The Republican journal., 1918-12-05
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Cordially,
TED

What is good book on the animals OF
this country and Canada, or the continent
want one which includes the fur bearers
as well as the game species and also the So
called vermin, or beasts of prey.
H. L. M, Port Jervis, N. Y.
"American Animals, by Wilmer Stone
and William Everett Cram, covers every
thing from the house mouse to the Polar
bear and the jaguar, does it well, and is
handsomely illustrated from photographs
Last winter there were some large gray
hawks in the woods in this vicinity right in
the middle of the winter, and it was quite
evident they were not the kind we are ac-
customed to seeing in summer and which
we call "hen hawks" These gray hawks
were usually seen in pairs, and when hunt
ing rabbits / several times scared one up
from the ground but could never find where
he had been eating a rrbbt. Can you tell
me what kind of hawks these are and if
they are enemies of our rabbits and par
tr'dges?
b.. D., Dover, N. ].
Undoubtedly the goshawk, which is at
home in Canada and migrates southwark
in severe winters. They are indeed great
enemies OF the ruffed grouse and the rab-
bits, both the varying hare and the cot
tontail. The hawks you put up from the
ground were in all probability hunting on
foot, which is characteristic of this
species. Shoot every such hawk you
get a chance to.
What is the lightest practical load for use
in 2O-quage gun? have little 5 a
pound double hammerIess of English make
which, although its barrels are only 26
inches long and not bored full choke, is a
serviceabe weapon. My wife, for whom
bought it, has graduated and now shoots a
r. guaee, and l would like to start my
thirteen-year-old daughter shooting with the
little gun, if can get load for her which
will make it kick less than the standard
loads do.
| N. J. D.. Lexington, Ky.
We would recommend drains of either
j E. C. or Schultz bulk smok eless and ga
ounce of chilled shot, the latter to be 6s
for rabbits, 7 1-2's for clay birds, and 8's
for quail. The powders mentioned are
the easiest on the shoulder that can be
obtained, imparting about fifty feet per
second less muZZle velocity to the shot
than is given by DUPONT smokeless or the
dense powders, yet they hold their own
with all makes, even in trap shooting.
have just this year discovered, by acct
dent, that have ABOVE average ability as a
pistol shot, without any training, having a
naturally very steady hand, and in addition
being a prescription clerk in drug store
which gives me constant training in hand
steadiness pouring medicines into meas
uring glass. Now wish you would advise
me whe ther it will be good or bad for me te
practice with light loads, sometimes called
reduced loads. lprefer to do this as it viii
keep down expense and save noise, and
find Can shoot the light loads with mors
accuracy: but the question is, will be al
lowed to use them IN competitor. and if moi
will then be at a disadvantage!
W. w., New Orleans, La.
You will do best to use only the full
standard loads, as in all military matche.
you will have to use them, and in fac
will seldom have any other choice Prac.
tice with reduced loads and match shoot.
ing with full loads do not work out salts
factorily. If the proposition could b
reversed il would be fine,