The San Francisco call., 1901-12-07
GUNMEN SECURE
STALL RETURNS
OWING TO FOG
Ducks Keep to the Bay
and Avoid Baited
Ponds.

The dense tule fog of last Saturday and
Sunday was like pail to the gunmen. 1t
spoiled the shooting for an army of
sportsmen as the news spread about after
Thanksgiving day that the marshes were
full of birds. The trains going to Alva-
rado and other points along the southern
bay shore were crowded with men who
expected a good days shoot The birds
kept on the bay and were hidden by the
fog. The fog upset all calculations and
instead of ducks the shooters gathered
city heavily laden with this deIicacy.
The reports from Suisun are the same,
none of the preserves yielding any birds.
The majority of the clubs in this district,
including the Ibis and the Teal, are said
to have had their best shooting for this
season, owing to the large quantity of
water about the marsh.
Mr.. Morse of the Spooney Gun Club was
the most successful of the members who
shot over the club preserves near Mount
Eden last Sunday. He proved the best
shot of the day. getting nearly the limit
The other members in attendance affirm
that he was lost to their sight in the fog
for a time and hint at his possibly hav-
ing met a market hunter. Mr.. Morse
thinks this is merely a little professional
Ed Kerrison and a friend killed thirteen
canyasbacks last Sunday near Collinsville
Down at Mount Eden Frank Schultz
killed six ducks in the dense fog. Al
Thiebaut killed 6, Max Rosenthal 10, AL
Newman u and Billy Farren g.
John w Gates, the steel trust magnate,
and his friends created the greatest stir
of the week among the sportsmen who
find pastime in handling deuble-barreled
shotgun. Last Sunday Billy Kittle and
other members of the Country Club gave
them a pleasant day on the Marin County
preserves after quail, snipe and ducks.
On Tuesday, despite the rain, they went
to Ingleside and spent the afternoon at
the trans. One member Of the party is
American amateur champion and another
has for several years shot at all the big
European meetings, so they had no favors
to ask from the local experts Otto Feud-
ner won the freeze out, but he and Haight
lost the match race. although the former
shot to form and upheld his corner of the
contest.
The visitors all possess the finest guns
to be obtained. The majority of them
cost more than $500 each and are by the
most celebrated makers. The trap
shooting experts of the party use the
hammer guns. preferring them to the
less chance of a missfire, which would be
fatal in a tournament where men are
closely matched.
At the annual meeting of the Empire
Gun Club, held on Tuesday, the following
officers were elected for the ensuing year
James P. Sweeney. president w. o. Gull
len vice president; J. B. Hauer, secretary
and treasurer; j. Peltier, manager; J. H.
burst. captain: A. ]. Webb, lieutenant
captain. and C. A. Bennett, sergeant at
arms. The club is in a most prosperous
condition. The members expect good
shooting for the remainder of the season
on their preserves. The recent rains filed
the ponds. which are heavily baited Birds
in large numbers are seen about the pre-
serves daily. Early next year the trap
shooting programme will be arranged It
is intended to offer valuable prizes in both
open and club events.