The record-union., 1895-07-01
TEE Dove SHOOTING SEASON OPEN.
Many Men VIII HE Themselves to
the Fields To-day.
The Law, However. Permits shooting
to Begin Too EarlY-Precau-
tions Against Fire.

So far as the law is concerned. any per-
son Will be privileged to shoot doves on
and after to-day, and it is understood
that quite number of local sportsmen
are going to the country bright and early
this morning TO shoot (at) these s"lI'-
winged and toothsome BIRDS.
One small party, including Governor
Budd. will be the guests Of Charles stud
arms at his ranch near Milrs Station, a
short distance beyond ROutiers, while
others will go toward Roseville, the San
Juan Grant. and to various points up ana
down the river.
July Ist is really too soon to permit
doves to be shot, as but few OF the hrst
brood Of the season are on the wing at
that date, while the old birds are hatch
ing their second broods. Many sports
men would refrain from shooting doves
now were it not for the fact that there are
no many more who will not be governed
by any consideration other than desire
to make big bags, that those who re-
Trained from shooting would be practl-
caliy deprived Of the opportunity TO get
any dove shooting at all.
The law in respect to this kind of game
is wrong. Doves should be projected
until August 1st, at least in this part OF
the State. With the opening OF the sea-
son on July 1st, it will not be many years
until this species of game will be we'll
nigh exterminated.
Those who do go dove-shooting should
take every possible precaution at this
season OF the year against setting ire to
grain fields and pastures. All vegetation
Is now as dry as tinder. and but spark
ia necessary to set 1t on fire. Most farm
M nor
until the grain Is all threshed and hauled
away, and they cannot be blamed for
this, for many men and boys that go
Rfield are careless and often do great
damage.
The nitro powders now SO generally
used are more dangerous in this respect
than black powder, for they are lighter
and the residue thrown from the gun is
apt to burn after falling to the ground.
However, lfthe shooter will observe care
fully the result after each shot there is
really little danger of setting IRE to any
thing.
The best way to avoid setting fire is
to select some roadway or swale where
grass and grain do not grow. Another
good plan TO follow is not to shoot at birds
near the ground. From shot fired into
the air at any considerable elevation
there is practically no danger to be feared
from fire.
Dove-shooting on pass" or regular
line of flight, which these birds so often
follow, is very exciting sport, for the
birds then fly with much greater speed
and it is more difficult to stop them. 10
sit under a tree and shoot birds Just as
they are about to alight is no test OF skill,
and soon becomes mon0tonous, but he
who stops his birds while they are under
full headway need not be ashamed Of his
work.
All experienced sportsmen naturally
have their favorite ways of loading cart
ridges and know about what sort OF loads
they require in order to get the best pos
sible results. Novices, however, must
either take the advice of others or learn
by experience. For twelve-gauge gun
OF ordinary weight from TWO and one
half to three drains of black powder Is
sufficient for dove-shooting-or any small
game, Tor that matter-and from one TO
one and One-eighth ounces of No. s or o..
shot. Heavier loads or larger shot is
not necessary.
AS TO nitro powders, these vary so
much in specific gravity and force. ac-
cording to the different brands, that those
who are not accustomed TO their use
should consult someone who is familiar
with these explosives or be guided by the
directions Of the manufacturers.