Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1904-09-01
GUNNERS WILL HAVE
SOME GREAT SPORT.

SUM II GkEAI SPOkT.
I The first part of the cunning season
in Pennsylvania and New Jersey has
opened with plover shooting, and, ON
September l, sportsmen will have their
fill in being allowed to go after the
dainty reed bird and more substantial
rail bird. This is the time of the year
when the true gunner begins to get
his gun in, shape and to condition his
bird dog for the bird and rabbit shoot
ing which soon becomes legal.
The Upland plover season in Penn
sylvania lasts from July Is until Jam
ury l, and any plover killed, exposed
for sale or had in possession between
january ! and July 10 entails a fine
OF $40 for each bird. In this state the
season is confined to two months,
from August until September 30, and
a bird found in anyone's possession
after those months will bring a 500
fine on the transgressor. All non-resi
dents are compelled to take out a
license before they can hunt with
gun, the same to be obtained from any
county clerk in the state at a cost of
$11.
There are not many places in east
ern Pennsylvania where good upland
plover shooting is to be had, the best
being along the New Hope branch of
the Reading railway or along the
Perkiomen Valley. In New Jersey the
country around Alloway junction
Salem and Grenloch are choicest loca-
tions there being plenty of old grass
meadows there.
Theh most suitable gun with which
to hunt the plover is twelve-g gauge
hammerless Of any make from seven
to seven and one half pounds.
The right barrel should be modified
choked and the left barrel full choked
and the barrels should be about twenty
eight inches long. The length of the
stock and drop Of same depends on
the build of the person who is shoot
ing.
A tall man with long reach should
use about fourteen and half
inch stock and a three inch drop at
the heel of the gun. A man of ordi-
nary build should use fourteen inch
stock and two and three-quarter inch
drop. A short stout naaR from thir4
teen to thirteen and one-half inch
stock and three inch drop The best
loads for plover shooting are three
drains of any good smokeless powder
one and one-eighth ounces of No. s
chilled shot in the right barrel and
three and one-quarter drains of powder
and one and one-quarter ounces of No.
shot in the left barrel. The heavier
load works much better on long kills
which are often necessary when hunt
ing plover.
The most successful way to hunt
plover is to first find piece Of coun-
try that is not farmed such as COW
pasture for that is the home of the
plover. Then hunt around until the
birds are located. When they are
first flushed they will not fly over 100
or 200 yards. Watch where they
alight and when located great precau-
tion must be used as they are wild and
foxy birds. If possible have an old
team start and drive around the birds
in a circle always closing in nearer
Another good way is for the shooter
to tie some straw green brush around
him and go slowly toward the birds in
a STOPPING position. If the gunner is
successful in wing tipping a bird tie
him out in the field and hide within
gun shot distance. 1t may take half
an hour or longer but he will soon
start Topping and whistling and when
he does look out for the rest of the
birds for they are sure to come This
plan has been known to fail.
The upland plover is about as large
as SQUAD pigeon and his food con-
sists mostly of grasshoppers. He is
one of the most toothsome of game
birds. TO have success in hunting him
requires a great deal of patience.
Never try to hunt plover by walking
out exposed as he will never allow
person to get within gun shot dis
tance.
The season for reed and rail bird
shooting opens Septebmer 1 in this
state and Pennsylvania and lasts until
frost drives them southwark which
have cunning skiffs and all the neces-
sary articles that are used in hunting
reed and railbirds. The best tides for
this shooting are the afternoon tides.
The best rail bird shooting around
this section is found on the Maurice
rier in this state where large kills are