this reason A favorite and often highly successful
of scared bushy tail Is to dart around a tree
trunk and always keep the tree between the hunter
and himself. II the hunter has companion on the
further side OF them will surely catch Mr.
Squirrel this trick. and II they always make II .
rule never shoot lower than twenty feet from the
ground there is danger OF one njurns the other.