The morning call., 1894-02-23
THE FIRST SHOOT.
Merry Sportsmen Gather at the
Oakland Track

The Gun Club held its first shoot of the sea-
son yesterday afternoon at the Oakland Trot-
ting PARK. There was quite a large gathering
of sportsmen from the Country Club and other
clubs interested in field sports present, who
discussed with evident PLEASURE the incidents
and accidents that occurred on upland and
marsh during the game-shootiDg season which
is now about to close.
Among the most interested OF the sportsmen
present was the president of the club, John X
Orr, who, by the way, shot exceedingly we'll
notwilhst nding the fact that his score was not
up TO he usual standard. MIR. Orr accounted
for his misses by stating that be was expert
menting with various brands OF smokeess
powd r, the choicest of which lie Will use dur
ing the season for llve-pigeon shooting.
While MIR. Orr was mentally circulating the
results OF The powder tests Fred Webster
OF the Country Club In his inimitabe style at
tracted Mr.. OTr's attention by asking the IA
nous Snipe aud qnail stopper III he Won be
Kind enough TO experiment with new brand
of powder which is 10 be put on the market
this year.
and Informed Mr.. Webster that he would be
only too happy. indeed, TO try the new smoke
less.
Two clriridges were proffered him, and Civ
ing his new while hat an additional bend over
his Keen eyes Mr.. Orr stepped gracefully to the
score.
"Are you ready. sir ?" inquired Trapper Rice.
can ready" responded the noted sport smau.
The trap was sprung aud away darted a mot
tied bird IN the direction oil the Country Club
preserve.
Two little reports were heard. They were oc-
casi0ned by the cracking OF caps.
''Why, thunder. what kind OF powder are
these cartridges loaded with. Freddie?' querled
MIR. Orr as b. look final look OF disgust at the
RAPIDLY vanishing pigeon.
Koars of Laughter followed when Webster
who was hid behind Bob WoOdward's SOM
brero, shouted: Baking powder, John, and the
drinks are on you, old boy"
Unnecessary TO say that Mr. Orr thoroughly
I'D faa lola and
smile again.
Another incident worthy of note happened
during The shoot VIII Kittle had his favorite
English setter Duke on the ground
The dog was determined To have a 90 at re-
trieviDg dead and wounded birds, just TO prove,
as II were, TO the spoftsmen present that he had
not been on the idle list during the game-shoot-
1rapper Rice has an old Irish warrior who
has seen service at the traps for a number OF
years, aud If there Is anything imaginable that
angers The old setter IL is intrusion from "out-
side" dogs.
Kittle's Duke and Riee's Bob left their mas
ters 10 excellent start for wounded bird
that was Tapping his last flap near one Of the
traps. Old IRISH IS generally slow and cautious
when retrieving dead OF wounded birds, but on
this occasion he Travelled faster Than the
famous trotting dog and reached game first.
Duke arrived good seco d, and thinking, like
every dog Of royal blood, that he could get
away win common Irish setter, made grab
fof flesh and feathers.
Bob would not tolerate any such conduct and
dropping the bird on the cold, cold earth, he
looked Duke in the eye, as much as to say:
"Touch IL. If you dare"
Duke sood his ground and was celebrating
what he had best do In the matter, when lille
bit of a poodle stole march on the TWO big
'uns aud packed of the dead bird 10 his master,
who was ''tcked 10 death" over the occur ence
During the shoot another little matter when
linked uD" he referee bit happened. Among
the conf estants were two gentlemen named
respectfully DOnabue aud DOnohoe. In calling
of MIR. So-and-so 10 the rap the referee had TO
use strong emphasis on the last syllable VIII n
the Turn OF either of these sportsmen mentioned
arrived 10 shoot Finally. to make positive
who was who. he would shout ia turn 'Alr.
DonOhoe of the Country Club 10 the Trap" or
"Mr. Donahue of The Gun Club 10 The trap"
The day was beautiful and the birds proved
good travellers.
The following is a summary of the shoot c
twelve birds, usual rise: Ii. Babcock 10 j .
O'Cadman 8, j. X Orr 8, T. II. SWEET L. W j.
Golcher 10, f. Ewing 6, E. W. Chaplin 4, j. NJ.
Kilgarln 3 VIC; Brown UilIe Billy 4. A.
Hamilton 8. f. ID. Atherton Z, f. Webster o,
w. S. Kitlle 8, F. S. Butler Z. A. o. Tubbs IL,
r. B. Woodward s. r. A. EDDY TO- p. j. Dona-
hue 4. 5. A. Tuck T IL, I. Donohoe z, r. III.
Sprague g. E. p. Eyre 8, X. Oxnard B.
The club will hold seven shoots during the
season,