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FISHING AND
SHOOTING SKETCHES
From Copyrij;lit Photo, by Pach.
Fishing and
Shooting Sketches
BY
GROVER CLEVELAND
Illustrated by
HENRY S. WATSON
NEW YORK
THE OUTING PUBLISHING COMPANY
1906
Copyright, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, by The Curtis
Publishing Co.
Copyright, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, by The Independent.
Copyright, 1903, by The Press Publishing Co.
Copyright, 1905, by The Country Calendar.
Copyright, 1906, by The Outing Publishing Company.
Entered at Stationers' Hall, London, England.
All Rights Reserved.
the outing press
deposit, n. y.
"■mzjif^k-
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CONTENTS
PAGE
THE MISSION OF SPORT AND
OUTDOOR LIFE ... 3
A DEFENSE OF FISHERMEN . 19
THE SERENE DUCK HUNTER . 49
THE MISSION OF FISHING AND
FISHERMEN . . . .79
SOME FISHING PRETENSES AND
AFFECTATIONS . . .111
Contents
PAGE
SUMMER SHOOTING . . .139
CONCERNING RABBIT SHOOT-
ING 153
A WORD TO FISHERMEN . , 165
A DUCK HUNTING TRIP . .179
QUAIL SHOOTING . .. .197
The Mission of Sport and
Outdoor Life
I AM sure that it Is not necessary
for me, at this late day, to dwell
upon the fact that I am an en-
thusiast in my devotion to hunting
and fishing, as well as every other
kind of outdoor recreation. I am so
proud of this devotion that, although
my sporting proclivities have at times
subjected me to criticism and petty
3
The Mission of Sport
forms of persecution, I make no
claim that my steadfastness should
be looked upon as manifesting the
courage of martyrdom. On the con-
trary, I regard these criticisms and
persecutions as nothing more seri-
ous than gnat stings suffered on the
bank of a stream — vexations to be
borne with patience and afterward
easily submerged in the memory of
abundant delightful accompaniments.
Thus, when short fishing excursions,
in which I have sought relief from
the wearing labors and perplexities
of official duty, have been denounced
In a mendacious newspaper as dis-
honest devices to cover scandalous
revelry, I have been able to enjoy
a sort of pleasurable contempt for
the author of this accusation, while
4
and Outdoor Life
congratulating myself on the men-
tal and physical restoration I had
derived from these excursions. So,
also, when people, more mistaken than
malicious, have wagged their heads
in pitying fashion and deprecated my
indulgence In hunting and fishing friv-
olity, which, in high public service, I
have found it easy to lament the neg-
lect of these amiable persons to ac-
cumulate for their delectation a fund
of charming sporting reminiscence;
while, at the same time, I sadly re-
flected how their dispositions might
have been sweetened and their lives
made happier if they had yielded
something to the particular type of
frivolity which they deplored.
I hope it may not be amiss for me
to supplement these personal obser-
5
The Mission of Sport
vatlons by the direct confession that,
so far as my attachment to outdoor
sports may be considered a fault, I
am, as related to this especial predica-
ment of guilt, utterly incorrigible and
shameless. Not many years ago,
while residing in a non-sporting but
delightfully cultured and refined com-
munity, I found that considerable in-
dignation had been aroused among
certain good neighbors and friends,
because it had been said of me that
I was willing to associate in the field
with any loafer who was the owner
of a dog and gun. I am sure that
I did not in the least undervalue the
extreme friendliness of those inclined
to intervene in my defense; and yet,
at the risk of doing an apparently
ungracious thing, I felt Inexorably
6
and Outdoor Life
constrained to check their kindly ef-
forts by promptly conceding that the
charge was too nearly true to be de-
nied.
There can be no doubt that certain
men are endowed with a sort of in-
herent and spontaneous instinct which
leads them to hunting and fishing in-
dulgence as the most alluring and
satisfying of all recreations. In this
view, I believe it may be safely said
that the true hunter or fisherman is
born, not made. I believe, too, that
those who thus by instinct and birth-
right belong to the sporting frater-
nity and are actuated by a genuine
sporting spirit, are neither cruel, nor
greedy and wasteful of the game and
fish they pursue; and I am convinced
that there can be no better conserva-
7
The Mission of Sport
tors of the sensible and provident pro-
tection of game and fish than those
who are enthusiastic in their pursuit,
but who, at the same time, are regu-
lated and restrained by the sort of
chivalric fairness and generosity, felt
and recognized by every true sports-
man.
While it is most agreeable thus to
consider hunting and fishing as consti-
tuting, for those especially endowed
for their enjoyment, the most tempt-
ing of outdoor sports, it Is easily ap-
parent that there is a practical value
to these sports as well as all other out-
door recreations, which rests upon a
broader foundation. Though the de-
lightful and passionate love for out-
door sports and recreation is not be-
stowed upon every one as a natural
8
and Outdoor Life
gift, they are so palpably related to
health and vigor, and so inseparably
connected with the work of life and
comfort of existence, that it is happily
ordained that a desire or a willingness
for their enjoyment may be cultivated
to an extent sufficient to meet the re-
quirements of health and self-care. In
other words, all but the absolutely in-
different can be made to realize that
outdoor air and activity, intimacy with
nature and acquaintanceship with
birds and animals and fish, are essen-
tial to physical and mental strength,
under the exactions of an unescapable
decree.
Men may accumulate wealth in neg-
lect of the law of recreation; but how
infinitely much they will forfeit, in the
deprivation of wholesome vigor, in
9
The Mission of Sport
the loss of the placid fitness for the
quiet joys and comforts of advancing
years, and In the displacement of con-
tented age by the demon of querulous
and premature decrepitude !
"For the good God who loveth us
He made and loveth all."
A Law not to Be Disobeyed
Men, In disobedience of this law,
may achieve triumph In the world of
science, education and art; but how
unsatisfying are the rewards thus
gained if they hasten the night when
no man can work, and if the later
hours of life are haunted by futile
regrets for what is still left undone,
that might have been done if there
had been closer communion with na-
ture's visible forms!
lo
.(^ v„ , .
il'M5'W"i'H-
and Outdoor Life
In addition to the delight which
outdoor recreations afford to those in-
stinctively in harmony with their en-
joyment, and after a recognition of
the fact that a knowledge of their
nerve- and muscle-saving ministra-
tions may be sensibly cultivated, there
still remains another large item that
should be placed to their credit.
Every individual, as a unit in the
scheme of civilized social life, owes
to every man, woman and child within
such relationship an uninterrupted
contribution to the fund of enlivening
and pleasurable social intercourse.
None of us can deny this obligation;
and none of us can discharge it as
we ought, if our contributions are
made in the questionable coin of sor-
didness and nature's perversion. Our
13
The Mission of Sport
experience and observation supply
abundant proof that those who con-
tribute most generously to the exhila-
ration and charm of social intercourse
will be found among the disciples of
outdoor recreation, who are in touch
with nature and have thus kept fresh
and unperverted a simple love of hu-
manity's best environment.
A Chance in the Open for All
It seems to me that thoughtful men
should not be accused of exaggerated
fears when they deprecate the wealth-
mad rush and struggle of American
life and the consequent neglect of out-
door recreation, with the impairment
of that mental and physical vigor ab-
solutely essential to our national wel-
fare, and so abundantly promised to
14
and Outdoor Life
those who gratefully recognize, in
nature's adjustment to the wants of
man, the care of "the good God" who
"made and loveth all."
Manifestly, if outdoor recreations
are important to the individual and to
the nation, and if there is danger of
their neglect, every instrumentality
should be heartily encouraged which
aims to create and stimulate their in-
dulgence in every form.
Fortunately, the field is broad and
furnishes a choice for all except those
wilfully at fault. The sky and sun
above the head, the soil beneath the
feet, and outdoor air on every side
are the indispensable requisites.
15
•^ 4 N.S<.»»
Si Jbeferjce oP
liSli I'i'iltte
A Defense of Fishermen
BY way of introduction and ex-
planation, it should be said
that there is no intention at
this time to deal with those who fish
for a livelihood. Those sturdy and
hard-working people need no vindi-
cation or defense. Our concern is
with those who fish because they have
an occult and mysterious instinct
which leads them to love it, because
they court the healthful, invigorating
exertion it invites, and because its in-
dulgence brings them in close contact
19
A Defense of Fishermen
and communion with Nature's best
and most elevating manifestations.
This sort of fishing is pleasure and
not work — sport and not money-grab-
bing. Therefore it is contemptuously
regarded in certain quarters as no bet-
ter than a waste of time.
Generous fishermen cannot fail to
look with pity upon the benighted
persons who have no better concep-
tion than this of the uses and benefi-
cent objects of rational diversion.
In these sad and ominous days of
mad fortune-chasing, every patriotic,
thoughtful citizen, whether he fishes
or not, should lament that we have
not among our coiuntrymen more
fishermen. There can be no doubt
that the promise of industrial peace,
of contented labor and of health-
20
A Defense of Fishermen
ful moderation in the pursuit of
wealth, in this democratic country of
ours, would be infinitely improved if
a large share of the time which has
been devoted to the concoction of trust
and business combinations, had been
spent in fishing.
The narrow and ill-conditioned
people who snarlingly count all fisher-
men as belonging to the lazy and
good-for-nothing class, and who take
satisfaction in describing an angler's
outfit as a contrivance with a hook at
one end and a fool at the other, have
been so thoroughly discredited that no
one could wish for their more irre-
deemable submersion. Statesmen,
judges, clergymen, lawyers and doc-
tors, as well as thousands of other
outspoken members of the fishing fra-
21
A Defense of Fishermen
ternity, have so effectively given the
he to these revilers of an honest
and conscientious brotherhood that a
large majority have been glad to find
refuge in ignominious silence.
Notwithstanding this, weak, piping
voices are still occasionally heard ac-
cusing fishermen of certain shortcom-
ings and faults. These are so unsub-
stantial and unimportant that, as
against the high place in the world's
esteem claimed by those who love to
fish, they might well be regarded as
non-essentials, or, in a phrase of the
day, as mere matters of detail. But,
although it may be true that these
charges are on the merits unworthy
of notice, it cannot be expected that
fishermen, proud of the name, will
be amiably willing to permit those
22
A Defense of Fishermen
making such accusations the satisfac-
tion of remaining unchallenged.
The Hangers-on of the Fraternity
At the outset, the fact should be
recognized that the community of
fishermen constitute a separate class
or a sub-race among the inhabitants
of the earth. It has sometimes been
said that fishermen cannot be manu-
factured. This is true to the extent
that nothing can supply the lack of cer-
tain inherent, constitutional and inborn
qualities or traits which are absolutely
necessary to a fisherman's make-up.
Of course there are many who call
themselves fishermen and who insist
upon their membership in the frater-
nity who have not in their veins a
drop of legitimate fisherman blood.
23
A Defense of Fishermen
Their self-asserted relationship is nev-
ertheless sometimes seized upon by
malicious or ignorant critics as per-
mitting the assumption that the weak-
nesses and sins of these pretenders are
the weaknesses and sins of genuine
fishermen; but in truth these pre-
tenders are only interlopers who have
learned a little fish language, who
love to fish only "when they bite,"
who whine at bad luck, who betray
incredulity when they hear a rous-
ing fish story, and who do or leave
undone many other things fatal to
good and regular standing. They
are like certain whites called squaw-
men, who hang about Indian reser-
vations, and gain certain advan-
tages in the tribes by marrying full-
blooded Indian women. Surely no
24
A Defense of Fishermen
just person would for a moment sup-
pose that genuine Indians could be
treated fairly by measuring them ac-
cording to a squaw-man standard.
Neither can genuine fishermen be fair-
ly treated by judging them according
to the standards presented by squaw-
fishermen.
In point of fact, full-blooded fisher-
men whose title is clear, and whose
natural qualifications are undisputed,
have ideas, habits of thought and men-
tal tendencies so peculiarly and espe-
cially their own, and their beliefs and
code of ethics are so exclusively fitted
to their needs and surroundings, that
an attempt on the part of strangers
to speak, or write concerning the char-
acter or conduct of its approved mem-
bership savors of impudent presump-
25
A Defense of Fishermen
tion. None but fishermen can prop-
erly deal with these delicate matters.
What sense is there in the charge
of laziness sometimes made against
true fishermen? Laziness has no place
in the constitution of a man who starts
at sunrise and tramps all day with
only a sandwich to eat, floundering
through bushes and briers and stum-
bling over rocks or wading streams in
pursuit of the elusive trout. Neither
can a fisherman who, with rod in hand,
sits in a boat or on a bank all day be
called lazy — provided he attends to
his fishing and is physically and men-
tally alert in his occupation. This
charge may perhaps be truthfully
made against squaw-fishermen who be-
come easily discouraged, who "tire
and faint" early, and lie down under
26
A Defense of Fishermen
the shade to sleep, or go in swimming,
or who gaze about or read a book
while their hooks rest baitless on the
bottom; but how false and unfair it
is to accuse regular, full-blooded fish-
ermen of laziness, based on such per-
formances as these ! And yet this is
absurdly done by those who cannot
tell a reel from a compass, and who
by way of familiarizing themselves
with their topic leave their beds at
eight o'clock in the morning, ride to
an office at ten, sit at a desk until
three or perhaps five, with an hour's
interval for a hearty luncheon, and go
home in the proud belief that they
have done an active, hard day's work.
Fishermen find no fault with what
they do in their own affairs, nor with
their conception of work; but they do
A Defense of Fishermen
insist that such people have no right
to impute laziness to those who fish.
Why Fish Stories Should Be Believed
It is sometimes said that there is
such close relationship between men-
dacity and fishing, that in matters con-
nected with their craft all fishermen
are untruthful. It must, of course, be
admitted that large stories of fishing
adventure are sometimes told by fish-
ermen— and why should this not be
so? Beyond all question there is no
sphere of human activity so full of
strange and wonderful incidents as
theirs. Fish are constantly doing the
most mysterious and startling things;
and no one has yet been wise enough
to explain their ways or account for
their conduct. The best fishermen do
28
A Defense of Fishermen
not attempt it; they move and strive
in the atmosphere of mystery and un-
certainty, constantly aiming to reach
results without a clue, and through
the cultivation of faculties, non-exist-
ent or inoperative in the common
mind.
In these circumstances fishermen
necessarily see and do wonderful
things. If those not members of the
brotherhood are unable to assimilate
the recital of these wonders, it is be-
cause their believing apparatus has
not been properly regulated and stimu-
lated. Such disability falls very far
short of justifying doubt as to the
truth of the narration. The things
narrated have been seen and experi-
enced with a fisherman's eyes and per-
ceptions. This is perfectly under-
29
A Defense of Fishermen
stood by listening fishermen; and they,
to their enjoyment and edification, are
permitted by a properly adjusted men-
tal equipment to believe what they
hear.
This faculty is one of the safest
signs of full-blooded right to member-
ship. If incredulity is intimated by a
professional member no Injustice will
be done if he is at once put under
suspicion as a squaw-fisherman. As
to non-members who accuse true
fishermen of falsehood, it is per-
fectly clear that they are utterly un-
fitted to deal with the subject. The
only theory fitting the condition leads
to the statement that any story of per-
sonal experience told by a fisherman
is to the fishing apprehension indu-
bitably true; and that since disbelief
30
A Defense of Fishermen
in other quarters is owing to the lack,
of this apprehension, the folly of ac-
cusing fishermen of habitual untruth-
fulness is quite apparent.
The Taking of the Leviathan
The position thus taken by the
brotherhood requires that they stand
solidly together in all circumstances.
Tarpon fishing has added greatly to
our responsibilities. Even larger fish
than these may, with the extension of
American possessions, fall within the
treatment of American fishermen. As
in all past emergencies, we shall be
found sufficient in such future exigen-
cies. All will go well if, without a
pretense of benevolent assimilation,
we still fish as is our wont, and con-
31
A Defense of Fishermen
tinue our belief in all that our breth-
ren declare they have done or can do.
A few thousand years ago the question
was impressively asked, "Canst thou
draw out leviathan with a hook?"
We must not falter, if, upon its repe-
tition in the future, a brother replies :
"Yes, with a ten-ounce rod;" nor
must we be staggered even if an-
other declares he has already landed
one of these monsters. If Ameri-
can institutions are found adequate
to the new tasks which Destiny has
put upon them in the extension of
our lands, the American Chapter of
the world's fishermen must not fail
by their time-honored methods and
practices, and by such truthfulness as
belongs to the fraternity in the narra-
tion of fishing adventure, to subdue
32
A Defense of Fishermen
any new difficulties presented by the
extension of our waters.
Why the Biggest Fish Are Always
Lost
Before leaving this branch of our
subject, especial reference should be
made to one item more conspicuous,
perhaps, than any other, among those
comprised in the general charge of
fishermen's mendacity. It is constant-
ly said that they greatly exaggerate
the size of the fish that are lost. This
accusation, though most frequently
and flippantly made, is in point of fact
based upon the most absurd arrogance
and a love of slanderous assertion that
passes understanding. These are
harsh words; but they are abundantly
justified.
33
A Defense of Fishermen
In the first place, all the presump-
tions are with the fisherman's conten-
tion. It is perfectly plain that large
fish are more apt to escape than small
ones. Of course their weight and
activity, combined with the increased
trickiness and resourcefulness of age
and experience, greatly increase their
ability to tear out the hook, and en-
hance the danger that their antics will
expose a fatal weakness in hook, lead-
er, line or rod. Another presump-
tion which must be regretfully men-
tioned, arises from the fact that in
many cases the encounter with a large
fish causes such excitement, and such
distraction or perversion of judgment,
on the part of the fisherman as leads
him to do the wrong thing or fail
to do the right thing at the critical
34
A Defense of Fishermen
instant — thus actually and effectively
contributing to an escape which could
not and would not have occurred ex-
cept in favor of a large fish.
Beyond these presumptions we have
the deliberate and simple story of the
fisherman himself, giving with the ut-
most sincerity all the details of his
misfortune, and indicating the length
of the fish he has lost, or giving in
pounds his exact weight. Now, why
should this statement be discredited?
It is made by one who struggled with
the escaped fish. Perhaps he saw it.
This, however, is not important, for
he certainly felt it on his rod, and he
knows precisely how his rod behaves
in the emergency of every conceivable
strain.
35
A Defense of Fishermen
The Finny Hypnotist
All true fishermen who hsten to his
plain, unvarnished tale accept with
absolute faith the declared length and
weight of the lish that was almost
caught; but with every presumption,
besides positive statement, against
them, carping outsiders who cannot
fish, and who love to accuse fishermen
of lying, are exposed in an attempt to
originate or perpetuate an envious
and malicious libel.
The case of our fraternity on this
point of absolute and exact truthful-
ness is capable of such irrefragable
demonstration that anything in the
way of confession and avoidance
ought to be considered inadmissible.
And yet, simply for the sake of argu-
36
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A Defense of Fishermen
ment, or by way of curious specula-
tion, it may be interesting to intimate
how a variation of a few inches in the
exact length or a few ounces in the ex-
act weight of a lost fish, as given by
the loser, may be accounted for, with-
out meanly attributing to him inten-
tional falsehood. The theory has been
recently started, that a trained hunting
dog points a bird in the field solely
because the bird's scent creates a hyp-
notic influence on the dog, which im-
pels him by a sort of suggestion to
direct his nose toward the spot from
v/hich such scent emanates. If there
is anything worth considering in this
theory, why may not a struggling fish
at the end of a line exert such a hyp-
notic influence on the intensely excited
and receptive nature at the other ex-
30
A Defense of Fishermen
trcniity of the lishing outfit, as to sug-
gest an arbitrary and independent
statement of the dimensions of the
hypnotizer?
With the accusations already men-
tioned it would certainly seem that
the enmity of those who take pleas-
ure in reviling fishermen and their
ways should be satisfied. They have
not been content, however, in the
demonstration of their evil-minded-
ness without adding to their indict-
ment against the brotherhood the
charge of profanity. Of course, they
have not the hardihood to allege
that our profanity is of that habit-
ual and low sort which characterizes
the coarse and ill-bred, who offend
all decent people by constantly inter-
larding their speech with fearful and
40
A Defense of Fishermen
Irrelevant oaths. They, nevertheless,
find sufficient excuse for their accusa-
tion in the sudden ejaculations, out-
wardly resembhng profanity, which
are occasionally wrung from fisher-
men In trying crises and In moments
of soul-straining unklndness of Fate.
Now, this question of profanity is
largely one of Intention and delibera-
tion. The man who, Intending what
he says, coolly Indulges In Impreca-
tion, is guilty of an offense that ad-
mits of no excuse or extenuation; but
a fisherman can hardly be called pro-
fane who, when overtaken without
warning by disaster, and abruptly
hurled from the exhilarating heights
of delightful anticipation to the depths
of dire disappointment. Impulsively
gives vent to his pent-up emotion by
41
A Defense of Fishermen
the use of a word which, though found
in the list of oaths, is spoken without
intentional imprecation, and because
nothing else seems to suit the occasion.
It is by no means to be admitted that
fishing tends even to this semblance
of profanity. On the contrary, it im-
poses a self-restraint and patient for-
bearance upon its advanced devotees
Vv'hich tend to prevent sudden out-
bursts of feeling.
It must in frankness be admitted,
however, by fishermen of every de-
gree, that when the largest trout of
the day, after a long struggle, winds
the leader about a snag and escapes, or
when a large salmon or bass, appar-
ently fatigued to the point of non-
resistance, suddenly, by an unexpected
and vicious leap, frees himself from
42
.-'~^
A Defense of Fishermen
the hook, the fisherman's code of mor-
als will not condemn beyond forgive-
ness the holder of the straightened
rod if he impulsively, but with all the
gentility at his command, exclaims:
"Damn that fish !" It is probably bet-
ter not to speak at all; but if strong
words are to be used, perhaps these
will serve as well as any that can do
justice to the occasion.
Uncle Toby, overcome with ten-
der sympathy, swore with an unctious,
rotund oath, that his sick friend
should not die; and we are told that
"the accusing spirit which flew up to
Heaven's chancery with the oath
blushed as he gave it in; and the re-
cording angel as he wrote it down
dropped a tear upon the word and
blotted it out forever."
45
A Defense of Fishermen
The defense of the fishing frater-
nity which has been here attempted
Is by no means as completely sfated
as It should be. Nor should the world
be allowed to overlook the admirable
affirmative qualities which exist among
genuine members of the brotherhood,
and the useful traits which an indul-
gence In the gentle art cultivates and
fosters. A recital of these, with a de-
scription of the personal peculiarities
found In the ranks of fishermen, and
the Influence of these peculiarities on
success or failure, are necessary to a
thorough vindication of those who
worthily Illustrate the virtues of our
clan.
46
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The Serene Duck Hunter
N the estimation of many people,
all those who for any purpose
or in any manner hunt ducks are
grouped together and Indiscriminately
called duck hunters. This is a very
superficial way of dealing with an Im-
portant subject. In point of fact, the
objects of duck shooting and its meth-
ods of enjoyment are so various, and
the disposition and personal charac-
teristics of those who engage in it
present such strong contrasts, that a
49
The Serene Duck Hunter
recognition of their differences should
suggest the subdivision of this group
into distinct and well-defined sections.
Such a, subdivision would undoubtedly
promote fairness and justice, and lead
to a better understanding of the gen-
eral topic.
There are those whose only claim
to a place among duck hunters is based
upon the fact that they shoot ducks
for the market. No duck is safe from
tlieir pursuit in any place, either by
day or night. Not a particle of
sportsmanlike spirit enters into this
pursuit, and the idea never enters their
minds that a duck has any rights that
a hunter is bound to respect. The
killing they do amounts to bald as-
sassination— to murder for the sake
of money. All fair-minded men must
50
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5^1
The Serene Duck Hunter
agree that duck hunters of this sort
should be segregated from all others
and placed in a section by themselves.
They are the market shooters.
There are others claiming a place
in the duck-hunting group, who,
though not so murderously inclined as
the market shooters, have such pecul-
iar traits and such distinctive habits
of thought and action, as abundantly
justify placing them also in a classi-
fication of their own. These are the
hunters who rarely miss a duck, but
whose deadly aim affords them grati-
fication only in so far as it is a pre-
lude to duck mortality, and who are
happy or discontented as their heap
of dead is large or small. They have
smothered the keen delights of imag-
ination which should be the cheering
53
The Serene Duck Hunter
concomitants of the most reputable
grade of duck hunting, and have
surrendered its pleasures to actual
results and the force of external
circumstances. Their stories of inor-
dinate killing are frequently heard,
and often enliven the pages of sport-
ing magazines. There can be but
little doubt that this contingent give
unintentional support to a popular
belief, originating in the market shoot-
ers' operations, that duck shooting is
a relentlessly bloody affair. These
are the dead shots among duck
hunters.
The Vindication of the Gende
Huntsmen
The danger that all those who es-
say to shoot ducks may, by the con-
54
The Serene Duck Hunter
duct of these two classes, acquire a
general and unmitigated reputation
for persistent slaughter, cannot be
contemplated without sadness. It is
therefore not particularly reassuring
to recall the fact that our countrymen
seem just now to be especially attract-
ed by the recital of incidents that
involve killing, — whether it be the
killing of men or any other living
thing.
It is quite probable that the aggre-
gation of all duck hunters in one gen-
eral group cannot be at once reme-
died; and the expectation can hardly
be entertained that any sub-classifica-
tion now proposed will gain the ac-
ceptance and notoriety necessary for
the immediate exoneration of those
included within this group who are not
55
The Serene Duck Hunter
in the least responsible for the sordid
and sanguinary behavior of either the
market shooter or the dead shot.
These innocent ones comprise an un-
doubted majority of all duck hunters;
and their common tastes and enjoy-
ments, as well as their identical con-
ceptions of duty and obligation, have
drawn them together in delightful
fraternity. By their moderate de-
struction of duck life they so modify
the killing done by those belonging
to the classes already described,
that the aggregate, when distributed
among the entire body of duck hunt-
ers, is relieved from the appearance
of bloodthirsty carnage; and they in
every way exert a wholesome influ-
ence in the direction of securing a
place for duck hunting among recre-
56
The Serene Duck Hunter
atlons which are rational, exhilarat-
ing and only moderately fatal.
The Honorable Order of Serene
Duck Hunters
It must be frankly confessed that
the members of this fraternity cannot
claim the ability to kill ducks as often
as is required by the highest averages.
This, however, does not in the least
disturb their serenity. Their com-
pensations are ample. They are
saved from the sordid and hardening
effects induced by habitual killing, and
find pleasure in the cultivation of the
more delicate and elevating suscepti-
bilities which ducking environments
should invite. Under the influence
of these susceptibilities there is de-
veloped a pleasing and innocent self-
57
The Serene Duck Hunter
deception, which induces the belief on
the part of those with whom it has
lodgment, thatboth abundant shooting
skill and a thorough familiarity with
all that pertains to the theory of duck
hunting are entirely in their possession
and control. They are also led to the
stimulation of reeciprocal credulity
which seasons and makes digestible
tales of ducking adventure. Nor does
bloody activity distract their attention
from their obligations to each other
as members of their especial brother-
hood, or cause them to overlook the
rule which requires them to stand
solidly together in the promotion and
protection, at all hazards, of the
shooting reputation of every one of
their associates. These may well be
called the Serene Duck Hunters.
58
'■m/-fy'//'/^-
if--!\k„.V
'■«iii'iiu''i I -.-^' Tii" '"'Mil'
i-^**jj, ^«
The Serene Duck Hunter
All that has been thus far written
may properly be regarded as merely
an Introduction to a description, some-
what in detail, of the manner in which
these representatives of the best and
most attractive type of duck hunters
enjoy their favorite recreation.
A common and easy illustration of
their indulgence of the sentimental en-
joyments available to them is present-
ed when members of the fraternity in
the comfortable surroundings of camp
undertake the discussion of the merits
of guns and ammunition. The im-
pressiveness with which guns are put
to the shoulder with a view of dls-
cov^ering how they "come up," the
comments on the length and "drop"
of the different stocks, the solemn look
through the barrel from the opened
6i
The Serene Duck Hunter
breech, and the suggestion of slight
"pitting," are intensely interesting
and gratifying to all concerned.
When these things are supplemented
by an exchange of opinions concern-
ing ammunition, a large contribution
is added to the entertainment of the
party. Such words as Schultz, Blue
Ribbon, Dupont, Ballistite and Haz-
ard are rolled like sweet morsels un-
der the tongue. Each of the company
declares his choice of powder and
warmly defends its superiority, each
announces the number of drams that
a ducking cartridge should contain,
and each declares his clear conviction
touching the size of shot, and the
amount, in ounces and fractions of
ounces, that should constitute an ef-
fective load.
62
The Serene Duck Hunter
Undoubtedly the enjoyment sup-
plied by such a discussion is keen and
exhilarating. That it has the advan-
tage of ease and convenience in its
favor, is indicated by the fact that its
effects are none the less real and pene-
trating in the entire absence of any
knowledge of the topics discussed. To
the serene duck hunter the pretense
of knowledge or information is suf-
ficient. The important factors in the
affair are that each should have his
turn, and should be attentively heard
in his exploitation of that which he
thinks he knows.
There is nothing in all this that
can furnish reasonable ground for re-
proach or criticism. If under the sanc-
tion of harmless self-deception and
pretense this duck-hunting contingent,
63
The Serene Duck Hunter
to whom duck killing is not inevitably
available, are content to look for en-
joyment among the things more or
less intimately related to it, it is quite
their own affair. At any rate it is
sufficient to say that they have joined
the serene brotherhood for their pas-
time, and that any outside dictation
or criticism of the mode in which they
shall innocently enjoy their privileges
of membership savors of gross imper-
tinence.
There comes a time, however, when
the calm and easy enjoyments of
in-door comfort must give way to
sterner activities, and when even the
serene duck hunter must face the
discomfort of severe weather and
the responsibility of flying ducks.
This exigency brings with It new du-
64
The Serene Duck Hunter
ties and new objects of endeavor; but
the principles which are characteristic
of the fraternity are of universal ap-
plication. Therefore our serene duck
hunter should go forth resolved to
accomplish the best results within his
reach, but doubly resolved that in this
new phase of his enjoyment he will
betray no ignorance of any detail, and
that he will fully avail himself of the
rule unreservedly recognized in the
brotherhood, which permits him to
claim that every duck at which his
gun is fired is hit — except in rare cases
of conceded missing, when an excuse
should be always ready, absolutely ex-
cluding any suggestion of bad shoot-
ing. And by way of showing his fa-
miliarity with the affair in hand it is
not at all amiss for him to give some
65
The Serene Duck Hunter
directions as he enters his blind as to
the arrangement of the decoys.
How to Take Good and Bad Luck
It is quite likely that his first op-
portunity to shoot will be presented
when a single duck hovers over the
decoys, and as it poises itself offers as
easy a target as if sitting on a fence.
Our hunter's gun is coolly and grace-
fully raised, and simultaneously with
its discharge the duck falls helplessly
into the water. This is a situation
that calls for no word to be spoken.
Merely a self-satisfied and an almost
indifferent expression of countenance
should indicate that only the expected
has happened, and that duck killing
is to be the order of the day.
Perhaps after a reasonable wait, an-
66
The Serene Duck Hunter
other venturesome duck will enter the
zone of danger and pass with steady
flight over the decoys easily within
shooting distance. Again the gun of
our serene hunter gives v^oice, sum-
moning the bird to instant death. To
an impartial observer, however, such
a course would not seem to be in ac-
cordance with the duck's arrange-
ments. This is plainly indicated by
such an acceleration of flight as would
naturally follow the noise of the gun's
discharge and the whistling of the
shot in the rear of the expected victim.
This is the moment when the man
behind the gun should rise to the occa-
sion, and under the rule governing the
case should without the least delay or
hesitation insist that the duck is hit.
This may be done by the use of one
67
The Serene Duck Hunter
of several appropriate exclamations —
all having the sanction of precedent
and long use. One which is quite clear
and emphatic is to the effect that the
fleeing duck is "lead ballasted," an-
other easily understood is that it has
"got a dose," and still another of no
uncertain meaning, that it is "full of
shot." Whatever particular formula
is used, it should at once be followed
by a decided command to the guide
in attendance to watch the disappear-
ing bird and mark where it falls.
The fact should be here mentioned
that the complete enjoyment of this
proceeding depends largely upon the
tact and intelligence of the guide. If
with these he has a due appreciation
of his responsibility as an adjunct to
the sport, and is also in proper accord
68
The Serene Duck Hunter
with his principal, he will give ready
support to the claim that the duck is
mortally wounded, at the same time
shrewdly and with apparent depres-
sion suggesting the improbability of
recovering the slain.
If as the hours wear away this
process becomes so monotonous as to
be fatiguing, a restful variety may be
introduced by guardedly acknowledg-
ing an occasional miss, and bringing
into play the excuses and explanations
appropriate to such altered conditions.
A very useful way of accounting for
a shot missed is by the suggestion that
through a slightly erroneous calcula-
tion of distance the duck was out of
range when the shot was fired. A very
frequent and rather gratifying pre-
text for avoiding chagrin in case of a
69
The Serene Duck Hunter
long shot missed is found in the claim
that, though the sound of shot strik-
ing the bird is distinctly heard, their
penetration is ineffective. Sometimes
failure is attributed to the towering
or turning of the duck at the instant
of the gun's discharge. It is at times
useful to impute failure to the proba-
bility that the particular cartridge
used was stale and weak; and when
all these are inadmissible, the small
size of the shot and the faulty quality
or quantity of powder they contain,
may be made to do service; and,
in extreme cases, their entire con-
struction as well as their constructor
may be roundly cursed as causes for a
miscarriage of fatal results.
The Serene Duck Hunter
How True Duck Hunters Stand
Together
When the ducks have ceased to fly
for the day the serene duck hunter
returns to camp in a tranquil, satis-
fied frame of mind befitting his fra-
ternity membership. He has several
ducks actually in hand, and he has
fully enjoyed the self-deception and
pretense which have led him to the
belief that he has shot well. His few
confessed misses are all satisfactorily
accounted for; and he is too well
broken to the vicissitudes of duck
shooting, and too old a hunter, to be
cast down by the bad fortune which
has thickly scattered, over distant
waters and marshes, his unrecovered
dead.
71
The Serene Duck Hunter
When at the close of such a day a
party of serene duck hunters are gath-
ered together, a common fund of ad-
venture is made up. Each as he con-
tributes his share is entitled to add
such embellishments of the imagina-
tion as will make his recital most in-
teresting to his associates and gratify-
ing to himself; and a law tacitly
adopted but universally recognized
by the company binds them all to an
unquestioning acceptance of the truth
of every narration. The successes of
the day as well as its incidents of hard
luck, and every excuse and explana-
tion in mitigation of small returns of
game, as they are rehearsed, create
lively interest and quiet enjoyment.
The one thing that might be a dis-
cordant note would be a hint or con-
72
The Serene Duck Hunter
fession of downright and inexcusably
bad shooting.
In this delightful assemblage of
serene duck hunters there is no place
for envious feeling toward either the
slaughtering market shooter or the in-
satiable dead shot. They only seek,
in their own mild and gentle way, the
indulgence of the pleasures which the
less bloody phases of duck hunting af-
ford; and no censorious critic has the
right to demand that their enjoyment
should be marred or diminished by
the exactions of veracity or self-
abasement.
Reference has already been made
to the scrupulous care of this frater-
nity for the promotion and preserva-
tion, at all hazards, of the shooting
reputation of all the associates. This
71
The Serene Duck Hunter
is a most important duty. Indeed, it
may be reasonably feared that any
neglect or faltering in its discharge
would undermine the entire fabric of
the serene brotherhood's renown. The
outside world should never gain from
any of its members the least hint that
a weak spot has been developed in the
shooting ability of any of their num-
ber; and In giving an account of hunt-
ing results it is quite within bounds for
them to include in the aggregate, not
only the ducks actually killed and
those reported killed, but those proba-
bly killed and neither recovered nor
reported. The fact that such an ag-
gregate has been reported by an as-
sociate should impart to every member
absolute verity, and each should make
the statement his own, to the displace-
74
The Serene Duck Hunter
ment of all other knowledge. Such
ready support of each other's allega-
tions and such entire self-abnegation
are absolutely necessary if the safety
of the organization is to be insured,
and if its success and usefulness are
to endure.
Thus the great body of serene duck
hunters, who have associated together
for the promotion of high aims and
purposes, pursue the even tenor of
their way. They do not clamor for
noisy recognition or make cheap ex-
hibition of their virtues. They will,
however, steadily and unostentatious-
ly persevere, both by precept and prac-
tice, in their mission to make all duck
hunters better and happier, and to
mitigate the harsh and bloody fea-
tures of duck hunting.
75
.f. //'s^^'
\^
ei
T
^'^'->. ^
yer/r)er^
The Mission of Fishing and
Fishermen
IT was quite a long time ago
that a compelling sense of duty
led me to undertake the exon-
eration of a noble fraternity, of
which I am an humble member, from
certain narrow-minded, if not mali-
cious, accusations. The title given
to what was then written, " A De-
fense of Fishermen," was precisely
descriptive of its purpose. It was
79
The Mission of
not easy, however, to keep entirely
within defensive limits ; for the temp-
tation was very strong and constant
to abandon negation and palliation
for the more pleasing task of com-
mending to the admiration and affec-
tion of mankind in affirmative terms
both fishing and fishermen. A deter-
mination to attempt this at another
time, and thus supplement the matter
then in hand, made resistance to this
temptation successful; but the con-
templated supplementation was then
foreshadowed in the following terms :
"The defense of the fishing frater-
nity which has been here attempted
is by no means so completely stated
as it should be. Nor should the world
be allowed to overlook the admirable
affirmative qualities which exist among
80
Fishing and Fishermen
genuine members of the brotherhood
and the useful traits which the indul-
gence in the gentle art cultivates and
fosters. A recital of these, with a
description of the personal influence
of these peculiarities found In the
ranks of fishermen, and the influence
of these peculiarities on success or fail-
ure, are necessary to a thorough vin-
dication of those who worthily illus-
trate the virtues of our clan."
The execution of the design thus
foreshadowed has until now been
evaded on account of the Importance
and delicacy of the undertaking and a
distrust of my ability to deal ade-
quately with the subject. Though
these misgivings have not been over-
come, my perplexity, as I enter upon
the work so long delayed, is somewhat
8i
The Mission of
relieved by the hope that true fisher-
men will be tolerant, whatever may be
the measure of my success, and that
all others concerned will be teachable
and open-minded.
Lessons the Fisherman Learns from
Nature
The plan I have laid out for the
treatment of my topic leads me, first
of all, to speak of the manner in which
the fishing habit operates upon man's
nature for its betterment; and after-
ward to deal with the qualities of
heart and disposition necessary to
the maintenance of good and regular
standing in the fishing fraternity.
There is no man in the world capa-
ble of profitable thought who does not
know that the real worth and genuine-
82
Fishing and Fishermen
ness of the human heart are measured
by its readiness to submit to the influ-
ences of Nature, and to appreciate
the goodness of the Supreme Power
who has made and beautified Nature's
abiding-place. In this domain, re-
moved from the haunts of men and
far aw^ay from the noise and dust of
their turmoil and strife, the fish-
ing that can fully delight the heart
of the true fisherman is found; and
here in its enjoyment, those who fish
are led, consciously or unconsciously,
to a quiet but distinct recognition of
a power greater than man's, and a
goodness far above human standards.
Amid such surroundings and within
such influences no true fisherman,
whether sensitively attuned to sublime
suggestion, or of a coarser mold and
83
The Mission of
apparently intent only upon a success-
ful catch, can fail to receive im-
pressions which so elevate the soul
and soften the heart as to make him
a better man.
It is known of all men that one of
the rudiments in the education of a
true fisherman is the lesson of pa-
tience. If he has a natural tendency
in this direction it must be culti-
vated. If such a tendency is lacking
he must acquire patience by hard
schooling. This quality is so indis-
pensable in fishing circles that those
who speak of a patient fisherman
waste their words. In point of fact,
and properly speaking, there can be
no such thing as an impatient fisher-
man. It cannot, therefore, be denied
that in so far as fishing is a teacher
84
'^-z^K}
Fishing and Fishermen
of the virtue of patience, it ought to
be given a large item of credit in reck-
oning its relation to the everyday af-
fairs of life; for certainly the potency
of patience as a factor in all worldly
achievements and progress cannot be
overestimated. If faith can move
mountains, patience and faith com-
bined ought to mov^e the universe.
Moreover, if those who fish must
be patient, no one should fail to see
that patience is a most desirable na-
tional trait and that it is vastly im-
portant to our body politic that there
should continue among our people a
large contingent of well-equipped fish-
ermen, constantly prepared and will-
ing to contribute to their country's
fund of blessings a liberal and pure
supply of this saving virtue.
87
The Mission of
To those who are satisfied with a
superficial view of the subject it may
seem impossible that the diligence and
attention necessary to a fisherman's
success can leave him any opportunity,
while fishing, to thoughtfully con-
template any matter not related to his
pursuit. Such a conception of the
situation cannot be indorsed for a
moment by those of us who are con-
versant with the mysterious and un-
accountable mental phenomena which
fishing develops. We know that the
true fisherman finds no better time for
profitable contemplation and mental
exercise than when actually engaged
with his angling outfit. It will proba-
bly never be possible for us to gather
statistics showing the moving sermons,
the enchanting poems, the learned ar-
88
Fishing and Fishermen
guments and eloquent orations that
have been composed or constructed
between the bites, strikes or rises of
fish; but there can be no doubt that
of the many intellectual triumphs won
in every walk of life a larger propor-
tion has been actually hooked and
landed with a rod and reel by those
of the fishing fraternity than have
been secured in any one given condi-
tion of the non-fishing world.
This may appear to be a bold state-
ment. It is intended as an assertion
that fishing and fishermen have had
much to do with the enlightenment
and elevation of humanity. In sup-
port of this proposition volumes might
be written; but only a brief array of
near-at-hand evidence will be here
presented.
89
The Mission of
Those who have been fortunate
enough to hear the fervid eloquence
of Henry Ward Beecher, and even
those who have only read what he has
written, cannot overlook his fishing
propensity — so constantly manifest
that the things he said and wrote were
fairly redolent of fishing surround-
ings. His own specific confession of
fealty was not needed to entitle him
to the credentials of a true fisherman,
nor to disclose one of the never-fail-
ing springs of his best inspiration.
When these things are recalled, and
when we contemplate the lofty mission
so well performed by this noble an-
gler, no member of our brotherhood
can do better in its vindication than
to point to his career as proof of what
the fishing habit has done for hu-
manity.
90
Fishing and Fishermen
What Mashpee Waters Did for
Webster
Daniel Webster, too, was a fisher-
man— always in good and regular
standing. In marshaling the proof
which his great life furnishes of the
beneficence of the fishing propensity,
I approach the task with a feeling of
awe quite natural to one who has slept
in the room occupied by the great Ex-
pounder during his fishing campaigns
on Cape Cod and along the shores
of Mashpee Pond and its adjacent
streams. This distinguished member
of our fraternity was an industrious
and attentive fisherman. He was, be-
sides, a wonderful orator — and large-
ly so because he was a fisherman. He
himself has confessed to the aid he re-
91
The Mission of
ceived from a fishing environment In
the preparation of his best oratorical
efforts; and other irrefutable testi-
mony to the same effect Is at hand.
It Is not deemed necessary to cite In
proof of such aid more than a single
incident. Perhaps none of Mr. Web-
ster's orations was more notable, or
added more to his lasting fame, than
that delivered at the laying of the
cornerstone of the Bunker Hill Monu-
ment. And it will probably be con-
ceded that its most impressive and
beautiful passage was addressed to the
survivors of the War of Independence
then present, beginning with the
words, "Venerable men !" This thrill-
ing oratorical flight was composed and
elaborated by Mr. Webster while
wading waist deep and casting his
92
Fishing and Fishermen
flies in Mashpee waters. He himself
afterward often referred to this cir-
cumstance ; and one who was his com-
panion on this particular occasion has
recorded the fact that, noticing indi-
cations of laxity in fishing action on
Mr. Webster's part, he approached
him, and that, in the exact words of
this witness, "he seemed to be gazing
at the overhanging trees, and present-
ly advancing one foot and extending
his right hand he commenced to speak,
'Venerable Men!'"
Mr. Webster's Remarks to a Fish
Though this should be enough to
support conclusively the contention
that incidents of Mr. Webster's great
achievements prove the close relation-
ship between fishing and the loftiest
93
The Mission of
attainments of mankind, this branch
of our subject ought not to be dis-
missed without reference to a conver-
sation I once had with old John Atta-
quin, then a patriarch among the few
survivors of the Mashpee Indians.
He had often been Mr. Webster's
guide and companion on his fishing
trips and remembered clearly many of
their happenings. It was with a glow
of love and admiration amounting al-
most to worship that he related how
this great fisherman, after landing a
large trout on the bank of the stream,
"talked mighty strong and fine to that
fish and told him what a mistake he
had made, and what a fool he was to
take that fly, and that he would have
been all right if he had let it alone."
Who can doubt that patient search
94
Fishing and Fishermen
would disclose, somewhere in Mr.
Webster's speeches and writings, the
elaboration, with high intent, of that
"mighty strong and fine" talk ad-
dressed to the fish at Mashpee?
The impressive story of this simple,
truthful old Indian was delightfully
continued when, with the enthusiasm
of an untutored mind remembering
pleasant sensations, the narrator told
how the great fisherman and orator
having concluded his "strong, fine
talk," would frequently suit the action
to the word, when he turned to his
guide and proposed a fitting libation in
recognition of his catch. This part of
the story is not here repeated on ac-
count of its superior value as an addi-
tion to the evidence we have already
gathered, but I am thus given an op-
95
The Mission of
portunity to speak of the emotion
which fascinated me as the story pro-
ceeded, and as I recalled how precisely
a certain souvenir called "the Webster
Flask," carefully hoarded among my
valued possessions, was fitted to the
situation described.
Let it be distinctly understood that
the claim is not here made that all
who fish can become as great as Hen-
ry Ward Beecher or Daniel Webster.
It is insisted, however, that fishing is
a constructive force, capable of adding
to and developing the best there is in
any man who fishes in a proper spirit
and among favorable surroundings.
In other words, it is claimed that upon
the evidence adduced it is impossible
to avoid the conclusion that the fish-
ing habit, by promoting close associ-
96
Fishing and Fishermen
atlon with Nature, by teaching pa-
tience, and by generating or stimulat-
ing useful contemplation, tends di-
rectly to the increase of the intellectual
power of its votaries, and, through
them, to the improvement of our na-
tional character.
In pursuance of the plan adopted
for the presentation of our subject,
mention must now be made of the
qualities of heart and disposition ab-
solutely essential to the maintenance
of honorable membership in the fish-
ing fraternity. This mode of pro-
cedure is not only made necessary
by the exigencies of our scheme,
but the brotherhood of fishermen
would not be satisfied if the exploita-
tion of their service to humanity and
their value to the country should ter-
97
The Mission of
minate with a recital of the usefulness
of their honorable pursuit. The rec-
ord would be woefully incomplete if
reference were omitted to the relation
of fishing to the moral characteristics
and qualities of heart, with which it
is as vitally connected as with the in-
tellectual traits already mentioned.
No man can be a completely good
fisherman unless within his piscatorial
sphere he is generous, sympathetic
and honest. If he expects to enjoy
that hearty and unrestrained confi-
dence of his brethren in the fraternity
which alone can make his membership
a comfort and a delight, he must be
generous to the point of willingness
to share his last leaders and flies, or
any other items of his outfit, with any
worthy fellow-fisherman who may be
98
i
Fishing and Fishermen
in need. The manifestation of little-
ness and crowding selfishness often
condoned in other quarters, and the
over-reaching conduct so generally
permitted in business circles, are un-
pardonable crimes in the true fisher-
man's code.
Of course, there is nothing to
prevent those from fishing who whol-
ly disregard all rules of generos-
ity, fairness and decency. Nor can
we of the brotherhood of true fisher-
men always shield ourselves from the
reproach to which we are subjected
by those who steal our livery and dis-
grace it by casting aside all manly lib-
erality in their intercourse with other
fishermen and all considerate self-re-
straint in their intercourse with fish.
We constantly deprecate the exist-
99
The Mission of
ence of those called by our name, in
whose low conception of the subject,
fishing is but a greedy game, where
selfishness and meanness are the win-
ning cards, and where the stakes
are the indiscriminate and ruthless
slaughter of fish; and let it be here
said, once for all, that with these we
have nothing to do except to condemn
them as we pass. Our concern is with
true fishermen — a very different type
of mankind — and with those who
prima facie have some claim to the
title.
How to Know a True Fisherman
No burdensome qualifications or
tedious probation obstruct the en-
trance to this fraternity; but skill and
fishing ability count for nothing in
loo
Fishing and Fishermen
eligibility. The oldest and most ex-
perienced and skillful fisherman will
look with composure upon the vanish-
ing chances of his catch through the
floundering efforts of an awkward be-
ginner, if the awkward flounderer has
shown that he is sound at heart. He
may not fish well, but if he does not
deliberately rush ahead of all com-
panions to pre-empt every promising
place in the stream, nor everlastingly
study to secure for his use the best of
the bait, nor always fail to return bor-
rowed tackle, nor prove to be blind,
deaf and dumb when others are in
tackle need, nor crowd into another's
place, nor draw his flask in secrecy,
nor light a cigar with no suggestion
of another, nor do a score of other
Indefinable mean things that among
lOI
The Mission of
true fishermen constitute him an un-
bearable nuisance, he will not only be
tolerated but aided in every possible
way.
It is curious to observe how inevi-
tably the brotherhood discovers un-
worthiness. Ev^en without an overt
act it is detected — apparently by a
sort of instinct. In any event, and
in spite of the most cunning precau-
tions, the sin of the unfit is sure to
find them out; and no excuse is al-
lowed to avert unforgiving ostracism
as its punishment.
A true fisherman is conservative,
provident, not given to envy, con-
siderate of the rights of others, and
careful of his good name. He fishes
many a day and returns at night to his
home, hungry, tired and disappoint-
I02
Fishing and Fishermen
ed; but he still has faith in his meth-
ods, and is not tempted to try new
and more deadly lures. On the con-
trary, he is willing in all circumstances
to give the fish the chance for life
which a liberal sporting disposition
has determined to be their due; and
he will bide his time under old condi-
tions. He will not indulge his fishing
propensity to the extent of the wanton
destruction and waste of fish; he will
not envy the superior advantages of
another in the indulgence of the pas-
time he loves so well; he will never be
known to poach upon the preserves
of a fortunate neighbor; and no one
will be quicker or more spirited than
he in the defense of his fishing honor
and character.
103
The Mission of
Truth as Defined by the Honorable
Guild
This detailed recital of the neces-
sary qualifications of good fisherman-
ship serves most importantly as the
prelude of an invitation for skeptics
to observe the complete Identity of
these qualifications with the factors
necessary to good citizenship, and
from thence to concede a more ready
recognition of the honorable place
which should be awarded to the fra-
ternity among the agencies of our
country's good.
In conclusion, and to the end that
there should be no appearance of ti-
midity or lack of frankness, some-
thing should be said explanatory of
the degree and kind of truthfulness
Fishing and Fishermen
which an honorable standing in tlie
fishing fraternity exacts. Of course,
the notion must not be for a moment
tolerated that deliberate, downright
lying as to an essential matter is per-
missible. It must be confessed, how-
ever, that unescapable traditions and
certain inexorable conditions of our
brotherhood tend to a modification
of the standards of truthfulness which
have been set up in other quarters.
Beyond doubt, our members should be
as reliable in statement as our tradi-
tions and full enjoyment of fraternity
membership will permit.
An attempt has been made to
remedy the Indefiniteness of this re-
quirement by insisting that no state-
ment should be regarded as suflS-
ciently truthful for the fisherman's
105
The Mission of
code that had not for its foundation
at least a belief of its correctness
on the part of the member mak-
ing it. This was regarded as too
much elasticity in the quality of the
belief required. The matter seems to
have been finally adjusted in a manner
expressed in the motto: "In essentials
— truthfulness; in non-essentials — re-
ciprocal latitude." If it is objected
that there may be great difficulty and
perplexity in determining what are
essentials and what non-essentials un-
der this rule, it should be remem-
bered that no human arrangements,
especially those involving morals and
ethics, can be made to fit all emer-
gencies.
In any event, great comfort is to be
found in the absolute certainty that
1 06
Fishing and Fishermen
the law of truthfulness will be so ad-
ministered by the brotherhood that no
one will ever be permitted to suffer in
mind, body or estate by reason of fish-
ermen's tales.
'j^'
r.y
107
Jretetjcej (5
Some Fishing Pretenses and
Affectations
I WOULD not permit without a
resentful protest an expression
of doubt as to my good and
regular standing in the best and most
respectable circle of fishermen. I am
as jealous as a man can be of the fair
fame of the fraternity; and I am un-
yielding in my Insistence upon the ex-
clusion of the unworthy from its mem-
bership. I also accept without demur
all the traditions of the order, pro-
lix
Some Fishing Pretenses
vided that they have been always in
the keeping of the faithful, and care-
fully protected against all discredit-
ing incidents. In addition to all this,
my faculty of credence has been so cul-
tivated and strengthened that I yield
without question implicit and unques-
tioning belief to every fishing story —
provided always that it is told by a
fisherman of good repute, and on his
own responsibility. This is especially
a matter of loyalty and principle with
me, for I am not only convinced that
the usefulness and perhaps the per-
petuity of the order of Free and Ac-
cepted Fishermen depends upon a
bland and trustful credulity in the in-
tercourse of its members with each
other, but I have constantly in mind
the golden rule of our craft, which
112
and Affectations
commands us to believe as we would
be believed.
I have not made this profession of
faith in a spirit of vainglorious con-
ceit, but by way of indicating the
standpoint from which I shall venture
to comment on some weaknesses which
afflict our brotherhood, and as a re-
minder that the place I have earned
among my associates should in fair-
ness and decency protect me from the
least accusation of censorlousness or
purposeless faultfinding.
I do not propose to make charges
of wickedness and wrong-doing, which
call for such radical corrective treat-
ment as might imperil the peace and
brotherly love of our organization.
It is rather my intention mildly to
criticise some affectations and pre-
113
Some Fishing Pretenses
tenses which I believe have grown
out of overtraining among fishermen,
or have resulted from too much elabo-
ration of method and refinement of
theory.
These affectations and pretenses
are, unfortunately, accompaniments
of a high grade of fishing skill; and
in certain influential quarters they are
not only excused but openly and stout-
ly justified. I cannot, therefore, ex-
pect my characterization of them as
faults and weaknesses to pass unchal-
lenged; but I hope that in discharging
the duty I have undertaken I shall
not incur the unfriendship of any
considerable number of my fishing
brethren.
It has often occurred to me that
the very noticeable and increasing ten-
114
and Affectations
dency toward effeminate attenuation
and aesthetic standards among anglers
of an advanced type, is calculated to
bring about a substitution of scientific
display with rod and reel for the
plain, downright, common-sense en-
joyment of fishing. This would be a
distinct and lamentable loss, resulting
in the elimination to a great extent
of individual initiative, and the dis-
regard of the inherent distinction be-
tween good and bad fishermen, as
measured by natural aptitude and
practical results.
As in an organized commonwealth
neither the highest nor the lowest ele-
ments of its people constitute Its best
strength and reliance, so in the fra-
ternity of fishermen neither the lowest
hangers-on and intruders, nor the
115
Some Fishing Pretenses
highest theorists who would make fish-
ing a scientific exercise instead of a
manly, recreative pursuit, make up
the supporting and defensive power
of the organization. It is the middle
class in the community of fishermen,
those who fish sensibly and decently,
though they may be oblivious to the
advantages of carrying fishing refine-
ments far beyond the exigencies of
catching fish, upon whom we must de-
pend for the promotion and protection
of the practical interests of the broth-
erhood.
It is, therefore, of the utmost im-
portance that the zeal and enthusiasm
of this valuable section of our mem-
bership should not be imperiled by
subjecting them to the humiliating
consciousness that their sterling fish-
ii6
and Affectations
Ing qualities are held In only patron-
izing toleration by those In the fra-
ternity who gratuitously assume fic-
titious and unjustifiable superiority.
I shall attempt to locate the respon-
sibility for the affectations and pre-
tenses I have mentioned, not only In
vindication of our sincere and well-in-
tentioned rank and file, but for an-
other reason, which concerns the peace
of mind and comfort of every member
of the organization in his relationship
with the outside world. The fact that
we are in a manner separated from
the common mass of mankind natu-
rally arouses the unfriendly jealousy
of those beyond the pale of the broth-
erhood ; and fishing — the fundamental
object and purpose of our union — is
In many quarters decried as an absurd
117
Some Fishing Pretenses
exertion or a frivolous waste of time.
In such circumstances we cannot be
charged with a surrender of inde-
pendence if we attempt by a frank
statement to deprive these ill-natured
critics of all excuse for attacking our
entire body on account of faults and
weaknesses for which only a small
minority is responsible.
Bluntly stated, the affectations and
pretenses which I have in mind, and
which in my opinion threaten to bring
injury upon our noble pursuit, grow
out of the undue prominence and ex-
aggerated superiority claimed for fly-
casting for trout. I hasten to say for
myself and on behalf of all well-con-
ditioned fishermen that we are not in-
clined to disparage in the least the
delightful exhilaration of the sudden
ii8
- H;|'.;,;.\i/AT!iavt •
and Affectations
rise and strike, nor the pleasurable
exercise of skill and deft manipulation
afforded by this method of fishing.
We have no desire to disturb by a dis-
cordant dissent the extravagant praise
awarded to the trout when he is called
the wariest of his tribe, "the speckled
beauty," the aristocratic gentleman
among fish, and the most toothsome
of his species. At the same time, we
of the unpretentious sort of fishermen
are not obliged to forget that often
the trout will refuse to rise or strike
and will wait on the bottom for food
like any plebeian fish, that he is fre-
quently unwary and stupid enough to
be lured to his death by casts of the
fly that are no better than the most
awkward flings, that notwithstanding
his fine dress and aristocratic bearing
121
Some Fishing Pretenses
it is not unusual to find him in very
low company, that this gentleman
among Hsh is a willing and shameless
cannibal, and that his toothsomeness,
not extraordinary at best, is probably
more dependent than that of most fish
upon his surroundings.
While our knowledge of these
things does not exact from us an in-
dependent protest against constantly
repeated praise of the qualities of
trout and of fly-casting as a means of
taking them, it perhaps adds to the
spirit and emphasis of our dissent
when we are told that fly-casting for
trout is the only style of fishing worthy
of cultivation, and that no other meth-
od ought to be undertaken by a true
fisherman. This is one of the deplora-
ble fishing aftectations and pretenses
122
and Affectations
which the sensible rank and file of the
fraternity ought openly to expose and
repudiate. Our irritation is greatly
increased when we recall the fact that
every one of these super-refined fly-
casting dictators, when he fails to al-
lure trout by his most scientific casts,
will chase grasshoppers to the point
of profuse perspiration, and turn over
logs and stones with feverish anxiety
in quest of worms and grubs, if haply
he can with these save himself from
empty-handedness. Neither his fine
theories nor his exclusive faith in fly-
casting so develops his self-denying
heroism that he will turn his back
upon fat and lazy trout that will not
rise.
We hear a great deal about long
casts and the wonderful skill they re-
123
Some Fishing Pretenses
quire. To cast a fly well certainly
demands dexterity and careful prac-
tice. It is a matter of nice manipula-
tion, and a slight variation in execu-
tion is often apt to settle the question
of success or failure in results. It is,
besides, the most showy of all fishing
accomplishments, and taken all to-
gether it is worth the best efforts and
ambition of any fisherman. Inas-
much, however, as the tremendously
long casts we hear of are merely ex-
hibition performances and of but lit-
tle if any practical use in the actual
taking of fish, their exploitation may
be classed among the rather harmless
fishing affectations. There is a very
different degree of rankness in the
claim sometimes made that an expert
caster can effectively send his fly on
124
and Affectations
its distant mission by a motion of his
forearm alone, while all above the
elbow is strapped to his side. We take
no risk in saying that such a thing
was never done on a fishing excursion,
and that the proposition in all its as-
pects is the baldest kind of a pretense.
As becomes a consistent member
of the fraternity of fishermen, I
have carefully avoided unfriendly
accusation in dealing with a branch
of fishing enthusiastically preferred
by a considerable contingent of
my associates. If, in lamenting the
faddishness that has grown up about
it, plain language has been used,
I have nevertheless been as tolerant
as the situation permits. No attempt
has been made to gain the applause
of pin-hook-and-sapling fishermen,
125
Some Fishing Pretenses
nor to give the least comfort to those
who are fishermen only in their own
conceit, and whose coarse-handed
awkwardness, even with the most ap-
proved tackle, leads them to be in-
curably envious of all those who fish
well.
It is not pleasant to criticise, even
in a mild way, anything that genuine
fishermen may do — especially when
their faults result from over-zealous
attachment to one of the most promi-
nent and attractive features of our
craft's pursuit. It is, therefore, a re-
lief to pass from the field of criticism,
and in the best of humor, to set
against the claim of exclusive merit
made in behalf of fly-casting for trout
the delights and compensations of
black-bass fishing. I am sure I shall
126
-^^.,ivi*f^^^.
c ,
t I'
and Affectations
be seconded in this by a very large
body of fishermen in the best of stand-
ing. It is manifestly proper also to
select for this competition with trout
casting a kind of fishing which pre-
sents a contrast in being uninfluenced
by any affectations or by a particle
of manufactured and fictitious infla-
tion.
In speaking of black bass I am
not dealing with the large-mouthed
variety that are found in both North-
ern and Southern waters, and which
grow in the latter to a very large
size, but only with the small-mouthed
family inhabiting the streams or
lakes and ponds of the North, and
which are large when they reach
four pounds in weight. I consider
these, when found in natural and
129
Some Fishing Pretenses
favorable surroundings, more uncer-
tain, whimsical and wary in biting,
and more strong, resolute and re-
sourceful when hooked, than any
other fish ordinarily caught in fresh
waters. They will in some localities
and at certain seasons rise to a fly;
but this cannot be relied upon. They
can sometimes also be taken by troll-
ing; but this is very often not success-
ful, and is at best a second-class style
of fishing. On the whole it is best
and most satisfactory to attempt their
capture by still fishing with bait.
To those with experience this will
not suggest angling of a tame and un-
ruffled sort; and if those without expe-
rience have such an estimate of it they
are most decidedly reckoning without
their host. As teachers of patience
130
and Affectations
in fishing, black bass are at the head of
the Hst. They are so whimsical that
the angler never knows whether on a
certain day they will take small live
fish, worms, frogs, crickets, grass-
hoppers, crawfish or some other out-
landish bait; and he soon learns that
in the most favorable conditions of
wind and weather they will frequently
refuse to touch bait of any kind. In
their intercourse with fishermen, espe-
cially those in the early stages of
proficiency, they are the most ag-
gravating and profanity-provoking
animal that swims in fresh water.
Whether they will bite or not at
any particular time we must freely
concede is exclusively their own affair;
but having decided this question
against the fishermen, nothing but in-
131
Some Fishing Pretenses
herent and tantalizing meanness can
account for the manner in which a
black bass will even then rush for the
bait, and after actually mouthing it
will turn about and insultingly whack
it with his tail. An angler who has
seen this performance finds, in his de-
sire to make things even with such
unmannerly wretches, a motive in ad-
dition to all others for a relentless
pursuit of the bass family.
Another and more encouraging
stage in bass fishing is reached when
biting seems to be the order of the
day. It must not be supposed, how-
ever, that thereupon the angler's
troubles and perplexities are over, or
that nothing stands in the way of an
easy and satisfying catch. Experience
in this kind of fishing never fails to
132
and Affectations
teach that it is one thing to induce
these cunning fellows to take the bait,
and quite another to accomplish their
capture. It is absolutely necessary in
this stage of the proceedings that the
deliberation and gingerly touch of
the fish be matched by the delibera-
tion and care on the part of the fisher-
man at the butt of the rod; and the
strike on his part must not be too
much hastened, lest he fail to lodge
his hook in a good holding place.
Even if he succeeds in well hooking
his fish he cannot confidently expect
a certain capture. In point of fact
the tension and anxiety of the work
in hand begins at that very instant.
Ordinarily when a bass is struck
with the hook, if he is in surroundings
favorable to his activity, he at once
133
Some Fishing Pretenses
enters upon a series of acrobatic per-
formances which, during their contin-
uance, keep the fisherman in a state
of acute suspense. While he rushes
away from and toward and around
and under the boat, and while he is
leaping from the water and turning
somersaults with ugly shakes of his
head, in efforts to dislodge the hook,
there is at the other end of the outfit
a fisherman, tortured by the fear of
infirmity lurking somewhere in his
tackle, and wrought to the point of
distress by the thought of a light hook
hold in the fish's jaw, and its liability
to tear out in the struggle. If in the
midst of it all a sudden release of pull
and a straightening of his rod give
the signal that the bass has won the
battle, the vanquished angler has, after
134
and Affectations
a short period of bad behavior and
language, the questionable satisfaction
of attempting to solve a forever un-
solvable problem, by studying how his
defeat might have been avoided If he
had managed differently.
No such perplexing question, how-
ever, is presented to the bass fisher-
man who lands his fish. He compla-
cently regards his triumph as the
natural and expected result of steadi-
ness and skill, and excludes from his
thoughts all shadow of doubt con-
cerning the complete correctness of
his procedure in every detail.
My expressed design to place fish-
ing for black bass with bait in compe-
tition with fly-casting for trout will,
I hope, be considered a justification
for the details I have given of bass
Some Fishing Pretenses
fishing. It commends itself in every
feature to the sporting instincts of all
genuine anglers; and it is because I
do not hope to altogether correct the
"Affectations and Pretenses of Fish-
ing" that I have felt constrained to
rally those who should love angling
for bass — to the end that at least a
good-natured division may be estab-
lished within our fraternity between
an ornamental and pretense-breeding
method and one which cultivates skill,
stimulates the best fishing traits, and
remains untouched by any form of
affectation.
J^^^fr,Jh^''{^'^l
1^-
v*^i8ifi!/ ■■i;/
"-SS,^.^-
^ *v'
Summer Shooting
AS a general rule our guns
should be put away for a
-long rest before the summer
vacation. There is, however, one
game situation which justifies their use,
and it is this situation which sometimes
appropriately allows a small-gauge
gun to be placed beside the rod and
reel in making up a vacation outfit.
In July or August the summer mi-
gration from their breeding places in
139
Summer Shooting
the far North brings shore-birds and
plover — both old and full-grown
young — along our Eastern coast, in
first-rate condition. My experience
in shooting this game has all been
within recent years, and almost en-
tirely in the marshes and along the
shores of Cape Cod. Like other
members of the present generation
and later comers in a limited field, I
have been obliged to hear with tire-
some iteration the old, old story of
gray-haired men who tell of the "arms
and the man" who in days gone by, on
this identical ground, have slain these
birds by thousands. The embellish-
ment of these tales by all the inci-
dents that mark the progress of our
people In game extermination I have
accepted as furnishing an explanation
140
Summer Shooting
of the meager success of many of my
excursions; but at the same time my
condemnation of the methods of the
inconsiderate slaughterers who pre-
ceded me has led to a consoling con-
sciousness of my own superior sport-
ing virtues.
While I am willing to confess to
considerable resentment against those
who in their shooting days were
thoughtless enough to forget that I
was to come after them, it must by no
means be understood that my gunning
for shore-birds has been discouraging.
I have made some fair bags, and any
bag is large enough for me, providing
I have lost no opportunities and have
shot well. Besides, I have never in-
dulged in any shooting so conducive
to the stimulation and strengthening
141
Summer Shooting
of the incomparable virtue of pa-
tience. I have sat in a blind for five
hours, by the watch — and awake near-
ly all the time at that — without see-
ing or hearing a bird worth shooting.
It is, however, neither the killing
of birds nor the cultivation of patience
that has exacted my absolute submis-
sion to the fascination of shore-bird
shooting on Cape Cod. It is hard
to explain this fascination, but my no-
tion is that it grows out of a conceited
attempt to calculate the direction of
the wind and other weather condi-
tions over-night, the elaborate prepa-
rations for a daylight start, the uncer-
tainties of the pursuit under any con-
ditions, the hope, amounting almost
to expectation, that notwithstanding
this the wisdom and calculation ex-
142
,-■/ K
■(.^f*
r/'^/^.
», V
^■^ ^JP* L^ fv ^"^^.^ t\ — _.j. \ . -^--V-
Summer Shooting
pended in determining upon the trip
will be vindicated, the delightful
early morning drive to the grounds,
the anticipation of a flight of birds
every moment while there, and the
final sustaining expectation of their
arrival in any event just before night.
The singular thing in my case is that
if all goes wrong at last, and even
if under the influence of fatigue and
disappointment I resolve during the
drive home in chill and darkness that
the trip will not be repeated for many
a long day, it is quite certain that
within forty-eight hours I shall be
again observing the weather and
guessing what the direction of the
wind will be the next morning, in con-
templation of another start.
But some will say, how are the
145
Summer Shooting
incidents of hope and expectation, or
of preparation and calculation, which
are common to all sporting excursions,
made to account for this especial in-
fatuation with shore-bird shooting?
I shall answer this question as well as
I can by suggesting that the difference
is one of degree. In gunning for
other game one knows, or thinks he
knows, where it is or ought to be.
The wind and weather, while not en-
tirely ignored, usually have a subor-
dinate place in preliminary calcula-
tion, and the pleasures of hope and
expectation are kept within the limits
of ability or luck in finding the game.
On the other hand, the shore-bird
hunter knows not the abiding place
of his game. He knows that at
times during certain summer months
146
Summer Shooting
these birds pass southward in their
long migration, but he cannot know
whether they will keep far out at sea
or will on some unknown day be driv-
en by wind and weather to the shore
for temporary rest and feeding, and
thusgive him his opportunity. Though
the presence on marsh or shore of a
few bird stragglers may put him on
his guard, it must still remain a ques-
tion whether the game in sufficient
quantities to make good shooting is
hundreds or thousands of miles away
or in the neighborhood of the shoot-
ing grounds.
I believe the unusual contingencies
of shore-bird shooting and the wider
scope they give for hope and expecta-
tion, together with the manifold con-
ditions which give abundant oppor-
147
Summer Shooting
tunity for self-conceit in calculating
probabilities, account for its quality
of exceptional fascination.
The sportsman who persists, is apt
occasionally to find a good number of
birds about the grounds; and when
that happens, if he is adequately
equipped with good decoys, and the
right spirit, and especially if he is
able to call the birds, he will enjoy a
variety of fine shooting. The initi-
ated well understand the importance
of the call, and they know that the
best caller will get the most birds.
The notes of shore-birds, though quite
dissimilar, are in most cases easily
imitated after a little practice, and a
simply constructed contriv^ance which
can be purchased at almost any sport-
ing goods store will answer for all the
148
Summer Shooting
game if properly used. The birds
are usually heard before they are
seen, and if their notes are answered
naturally and not too vehemently or
too often, they will soon be seen with-
in shooting range, whether they are
Black-Breasted Plover, Chicken Plov-
er, Yellow Legs, Piping Plover, Cur-
lew, Sanderlings or Grass Birds. Of
course, no decent hunter allows them
to alight before he shoots.
I would not advise the summer va-
cationist who lacks the genuine sport-
ing spirit to pursue the shore-bird.
Those who do so should not disgrace
themselves by killing the handsome
little sand-pipers or peeps too small
to eat. It is better to go home with
nothing killed than to feel the weight
of a mean, unsportsmanlike act.
149
UX^hhit M.mlinq . , -
'^m^^
t
-J
>^^*^ii^lff
Concerning Rabbit Shooting
SOME hunters there are, of the
super-refined and dudish sort,
who deny to the rabbit any
position among legitimate game ani-
mals; and there are others who,
while grudgingly admitting rabbits
to the list, seem to think it neces-
sary to excuse their concession by
calling them hares, I regard all this
as pure affectation and nonsense.
I deem it not beneath my dignity and
153
Concerning Rabbit Shooting
standing as a reputable gunner to
write of the rabbit as an entirely suit-
able member of the game community ;
and in doing so I am not dealing with
hares or any other thing except plain,
little every-day plebeian rabbits —
sometimes appropriately called "cot-
ton-tails." Though they may be "de-
famed by every charlatan" among
hunters of self-constituted high de-
gree, and despised by thousands who
know nothing of their game qualities,
I am not ashamed of their pursuit;
and I count It by no means bad skill
to force them by a successful shot to
a topsy-turvy pause when at their best
speed.
These sly little fellows feed at
night, and during the day they hide so
closely In grass or among rocks and
154
/"
r
r
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t~,f'
d:>/. ., /^ ^^
Concerning Rabbit Shooting
brush that it is seldom they can be
seen when at rest. Of course, no de-
cent man will shoot a rabbit while
sitting, and I have known them to re-
fuse to start for anything less than a
kick, or punch. When they do start,
however, they demonstrate quite clear-
ly that they have kept their feet in
the best possible position for a spring
and run. After such a start the rab-
bit must in fairness be given an abun-
dant chance to gain full headway, and
when he has traversed the necessary
distance for this, and is at his fastest
gait, the hunter that shoots him has
good reason to be satisfied with his
marksmanship. I once actually poked
one up and he escaped unhurt, though
four loads of shot were sent after
him.
157
Concerning Rabbit Shooting
In the main, however, dogs must
be relied upon for the real enjoyment
and success of rabbit hunting. The
fastest dogs are not the best, because
they are apt to chase the rabbit so
swiftly and closely that he quickly be-
takes himself to a hole or other safe
shelter, instead of relying upon his
running ability. The baying of three
or four good dogs steadily following
a little cotton-tail should be as exhila-
rating and as pleasant to ears attuned
to the music as if the chase were for
bigger .game. As the music is heard
more distinctly, the hunter is allowed
to flatter himself that his acute judg-
ment can determine the route of the
approaching game and the precise
point from which an advantageous
shot can be secured. The self-satis-
158
Concerning Rabbit Shooting
fied conceit aroused by a fortunate
guess concerning this important de-
tail, especially if supplemented by a
fatal shot, should permit the lucky
gunner to enjoy as fully the compla-
cent pleasurable persuasion that the
entire achievement is due to his sagac-
ity, keenness and skill as though the
animal circumvented were a larger
beast. In either case the hunter expe-
riences the delight born of a well-fed
sense of superiority and self-pride;
and this, notwithstanding all attempts
to keep it in the background, is the
most gratifying factor in every sport-
ing indulgence.
Some people speak slightingly of
the rabbit's eating qualities. This
must be an abject surrender to fad or
fashion. At any rate it is exceedingly
159
Concerning Rabbit Shooting
unjust to the cotton-tall; and one who
can relish tender chicken and refuse
to eat a nicely cooked rabbit is, I be-
lieve, a victim of unfounded preju-
dices.
Why, then, should not rabbit hunt-
ing, when honorably pursued, be given
a respectable place among gunning ac-
tivities? It certainly has every ele-
ment of rational outdoor recreation.
It ministers to the most exhilarating
and healthful exercise; it furnishes
saving relief from care and over-
work; it is free from wantonness and
inexcusable destruction of animal life,
and, if luck favors, it gives play to
innocent but gratifying self-conceit.
Let us remember, however, that if
rabbit hunting is to be a manly out-
door recreation, entirely free from
i6o
Concerning Rabbit Shooting
meanness, and a sport in which a true
hunter can indulge without shame,
the httle cotton-tail must in all cir-
cumstances be given a fair chance for
his life.
i6i
c^ Word to
TJjffermen.
C '
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lyiF'iMf
y>2^
A Word to Fishermen
THOSE of us who fish in a
fair, well-bred and reason-
able way, for the purpose of
recreation and as a means of increas-
ing the table pleasures of ourselves
or our friends, may well regret the
apparently unalterable decree which
gives to all those who fish, under the
spur of any motive — good, bad or
indifferent — the name of fishermen.
We certainly have nothing in common
with those who lish for a livelihooc!,
165
A Word to Fishermen
unless it be a desire to catch fish. We
have, in point of fact, no closer re-
lationship than this with the murder-
ously inclined, whose only motive in
fishing is to make large catches, and
whose sole pleasure in the pursuit is
the gratification of a greedy propen-
sity. Nevertheless we, and those with
whom we have so little sympathy, are
by a sort of unavoidable law of gravi-
tation classed together in the same
fraternity, and called fishermen. Oc-
casionally weak attempts have been
made to classify the best of this fra-
ternity under the name of Anglers,
or some title of that kind, but such
efforts have always failed. Even
Izaak Walton could not change the
current of human thought by calling
his immortal book "The Compleat
166
^v>
\\^
I \
A Word to Fishermen
Angler." So it seems however much
those who fish may differ in social
standing, in disposition and character,
in motive and ambition, and even in
mode of operation, all must abide, to
the end of the chapter, in the con-
templation of the outside world, with-
in the brotherhood called "Fisher-
men." Happily, however, this group-
ing of incongruous elements under a
common name does not prevent those
of us who properly appreciate the
importance of upholding the respecta-
bility of decent fishing from coming
to an agreement concerning certain
causes of congratulation and certain
rules of conduct.
We who claim to represent the
highest fishing aspirations are some-
times inclined to complain on days
169
A Word to Fishermen
when the fish refuse to bite. There
can be no worse exhibition than this
of an entire misconception of a wise
arrangement for our benefit. We
should always remember that we have
about us on every side thousands of
those who claim membership in the
fishing fraternity, because, In a way,
they love to fish when the fish bite —
and only then. These are contented
only when capture Is constant, and
their only conception of the pleasures
of fishing rests upon uninterrupted
slaughter. If we reflect for a moment
upon the consequences of turning an
army of fishermen like these loose
upon fish that would bite every day
and every hour, we shall see how nice-
ly the vicissitudes of fishing have been
adjusted, and how precisely and use-
170
IP^i;;
A Word to Fishermen
fully the fatal attack of discouraging
bad luck selects its victims. If on
days when we catch few or no fish
we feel symptoms of disappointment,
these should immediately give way to
satisfaction when we remember how
many spurious and discouraged fish-
ermen are spending their time in ham-
mocks or under trees or on golf fields
instead of with fishing outfits, solely
on account of just such unfavorable
days. We have no assurance that if
fish could be easily taken at all times
the fishing waters within our reach
would not be depopulated — a horrible
thing to contemplate. Let it not be
said that such considerations as these
savor of uncharitableness and selfish-
ness on our part. We are only recog-
nizing the doctrine of the survival of
^73
A Word to Fishermen
the fittest as apphed to fishermen, and
claiming that these "fittest" should
have the best chance.
What has been said naturally leads
to the suggestion that consistency re-
quires those of us who are right-
minded fishermen to reasonably limit
ourselves as to the number of fish
we should take on favorable days.
On no account should edible fish be
caught in such quantities as to be
wasted. By restraining ourselves in
this matter we discourage in our own
natures the growth of greed, we pre-
vent wicked waste, we make it easier
for us to bear the fall between decent
good luck and bad luck, or no luck,
and we make ourselves at all points
better men and better fishermen.
We ought not to forget these things
174
A Word to Fishermen
as we enter upon the pleasures of our
summer's fishing. But in any event
let us take with us when we go out
good tackle, good bait, and plenty of
patience. If the wind is in the South
or West so much the better, but let's
go, wherever the wind may be. If
we catch fish we shall add zest to our
recreation. If we catch none, we
shall still have the outing and the
recreation — more healthful and more
enjoyable than can be gained in any
other way.
75
I#f''^; ,«
/iMil.
^ S)uck Mi^tipi
'^^
"■irj/i'i
A Duck-Hunting Trip
IT Is not a pleasant thing for one
who prides himself on his strict
obedience to game laws to be ac-
cused of violating these laws whenever
he hunts or fishes — and especially Is It
exasperating to be thus accused solely
for the delectation or profit of some
hungry and mendacious newspaper
correspondent. It is not true that I
was once arrested In Virginia for vio-
179
A Duck-Hunting Trip
lation of the game laws, or for shoot-
ing without a license; nor was any
complaint ever made against me; nor,
so far as I know, was such a thing ever
contemplated.
Sport Versus Slaughter
Equally false and mischievous,
though not involving a violation of
law, was the charge that a party of
which I was a member killed five hun-
dred ducks. Our shooting force on
that expedition consisted of five gun-
ners of various grades of hunting abil-
ity, including one who had not "fired a
gun in twenty years," and another who
could "do pretty well with a rifle, but
didn't know much about a shotgun."
We were shooting four days, but on
only one of these days was our entire
1 80
A Duck-Hunting Trip
force engaged. There was not one in
the party who would not have been
ashamed of any compHcity in the kill-
ing of five hundred ducks, within the
time spent and In the circumstances
surrounding us; nor is there one of the
party who does not believe that, if
the extermination of wild ducks is to
be prevented, and if our grandchil-
dren are to know anything about
duck shooting, except as a matter of
historical reading, stringent and in-
telligent laws for the preservation of
this game must be supplemented and
aided by an aggressive sentiment firm-
ly held among decent ducking sports-
men, making it disgraceful to kill
ducks for the purpose of boasting of
a big bag, or for the mere sake of
killing. Those who hunt ducks with
183
A Duck-Hunting Trip
no better motives than these, and who
are restrained, in the absence of law,
by nothing except the lack of oppor-
tunity to kill, are duck-slaughterers,
who merit the contempt of the pres-
ent generation and the curses of gen-
erations yet to come.
Our party killed about one hun-
dred and twenty-five ducks. We ate
as many as we cared to eat during
our stay among the hunting marshes,
and we brought enough home to eat
on our own tables and to distribute
among our friends. It seems to me
that gunners who kill as many ducks
as will answer all these purposes ought
to be satisfied.
184
A Duck-Hunting Trip
On the Cooking of Wild Ducks
And just iiere I want to suggest
something which ought to greatly cur-
tail the distribution of wild ducks
among our friends. In households
where no idea prevails of the differ-
ence between properly cooking a wild
duck and one brought up in a barn-
yard, a complimentary gift of wild
fowl is certainly of questionable ad-
visability; for if these are cooked
after the fashion prescribed for the
domestic duck they will be so thor-
oughly discredited in the eating that
the recipient of the gift will come
near suspecting a practical joke, and
the donor will be nearly guilty of
waste.
In Virginia they have a very good
185
A Duck-Hunting Trip
law proiiiblting duck shooting on
Wednesdays and Saturdays, and of
course on Sundays. These are called
rest days. We arrived at the very
comfortable club-house of the Back
Bay Club, in Princess Anne County,
about noon one Saturday, with weather
very fair and quiet — too much so for
good ducking. From the time of our
arrival until very early Monday morn-
ing, besides eating and sleeping, we
had nothing to do but to "get ready."
It must not be supposed that those
words only mean the settlement in
our quarters and the preparation of
guns, ammunition and other outfit.
Many other things are necessary by
way of stimulating interest and filling
the minds of waiting gunners with
lively anticipation and hope. Thus
186
A Duck-Hunting Trip
during the preparatory hours left to
us our eyes were strained hundreds
of times from every favorable point
of observation in search of flying
ducks; hundreds of times the ques-
tion as to the most desirable shoot-
ing points was discussed, and thou-
sands of times the wish was expressed
that Monday, instead of being a
"blue bird day," would present us
with a good, stiff breeze from the
right direction. The field of predic-
tion was open to all of us, and none
avoided it. A telling hit was made
by the most self-satisfied weather-
prophet of the party, who foretold
an east wind at sundown, which
promptly made its appearance on
schedule time.
When we were roused out of bed at
187
A Duck-Hunting Trip
4.30 o'clock that Monday morning we
found our east wind still with us in
pretty good volume, and although we
all knew it was not in the most favor-
able quarter, and that the weather
was too warm for the best shooting,
it was with high hopes that we got
into our boats and started in midnight
darkness for our blinds. Whatev^er
anticipation of good shooting I had
indulged met with a severe reverse
when I learned that my shooting com-
panion and I were expected to kill
ducks with our decoys placed to the
windward of us. I warmly protested
against this, declaring that I had
never done such a thing in my life,
and In the strongest language I ob-
jected to the arrangement; but all to
no purpose.
A Duck-Hunting Trip
As I expected, the ducks that
were inclined to fly within our range,
coming up the wind behind us, saw
our blinds and us before they saw
the decoys, and when we tried to
turn and get a shot, a sudden flare or
tower put them out of reach. As for
fair decoying, they had no notion of
such a thing. We killed a few ducks
through much tribulation; but the ir-
ritation of knowing that many good
opportunities had been lost by our im-
proper location more than overbal-
anced all the satisfaction of our slight
success. That my theory on the sub-
ject of windward decoys is correct was
proved when on Thursday, with a
west wind and decoys to the leeward,
we killed at the same place more than
twice as many ducks as we killed the
189
A Duck-Hunting Trip
first day. This was not because more
came to us, but because they came In
proper fashion.
On Having One's "Eye Wiped"
It was on this day that I once or
twice had my "eye wiped," and I re-
call it even now with anything but sat-
isfaction. It is a provoking thing
to miss a fair shot, but to have your
companion after you have had your
chance knock down the bird by a
long, hard shot makes one feel some-
what distressed. This we call "wip-
ing the eye"; but I have always
thought the sensation caused by this
operation justified calling it "goug-
ing the eye."
We left for home after one more
very cold day spent in the blinds, with
190
A Duck-Hunting Trip
some good shooting. Every one of
the party was enthusiastic in speaking
of the pleasure our outing had af-
forded us, and all were outspoken in
the hope that our experience might
be repeated in the future.
Now, let it be observed that most
prominent among the things that had
occupied us and were thus delightfully
remembered, and among the experi-
ences desired again in the future, were
the rigors and discomforts we had
undergone in our shooting. So far
as the good things and the comforts
of the club-house itself entered into
the enjoyment of our trip, it would
be strange if they did not present
great allurement; for nothing in the
way of snug shelter and good eating
and drinking was lacking. It Is not
191
A Duck-Hunting Trip
so easy, however, to reason out the
duck hunter's eagerness to leave a
warm bed, morning after morning,
long before light, and go shivering
out into the cold and darkness for the
sake of reaching his blind before day-
break— not to find there warmth and
shelter, but to sit for hours chilled to
the bone patiently waiting for the
infrequent shot which reminds him
that he is indulging in sport or health-
ful recreation. Suppose that such a
regimen as this were prescribed in cold
blood as necessary to health. How
many would think health worth the
cost of such hardships?
192
A Duck-Hunting Trip
"The Duck Hunter Is Born — Not
Made"
Suppose the discomforts willingly
endured by duck hunters were re-
quired of employees in an Industrial
establishment. There would be one
place where a condition of strike
would be constant and chronic. If It
be said that the gratification of bring-
ing down ducks pays for all the suf-
fering of their pursuit, the question
obtrudes Itself, how is this compensa-
tion forthcoming In the stress of bad
luck or no luck, and how Is it that
the duck-hunting propensity survives
all conditions and all fortunes?
I am satisfied that there Is but one
way to account for the unyielding en-
thusiasm of those who hunt ducks and
193
A Duck-Hunting Trip
for their steady devotion to their
favorite recreation : The duck hunter
is born — not made.
194
■Vj-L-i/
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2^ '
Quail Shooting
WE hear a great deal in
these days about abun-
dant physical exercise as a
necessary factor in the maintenance of
sound health and vigor. This is so
universally and persistently enjoined
upon us by those whose studies and
efforts are devoted to our bodily wel-
fare that frequently, if we withhold
an iota of belief concerning any de-
tail of the proposition, we subject our-
selves to the accusation of recklessly
discrediting the laws of health,
197
Quail Shooting
While beyond all doubt a whole-
sale denial of the importance of physi-
cal exertion to a desirable condition of
bodily strength would savor of fool-
ish hardihood, we are by no means
obliged to concede that mere activity
of muscles without accompaniment
constitutes the exercise best calculated
to do us good. In point of fact we
are only boldly honest and sincere
when we insist that really beneficial
exercise consists as much in the pur-
suit of some independent object we
desire to reach or gain by physical
exertion, coupled with a pleasant stim-
ulation of mental interest and recre-
ation, as in any given kind or degree
of mere muscular activity. Bodily
movement alone, undertaken from a
sense of duty or upon medical advice,
198
Quail Shooting
is among the dreary and unsatisfying
things of Hfe. It may cultivate or
increase animal strength and endur-
ance, but it is apt at the same time to
weaken and distort the disposition
and temper. The medicine is not only
distasteful, but fails in efficacy unless
it is mingled with the agreeable and
healing ingredients of mental recrea-
tion and desirable objects of endeavor.
I am convinced that nothing meets
all the requirements of rational,
healthful outdoor exercise more com-
pletely than quail shooting. It seems
to be so compounded of wholesome
things that it reaches, with vitalizing
effect, every point of mental or physi-
cal enervation. Under the prohibi-
tions of the law, or the restraints of
sporting decency, or both, it is permit-
199
Quail Shooting
ted only at a season of the year when
nature freely dispenses, to those who
submit to her treatment, the potent
tonic of cool and bracing air and the
invigorating influences of fields and
trees and sky, no longer vexed by sum-
mer heat. It invites early rising; and
as a general rule a successful search
fur these uncertain birds in\'ol\es long
miles of travel on foot. Obviously
this sport furnishes an abundance
of muscular action and physically
strengthening surroundings. These,
fortunately, are supplenicnted by the
eager alertness essential to the ilis-
covery and capture of game well
worth the effort, and by the recreative
and self-satisfying complacency of
more or less skillful shooting.
In addition to all this, the quail
200
(^^
^> -^>^«f
Quail Shooting
shooter has on his excursions a com-
panion, who not only promotes his
success, but whose manner of contrib-
uting to it is a constant source of de-
light. I am not speaking of human
companionship, which frequently mars
pleasure by insistent competition or
awkward interference, but of the com-
panionship of a faithful, devoted
helper, never discouraged or discon-
tented with his allotted service, except
when the man behind the gun shoots
badly, and always dumbly willing to
concede to the shooter the entire credit
of a successful hunt. The work in
the field of a well-trained dog is of
itself an exhibition abundantly worth
the fatigue of a quailing expedition. It
behooves the hunter, however, to re-
member that the dog is in the field for
203
Quail Shooting
business, and that no amount of sen-
timental admiration of his perform-
ances on the part of his master will
compensate him, if, after he has found
and indicated the location of the
game, it escapes through inattention
or bad shooting at the critical instant.
The careless or bungling shooter who
repeatedly misses all manner of fair
shots, must not be surprised If, in utter
disgust, his dog companion sulkily
ceases effort, or even wholly abandons
the field, leaving the chagrined and
disappointed hunter to return home
alone — leg weary, gameless and
ashamed. He is thus forced to learn
that hunting-dog intelligence is not
limited to abject subservience; and he
thus gains a new appreciation of the
fact that the better his dog, the bet-
204
Quail Shooting
ter the shooter must know "what to
do with his gun."
I do not assume to be competent
to give instruction in quail shooting.
I miss too often to undertake such a
rdle. It may not, however, be en-
tirely unprofitable to mention a fault
which I suppose to be somewhat com-
mon among those who have not
reached the point of satisfactory skill,
and which my experience has taught
me will stand in the way of success
as long as it remains uncorrected. I
refer to the instinctive and difficultly
controlled impulse to shoot too quick-
ly when the bird rises. The flight
seems to be much more speedy than
it really is; and the undrilled shooter,
if he has any idea in his mind at all,
is dominated by the fear that if the
205
Quail Shooting
formality of aiming his gun is ob-
served the game will be beyond range
before he shoots. This leads to a
nerv ous, flustered pointing of the gun
in the direction of the bird's flight,
and its discharge at such close range
that the load of shot hardly separates
in the intervening distance. Nine
times out of ten the result is, of course,
a complete miss; and if the bird
should at any time under these condi-
tions be accidentally hit, it would be
difficult to find its scattered fragments.
An old quail shooter once advised
a younger one afflicted with this sort
of quick triggeritis: "When the bird
gets up, if you chew tobacco spit over
your shoulder before you shoot."
It is absolutely certain that he who
aspires to do good quail shooting must
206
Quail Shooting
keep cool; and it is just as certain that
he must trust the carrying qualities
of his gun as well as his own ability
and the intelligence of his dog. If he
observes these rules, experience and
practice will do the rest.
I hope I may be allowed to suggest
that both those who appreciate the
table qualities of the toothsome quail,
and those who know the keen enjoy-
ment and health-giving results of their
pursuit, should recognize it as quite
worth their while, and as a matter of
duty, to co-operate in every movement
having for its object the protection,
preservation and propagation of this
game. Our quail have many natural
enemies; they are often decimated by
the severity of winter, and there are
human beings so degraded and so lost
207
Quail Shooting
to shame as to seek their destruction
in ways most foul. A covey of quail
will sometimes huddle as close to-
gether as possible in a circle, with
their heads turned outward. I have
heard of men who, discovering them
in this situation, have fired upon them,
killing every one at a single shot.
There ought to be a law which would
consign one guilty of this crime to
prison for a comfortable term of
years. A story is told of a man so
stupidly unsportsmanlike that when he
was interfered with as he raised his
gun, apparently to shoot a quail run-
ning on the ground, he exclaimed with
irritation: "I did not intend to shoot
until it had stopped running." This
may be called innocent stupidity; biit
there is no place for such a man
208
Quail Shooting
among sportsmen, and lie is certainly
out of place among quail.
It is cause for congratulation that
so much has heen done for quail pro-
tection and preservation through the
enactment of laws for that purpose.
But neither these nor their perfunc-
tory enforcement will be sufficiently ef-
fective. There must be, in addition, an
active sentiment aroused in support
of more advanced game legislation,
and of willing, voluntary service in aid
of its enforcement; and in the mean-
time all belonging to the sporting
fraternity should teach that genuine
sportsmanship is based upon honor,
generosity, obedience to law and a
scrupulous willingness to perpetuate,
for those who come after them, the
recreation they themselves enjoy.
209
I
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