The San Francisco call., 1899-11-25
SPORT OF THE
GUNMEN STILL
REMAINS POOR
Birds Feed on Overlooked
Lands Rather Than on
Baited Ponds.

Duck and quail shooting this season is
still far below the average in quality eX
pectcd by the men who shoot in the field
or on the preserves OF the well known gun
clubs. The carefully baited ponds have
been no special inducement to the birds,
as the heavy fall of rain has caused
great area OF country TO be flooded. Some
Of the birds are veritable scavengers and
prefer TO feed on the corn roots, herbs
and other articles brought down by the
foods rather than on the grain laden
ponds.
Tomales Bay is said to be the abiding
place of countless thousands OF ducks at
which the city sportsman seldom has an
opportunity 10 shoot. II is claimed the
Country Club members could have had
great shooting during the past week had
they known of the number Of ducks that
fed for time on their preserve. There
was heavy flight of birds from To-
males Bay 10 what is known as the
''snipe" patch. The birds ted there un-
disturbed.
The price Of canvasback ducks has
dropped from SIP dozen TO Sc during the
past week The market men affirm the
birds have been sent down from the
north. on the other hand II is claimed by
sportsmen that the fishermen on the Sac
ramento River are netting the birds, US
ing fine mesh net in which TO entrap
%
CT the birGs show shot marks. Market
hunters have no conscience and resort 10
any method TO secure birds. one man
bought $500 fish hooks last year and after
batting them with potatoes was ready for
business. 1t is claimed ne caught more
birds than he could possibly secure leglt-
mGtely. These are the men whom gem
uine Sportsmen are trying To bring within
the pale Of the law.
The California Fish and Game Commits
sion is making a determined stand against
l4l.H 49, lrNll
ing deer out of season. Deputy A. +.
Lea arrested James Manloye some days
since for killing deer and the case will be
pressed against him. Three convictions
will be continued. 1t is known that the
local authorities have not been able TO
cope with the men who have been en-
gagged in this work, hence the Game Com
missioner has gone TO their assistance.
The members Of the Black Jack Gun
Club had moderate sport at Sherman ISL
forty-three birds. divided among cans" 5"
spoonbills and teal. Newton Hickman
was high gun The other members in at
tendance were Fred Johnson, Bert Wy
man, BILLY" Swain and Bert Patrick.
Frank Haight shot as the guest OF the
club members.
A number Of olympic Gun Club mem
bers visited the clubs preserve last Sun
day, but secured poor returns for their
efforts. The day was warm and cloudy
and few birds were in evidence. DIR. A.
Milt Unger and j. c. Jenson secured
three each, and F. b. Surryhne one. h
B. Hosmer and ]. j. Wirtner drew blanks
The rules governing the use of the club 3
preserve provide that 1t will be available
for members on Wednesday, Saturday
and Sunday Of each week. To afford the
members a two-day shoot next week the
grounds will be open on Thursday
Thanksgiving day. as well as on Wednes-
day.
NJ c. Allen. president of the club, has
recovered from severe attack of typhoid
malaria and Is able to be about again
Harvey McMurchy is In Humboldt
County, where he anticipates good sport
after mountain quail and also In steelhead
fishing.
Phil Bekeart and Dr. E n Short were
down Niles way last Sunday and then
spent several days at Salmon Creek. So
noma County, after quail. Birds were
scarce and the shooting but little above
the ordinary.
Frank Maskey. who knows the countr,
about Point Reyes as well as any man,
spent Wednesday in that locality
Charles Ray and II. +. Rose have leased
private shooting. They will erect blinds
and other necessary accommodations at
once
DR.. F. ]. Lane and a companion went
to Sonoma County last Sunday in quest
OF quail. They found none. but made a
bag of smaller birds.
The members of Lincoln Gun Club will
hold turkey shoot on their club grounds.
Alameda Point, Thanksgiving day Al
though IL is called a turkey shoot" the
There are eight events on the programme
for all classes of trap shooters with a
consolation event for men who have not
won during the day. One of the events
VIII be a three-man team shoot, each man
on the winning team receiving a turkey
snort ar1la ann at