Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-08

sportsmen the country over. It can well
be doubted If there are two men in the
biological survey who ever saw $50 ruff
fed grouse in their wild state in one
season. That is lot Of birds,
Years ago. when buffalo hides could be
had for the killing or bought for a song
large number of buffalo overcoats for
the use of soldiers serving on the plains.
This was more than twenty-five years
ago. They are still in stock. Last year
some 300 of them were sold for about $50
each, but their sale was stopped, as 1t
was found that they made ideal coats for
troops serving in Alaska.
Many stories are told of the wonderful
speed of bird dogs in the field, but B. IL.
Weeks tells one of the speed Of his setter
Ida in the woods. and it can be substan-
tiated by eyewitnesses for the benefit of
the doubling ThOmases. Ida was hunting
on the banks of the South Anna river in
when she saw flying squirrel. overlook,
caught and retrieved it. Bring on your
rabbit dogs.
George Cooper and party of friends
nave returned from Potomac creek. They
had some splendid duck shooting. They
killed two wild turkeys and had fair
sport with the quail.
Harry Rapley and John Auth have been
enjoying some splendid duck shooting at
Hollands point, Va. Numerous reports
from Potomac points indicate that ducks
are on the river in great numbers.
Gen. j. A. Buchanan and a party of
friends have returned from a shooting
trip in North Carolina. The scarcity Of
birds in this section does not apply to
more southern points. for the shooting in
the south is said to be better than usual.
most Of the week shooting in Anne
Arundel county. Nd. They make a bet
ter report of game conditions than most
returning hunters, they having made a
ideal field trial ground, having great
stretches of open ground. He reports
Frank Huseman's setter dog as doing
great bird work all during the trip.
Commenting on note in this column
in the District of Columbia. the Sports
mems Review expresses regret that the
field trial movement fell through All
In good time. BY next year a first-class
trial will be held in this vicinity. The
birds are here and that Is what field
trial patrons are c:amoring for.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch Of last
Monday had a strong article favoring
the closing of the open season on game
in Virginia January l. instead OF Febru-
airy L. as it now stands. 1t says that
sportsmen in all sections OF the state re-
port unusually small bags, and say the
birds have taken to the thick timber and
s'wamps for protection. All true sports
men in this city heartily indorse the
change. The simple truth of the matter
is that unless some adequate protection
is given them quail will soon be eX-
tinct in nearby sections of Virginia Tn
der the present system of farming land
is so closely cultivated and grazed there
is not covert enough left idle to pro-
tect the birds from their worst enemy
the hawk. and they are forced to the
woods and swamps for self-preservation.
r. E. Beal of Berwyn has spent much
of his leave hunting for birds in various
places in Maryland and Virginia. He re-
ports birds as scarce in both states, so
came back home and found more than in
of protected birds in the District of CO.
lumbia overflow into adjoining counties,
the result being more coveys than in
more distant points.
The Brightwood Field Dog Club is not
nearly so imposing other country
clubs around Washington. but it's ha-
bitues have just as good a time. They
have added a store and several cork
screws to their equipment, and intend
having an Opening" in the near future,
to which all lovers of bird dogs are in
vited. Guides will be stationed along the
route to direct strangers 10 1t.
An interesting letter from William X.
Major, ir.. who has spent November at
his country home in Connecticut, states
that he has oiled and put away his gun
for brief time before coming south after
quail. He bagged thirty-siX ruffed grouse
In November, this being the legal limit
under state laws.
While shooting in Louisa county. Va. a
few days since. a sportsman was In a
| pine thicket so dense that 1t was actually
dark under the trees. a single bird got
up and the sportsman fired In his direc-
ton. but. OF course, missed. He turned
around and, TO his surprise, saw what at
first he took for the ghost of Rip Van
Wrinkle. a venerable citizen with long
gray beard, who. it was afterward
| learned was exempt from service in the
civil war account of his age. came
slowly toward him. leaning on hickory
cane. The hunter was greatly surprised
at the apparition. but said: ut is guess
work shooting in this thicket." The old
gentleman answered, 1T may be for you,
but Tubby Dickinson gets 'em every
time" When 1t was found that he knew
had recently broken his leg. We'll" was
the answer. when you see him again, tell
| him Old Billy McGee-that's me-was
running around arter the wirnmen and
fell down and broke his old leg. too" So.
Tub. here is a greeting from Uncle
Billy. His hunting days-after certain
kinds of game-have passed, but he
was kind i'm pointing out to two
strangers places where birds could be
found.