The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-04-28
HUNT WITH CAMERA
GEORGE sHlRAs, 3RD, URGES II
AS A MOST SATISFACTORY
FORM OF SPORT.
NOVEL NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
BY Using the Devices of the Trapper,
One May Get Pictures Of Many
Night-Loving Animals Close
to Homes.

Washington, D. George Shiras,
Bird, who has just arrived in Panama
to assist Colonel Goethals in making
the canal zone large and safe haven
for birds and animals, is the originator
Of night photography Of wild animals
and the pioneer hunter with the cam
era. When In congress he was the
author of the original bills putting mi
gratory fish and birds under federal
control, the bill pertaining to birds
becoming law last year under the
name of the Weeks-McLean bill. He
has also suggested series Of interna-
tonal agreements to protect birds MI
grating between nations, In a brief
filed with the senate.
Mr. Shiras' most recent contribution
on the subject of the newest form OF
sport, camera hunting, is IN the shape
of communication to the National
Geographic society. He opens up
wide range of possibilities for the
sportsman and throws new light on
the proper way to teach the young
idea how to shoot"
Uses Methods Of Trapper.
"a camera and accessories can be
30 arranged that any animal or bird,
and many a reptile, however large or
small, agile or cunning, may have its
picture faithfully recorded during day
light or darkness, without the immedi-
ate presence of a human assistant,
writes Mr.. Shiras. ITO meet the diff
suitable to the habits of each animal
In the main, have used many Of the
devices of the trapper rather than
the hunter, substituting the automatic
camera for the trap and using the
same bats and scents in favorable 10
calities and during the season of the
year when success is likely. Some
who take up concentrating become
discouraged by early failures and are
unable to see how such an instrument
can ever be satisfactory substitute
for the sportsman's gun. Others con
tinue on until won over by the attract
iveness of a contest where success:
cost no life or an awkwardly handled
camera leaves no wounded animal t
die a lingering death"
Mr.. Shiras sets his camera and flash
light before darkness. A string across
the runway, along which the animal Ii
expected to come, or bait connected
by cord with the shutter and fasl
apparatus are all the mechanical con
trivances necessary. He lets the ami
NAL do the rest.
Plenty of Animals Near Homes.
I 81 think very few persons suspec
the abundance Of night-loving ami
mails in the vicinity of country homes
where there is dense thicket,
swamp or a rocky rayine," he con
tinues. IT have set out every white
for several years past camera ant
fashlight In the town Of Ormon
Beach, Fla, within one hundred yard
of dozen cottages and great win
ter hotel harboring thousand guest
and employees. Nearly every nigh
came the burst of a brilliant light be
twixt an orange grove and a thicket
During SO nights in 1913 the negative
showed II skunks, pine of which wer
of different markings; four coons
three possums, one cat, one pointe
dog, two rabbits and four wood-rats
yet neither the visitors, natives no
caretakers in this. vicinity ever Ell
countered any of these animals.
THE feeling l so strongly expires
for the camera as the better medium
for testing ones skill in the pursui
of wild animals and birds, in acquirin
a knowledge of their habits, and final
ly in getting a sufficiently satisfac
the impression that / look with COZ
siderable disfavor upon those wit
hunt with deadHer weapon. Yer
much to the contrary is the case wher
ever the sportsman shoots in modera
ton and is willing to cooperate il
the efforts to conserve the game SUI
ply by shorter seasons, by the estat
lishment of game refugees and In tn
elimination of the market hunter. Tn
sentimentalist who decries the Kill
ing of all game birds and animals
not infrequently one who grumble
when joint is tough because tn
lamb was not killed earlier in it
gambols.
THE successful wing-shot, who er
joys plucking from the air a bird o.
it's meteoric fight across the sky, car
If he tries, capture one, a dozen or 10
within the confines OF a sensitiv
plate, while marsh scene or IN
rolling breakers give q life view Il
striking contrast to the pathetic hea
Of blood-stained, umpled feather
marking at the close of day the az
curacy of his aim. So, too, the big
game hunter, rewarded in his ques
for an antlered head. may continu
on during the remainder Of his wood
land visit taking many more. but Il
q way that lessons neither life nor tn
enjoyment of the hunter"