The San Francisco call., 1908-07-16
Deer and Doves Are
Easily Found
Hunters of State Are Successful
on First Day of the Open
Season
By Lawrence LAYERS

The hunting grounds of California re-
sounded yesterday to the crack of rifle
and boom Of shotgun, for the laws bar
rier against the killing of dove and
deer had been raised. The wary old
buck that during breeding time had
bssked in his security from mans pur-
suit was driven from one hiding place
to another, only to be routed out and
pursued until nightfall came on and the
relentless trailers withdrew.
The hunting season for 190S-09 is on
in full swing. Its opening was most
auspicious. A balmy summer day with
a gentle cooling breeze greeted the
nimrods as they rolled out of their
blankets shortly before daylight. Game
was easily found. The deer hunters
were out in force, and while of course
not every one returned at sundown
with fine buck strapped to his saddle
very few camps on the hunting grounds
were without venison. Very few of the
deer hunters returned home last night.
but telephone communications to
friends in this city from those afield
told Of varying successes. 1t is esti-
mated that this seasons opening was
the most successful in years.
According to such information as
could be gathered young deer-spike
bucks and prong horns-were plentiful
Some large older ones were brought
down, but the younger ones predomi-
mated In the number of slain The law
forbidding the unrestrained hunting
with hounds probably is responsible
for this condition of affairs.
In the regions OF the klamath many
deer were bagged. Telephone COM
munication from there yesterday after
noon announced that one or two parties
had returned before noon with two deer
the seasons limit.
Other parties were still out. but
many, not content with single buck
were trying TO secure another before
nightfall. Probably a score of local
gunmen opened the season at that
place.
Many who hunted the hills of the
Marin shore were successful. Return
ing home last night these brought their
game with them.
While reports from all parts of the
state were not obtainable it is believed
that better than the average run of
hunting luck was met. The old cry
against the law prohibiting the hunt
ing OF deer with dogs was again heard
yesterday, but the new law has gained
many friends since It's good effects are
beginning to be shown and the OBJ
jectors were a small minority. Their
contention is that when dogs are used
they can be sent in to investigate
strange noises in the underbrush which
are likely 10 draw shot from over
anxious sportsmen, often with fatal re-
suit to other hunters. The argument
that no proof can be obtained to show
whether dogs were used before or
after a deer was wounded has also been
proven untrue, as several convictions
were obtained for such offenses last
year.
The only complaint made by the
army of dove hunters was that the
limit of 25 for one day was too easily
obtained. Doves in all sections of the
state were found to be plentiful and
4imit bags were the rule rather than
the exception. Those who hunt doves
for the sport, however, need not COM
plain, for while the dove is the easiest
bird in the world to kill IL q hunter
thinks only of killing it. it is one of the
hardest to shoot on the wing, and any