The Portland daily press., 1895-04-10
THE FIELD OF SPORT.
Duck Shooting.

The rain of Tuesday WAS suoh as would be
likely to bring the wild ducks and geese
along; and a number of Portland sportsmen
left town during the day to be in their
ambuscades by dawn this mGrni ng, Tho
ponds in the country .around here. as well
as che waters of the bay are favorie stop
ping places for the.birds in theirsmicntions;
and some of the older sportslnen make n
regular business ofTcampaigning against the
wary flyers. One club has comfortable
hunting camp by pond, with u keeper the
year around, and various blinds built on
shore and in the middle of the pond. in
the outfit of this club are a number of
trained decoys, tame geese and ducks, that
lure the wild birds within.ransesof the hun
ter guns. It is surprising how intelligent
these decoys become. By means OF straps
attached to the legs and a string with
stone anchor, the decoys are kept swimming
or feeding within proper, distances. From
time to time these birds will raise their
heads and gaze about the horizon. If they
espy wild birds they at once set up great
outories which almost invariably attract
the unsuspecting travellers. Afte. the wild
flock has Sc tiled among the'decoys the
shooting begins, the hunters of course be-
ing careful to hit none but the wild birds.
The decoys rather enjoy The shooting, div
ing and sporting about while it is going on.
When the shooting is over the keeper takes
boat and rowing out to his decoys, says:
Come, jump in here" and one by one they
leap into the boat. Some of the decoys are
trained even iuore wonderfully ssthan this.
and keep their proper stations without the
string and anchor. After the wild birds
have arrived they judiciously edge away
and gradually work towards the shore be-
fore the firing begins.
1t is mean business that these decoy
birds are engaged in; but they know no bet
ter and did not think of 1t themselves.
Of course all the Portland hunters are.not
as well equipped for sport. but one or two
clubs have their tame decoys.
wild Geese Pass Cash's Corner Safely.
A tired flock of wild geese created quite
az amount of excitement at Cash's Corner
South Portland, Tuesday morning. They.
PASSED over as usual without Injury.
Sporting Notes.
The Diamond Rifle Club at Auburn is GET
ting ready for practice.
A wheel club of thirty members has been
organized at Norway with the following
officers; headquarters over E. E. Millett's
store, Main Street:
President-P. r.. Bradbury.
Captain-L. P. SWEET.
1st Lieutenant-C. B. Pile
Secretary and Treasurer-D. Sanborn
The meeting OF the Maine Game and Pro-
tectiye association will be held Thursday
evening in Lewiston. A large attendance is
nd 10 irah H.
important bsiness is to be done. The Maine
Central gives half fare to and from Lewis
ton to members.
Base Ball Notes.
When Rusie reported at New York few
weeks ago he weighed 228 pounds. Now be
weighs 200.
Manager Doe has signed Steere for New
Bedford.
New Bedford is to give Charles A. CLANCY,
a we'll known twirler of Westerly. R. l., n
trial in the box this year.
The Lewistons are experiencing dose Of
sour grapes this year. Last year they were
booming Spill UP ito beat the band.'' Tits
year they say otherwise.
Manager Burnham passed through the city
yesterday on his way to Augusta. He say
that he is looking for man to captain the
Augusta team.
?awtucket has signed fourteen men SO
far.
Most of The Portland team are expected
about the middle Of next week.
Lewiston claims to have the heaviest bat
ting team in the league this .year. From
the following list it doesn't Eappear to be a
very formidable aggregation. "Dan" Burke,
catcher, Mains and Watkins, kpitohers, Le-
hane, rirst base, Petit. second base. RegaD,
short stop or third base, Flaek, left field,
Slattery, centre field,