Year: 1859

we proceed to lay before our readers, the
rules for the government Of pigeon shooting
matches, in their most fully revised state.


1t is not expected that the following rules
will be found to meet every case which may
arise, they will, at least, be the means OF
settling satisfactorily most of the disputes
and doubts which 50 frequently occur in the
course Of match. Experience may alter,
modify or add to them.


/. The gun must not be carried to the
shoulder till the shooter has called "Pull."


@ A mistlre no shot provided the shooter
has cap or tube on the gun, and it be
cooked and loaded.


3. If person pulls the trap without no.
tce from the shooter, he has the option to
take the bird or not.


4. If, on the trap being pulled, the bird
does not rise, it is at the option of the shoot
er to take it or not; but if not, he must de-
clare it by saying mo bird"


5. Each bird must be recovered within the
boundary, or it must be scored as lost


6 If bird that has been shot settles on the
top of the fence, or on any of the buildings
or in tree within the ground, it is to be
scored lost bird.


: Or if a bird settles on the top Of the fence
or on any Of the buildings or in tree, and
then falls dead to the ground, it is to be
scored lost bird


8. If a bird once ont Of the ground should
return and fall dead within the boundary,
it must be scored a lost bird


o. If the shooter advances to the trap and
orders it to be pulled, and does not shoot at
the Bird or his gun is not loaded, or does
not 90 off, owing to his negligence, that
bird is to be scored lost


10. Should bird not fly when tho trap
is pulled, and the shooter does not call out
mo Bird" but shoots at either on the
trap or the ground and misses it, it shall be
scored Iost but should he kill the same it
does not score either way, and he must then
shoot at another Bird


II. Should bid that has been shot be
flying away, and "scout" fires and brings
the bird down within the boundary, the ref
cree may, if satisfied the bird would not
have fallen by the gun of the shooter, order
the shooter to shoot at another bird.


l2 The bird must be killed when upon
the wing to score fair bird. and the shooter
is bound at any time to gather his bird, or
depute some person to do so when called
upon by his opponent; but in so doing he
must not be assisted by any other person, or
use any description Of implement. Should
the shooter be in any way baffled by his op-
ponent. or by any of the party shooting he
can claim another bird with the sanction of
the referee.


10. Shooting from Five Traps, or II and T
traps and in the case of single shootng.-lt
more than one trap is pulled, so that more
than Que bird is on the wing, or at large at
the same time, the shooter has the option of
shooting or not; if he kills the bird must
be scored but should he miss, he can claim
another bird


A. SHOOTING FROM FIVE TRArs-DoUBLE
SuooTING.-When more than two traps are
pulled at the same time the shooter may kill
all he can, and they shall be scored; and
should he miss any Of the birds they are not
TO be scored against him, but he can claim
to shoot at others


Is. In shooting from II and r traps, ac-
cording to the toss the trap must be pulled,
but no more than one string can he pulled.
Traps to be filled and tossed for every shot.


Is. The shooter cannot leave the shooting
mark under any pretense to follow up any
bird that will not rise, but is walking away
from the trap after it is pulled.


IT, In matches or in sweepstakes, when
shot is limited, any shooter found to have in
his gun quarter Of an ounce more shot
than is allowed is to be at once disqualified.


IS. Any shooter is compelled to unload
his gun on being challenged but if the
charge shall be found not to exceed the al
lowance, the challenger shall pay 81 to the
shooter, and which must be paid before he is
entitled to shoot again.


10. A shooter may at any time object to
the use Of spring trp either in match or
sweepstakes.


20. In shooting for sweepstakes or for
prizes, if there is tie, the shooters may
agree to divide; but if any refuse, it must be
shot off, and any person being absent when
called upon to shoot off on the same day,
or any appointed day, cannot have any
claim to the said prizes or sweepstakes.
This rule does not apply to match.


2l. In shooting matches, or in sweepstakes,
or for prizes the shooter is bound IN his turn
to appear at the scratch within five minutes
when called upon, but in case Of accident,
twenty minutes may be allowed.


%. A person receiving any number OF
live birds from his opponent in match may
have the privilege of shooting at them at
the commencement or at the end OF the



23. The right distance to shoot from the
trap is q yards, and boundary not to ex-
ceed 100 yards from the trap. In shooting
from five traps, the whole Of the said traps
must be placed in a semi circle, at equal dis
tances apart, in front of tho shooter. A
shooter may use as much powder as he likes