Norwich bulletin., 1913-09-24
sPORTSMEN SEE
 GOOD SEASON AHEAD.
Rabbits About Average = Many Quail and Partridge.

Sportsmen who have had Opportuni- ty to visit the woods and fields during the latter summer and the residents of the rural districts agree that game birds are going to be the most pIenti- full this fall iii a number of years. Squirrels and rabbits are reported in average numbers, except that in cer- tain sections where the finetooth comb method of hunting the wild bunnies with ferrets day and night has sadly d the number of the Cottontails.
 ] will be found in far greater numpers than any time in some years. Ten years ago unfaVorable winters nearly exterminated the old sturdy Bob White, but for several years past their numbers have been steadily increasing and the keen little birds are to be found everywhere now. The old New England quail is to a large extent, however, a bird of the past in this section, the birds to be found now be- ing the offspring of birds brought in from the south to fill the depleted GOV CTS of a few years ago, or a. cross be- tween the old and the new variety. Occasionally, however, one finds a coVey of the cid native birds robust, strong of wind and of brighter mark Ings than the birds which are sup planting them.
 The early spring and summer were favorable to the young birds and some good sport for the wing shot is prom ised as a result. Disease or bad spring weather at times kills off the young broods to such an extent that three out of four birds bagged by the spOrtsmen in the fall will be old birds.
 The ruffed grouse, the finest of New Engiand's game birds, promises to be plentiful this year, and a number Of fiocks, already almost indistinguish- able from thelr parents, have been re- ported. In one section several hocKs of quail nearly full grown were report ed in July, and since then the old birds have rlised second brOOdS which promise to bc well able to care for themselves wher the time comes The rufed grouse holds UnchaIlenged first place in the heart of the bird hunter, but the smart little quail furnish good sport when located in good cover. In thick brush tEey are a most discOuT- aging mark or account of their small size and the speed with which they jump from the ground and dart away.
 Few native wOOdcock are killed by Connecticut hunters. Not many breed in this state and these few generally leave for the south before the shooting season is well under way here. At times, however, the migratory birds furnish excellent sport when they drop for the day in some alder swamp or on some birch covered hillside.
 Deer are constantly on the increase and where a few years past deer was an unusual sight they are now seen daily and in considerable mum bers, Though the bill providing for an open season on the animals was killed in the legislature. it is probable that an open season will be provided in the near future, and then, for a time at least. Connecticut venison will be found very plentiful.
 This vicinity offers no especially att tractive duck shooting compared with that found at various points along the coast, but several good bags have been already brought in from the brooks and ponds and their number will be considerably increased as colder weather sets in.
 Though the law on game birds and quadrupeds does not lift until Oct. s, Town Clerk Holbrook has already is sued we'll towards 100 licenses to local hunters who plan to set forth as soon as the curtain is lifted.