The San Francisco call., 1898-01-15
DUCK SHOOTING
 IS NOW AT ITS BEST.

The last rainstorm, which was of small consequence, however, had the effect of scattering the wild ducks in all directions. thereby giving all classes of shooters an opportunity of bagging a few birds.
 The cream of the sport has been skinned by the hunters who have shot over the ponds of Alvarado and Mount Eden during the past few weeks. Two hunters-Williamson and Fentres-dis- posed of 400 cartridges last Thursday while shooting in one of the large sloughs near the bay of Alvarado. Their joint bag consisted of 135 ducks, Of the sprig, teal and spoonbin varietiNs.
 man named Potter bagged twenty seven canvasbacks in a fresh-water pond not far distant from Mount Eden last Tuesday morning. Pete McCrae was in the feathers last Sunday He returned rom Mount Eden vicinity with a splendid bag of birds, but he was not the only successful hunter. There were several men on board the evening train from Al VlSO last Sunday who had good straps of teal and spoonbiu, which were doubtless shot by the light of tie moon. The sport should be good to-day all along the bay shore from Mount Eden to Alviso
 SpOrtsmen have not been meeting with very good success of late on the Sonoma marshes, but as the birds are returning from frozen ponds in the country there should be frst-class all-rOund shooting to-day and tomorrow. Teal are said to be quite plentiful on the Empire Club [ near the bay shore.
 Sculling for ducks was the pastime of the Sportsmen who visited the SuiSun marshes during the past month The last brief rain scattered the birds. but they have returned, and good slough shooting should be had tomorrow. MesSrS. May nard and Chesley and Dr. Ayers will scun for teal and mallard tomorrow in the SuiSun sloughs, and as they are all expert gunners, their friends can safely count upon some nice table birds on their return to this city.
 The snipe hunters are perfectly dis gusted. The long bill scrapers are down in the southern part of the State where the climate Is mild and boring an easy task. With a change in the weather the king of table birds will return to their old haunts, and it is hardly necessary to say that they will receive a warm recep- ton from sportSmen who are anXiously waiting a chance to swing a gun on the little beauties.
 The quail hunters should be up and do- ing, as the present weather is just right for hill-tramping; the birds are to be found on the sunny slopes where the cover is thin and few obstacles in the way of the hunter.
 A special train will leave Sausalito at II 30 tonight for Duncans Mills and way stations. Quail shooters should avail i themselves of the opportunity of good shoot near Bay View and Females sta- tions, where birds are plentiful. It is no trick for the lovers of cottontan rabbit shooting to kill fifty or more of the lit tie animals on the sand hills near To- males in a few hours.
 Charles Hoover and O. Fincke, sports men who have a well-fitted up shooting lodge near ''the Bridges" at Alviso sue ceeded in bagging several large duck last Saturday and Sunday. Their guests were Philo Jacoby. A. Beth and Charles Waither. Beth brought down two fine mallards which fell into the slough. but as the sportsman could not swim. and as the water was too cold to enjoy natator- ial sports, he informed his friend Jacoby ! that he could have the birds if he desired, but they drifted with the tide to the bay.