The San Francisco call., 1896-01-18

right to hunt on swamp lands. and in each
case the courts have decided in favor of the
sportsman against the preserve clubs,
But the end is not yet, for the members OF
the so-called preserve clubs are wealthy men
VINO nave voluntarily assessed themselves
large sums OF money to still further harasS
the courts
Now then, it is therefore the proper. time for
every individual who Is antagonlsuc 10 the
inauguration of an English system OF preserve
clubs in this glorious State TO lmmeQlately
JOIN the Sportsmen's Protective Assoclauohi or
such other kindred organizations as may De
formed throughout this State. II immediate
steps are not taken TO obliterate this pernlcious
system of preserve clubs, it is clear that within
very short time none but the wealthy Will
enjoy the sports of field and stream.
This is no idle talk, for I am creditably In
formed that there are now in process OF 1or-
nation several bodies OF wealthy men who
intend leasing the marshes IN Alame0a,
Sonoma and Contra Costa counties, should the
present cases before the courts be decided IN
favor of the. OCTOPUS clubs. Such being the
case as il now stands, unity OF acuon among
sportsmen is imperative. America should be
good enough for Americana, and no English
preserve laws should be tolerated. The action
OF a certain preserve club which has adopted
the subterfuge of the Southern Pacific of Ken
lucky, of incorporating under the laws Of the
State OF Colorado, so that II can break the laws
OF this State, conclusively proves who is the
law breaker, viz: The Preserve Club or the
true sportsmen OF California. Very respectfully
yours. WILLIAM J. AHERN,
A representative of a Novato marsh
duck-shooting club sends the following for
publication:
Ned Belcher, Harry Hammond and the Sta
pies brothers visited the latters' clubhouse
near NOVato, last sunday and returned Mon
day with SiXty-seven ducks as the result of
their outing There is no telling how many
they would have hagged if Belcher and Ham
mond had been able 10 locate their "blinds''
before they did. AS it was they became lost in
he II " IN
the opposite direction from which Hammond
said ne thought the ponds were that they
Iou!lu Ileln Il al. IheF report the pros as
quite plentiful and easily decOyed. The Meri-
monte Club, which is located about one mile
and hall north Of their clubhouse, has been
batting the ponds on their preserve lately, but
Staples thinks il VIII not hurt the shooting on
their marsh much, and If anything, will give
them good chance at some OF the well-ted
birds.
I'VE noticed in a recent exchange" says
the Sporting Lie of New York, IAN artl-
Gle commenting on the fact that proml-
nent shooting men taxi part il matches
under an assumed name and they
wonder what there is about the pastlme
that prompts some of the prominent par
ticipants TO hide their identity. They
claim that such marksmen as Fred Hoey,
George Work Edgar Murphy, Charles
Manchester and several others seem glad
TO have it known that they are proficient
IN that branch OF field work, but four-ltths
of the shooters hide behind the bushes of
assumed names. The exchange goes on to
say that in all other departments OF sport
the contestants are glad TO nave it known
that they excel, but the average trap
shooter is either overweighted by modesty
or else ashamed to have it known that he
INDUCES in the sport.
The Life goes on TO explain why some
trap-shooters hide their Identity under as
sumed names, and the explanation must
ssh red lNT ha sHsAoT n II
City, who are thoroughly aware of the
shooting abilities of the sporting editors
OF the local daily and weekly papers. THE
CALL Is of course excepted, as it sporting
editor prides himself on the fact of having
missed such a big object as an Oakland
ferry boat On some occasions; but that
was owing TO a miscalcUlation of time and
distance, and-is therefore eXcusabIe.
The explanation that we can give on
the matter may not be very clear" SAYS
the Life, but nevertheless there are very
good reasons Tor some shooters using an
assumed name. The first of these reasons
Is because OF modeSty that some men have
or the position that they hold. Take, for
instance, the case of a reporter or editor
Tor shooting paper. He may not feel
like writing up his good scores under his
own name fOr fear some one will think him
egOtistical- Another and very important
reason is that of business connections. We
whose only holidays were those spent at
the traps-and these were rather feW-was
obliged to stop shooting because of the
publicity given to his shooting, even when
using an assumed name, as reporters
would take special pains to give his cor
rect name in each instance, and ii caused
hlm so much trouble IN getting leave OF
absence to shoot pigeons that he was
obliged to discontinue the sport. Men
like Work, Murphy, Hoey, Manchester and
others of their class are men of leisure
who would in no way be affected by the
publicity OF their shooting"
The Nisalia Delta OF the 14th inst. says:
A complaint was filed in Judge Holders
court last week charging Dave Carter of Three
Rivers with a violation OF the game laws,
namely, killing deer. Carter came in,
pleaded guilty TO the charge and paid the fine.
The spirit displayed Dy Carter in this matter
Is highly cOmmendaDle. He bears no feeling
of i'll viii against those responsible for his ar
rest, but seems 10 be pleased to know that we
have q Game Warden who is determined TO see
the game laws enforced.
Much credit is due Game Warden Weaver
and Supervisor Ellis for the faithful manner in
which they worked 10 secure the evidence n
this case, which, had the case gone to trial,
would have been more than sufficient TO secure
8 conviction.
This case is but the beginning OF the war
Several more prosecutions viii follow as soon
as the necessary evidence can be secured.
II Is stated that in a certain well-known set
tlement in the mountains OF this county deer
are killed at any and all seasons of the year
Acting on this information Mr.. Weaver has
taken steps TO secure the necessary evidence
against the offenders, and it is safe to predict
sometimes is dear meat, and the provisions of
our game laws are to be rigidly enforced in