Originally published a century ago, this engagingly written and charmingly illustrated guide imparts timeless wisdom that includes respect for weapons and nature, commonsense safety tips, and helpful hints for enjoying the outdoors. In addition to discussions of trap and field shooting, the authors include a brief survey of the history of firearms and guidance on preparing for a hunting trip. Parents wishing to share the sport of hunting with their growing children will find this classic an ideal place to begin.
Originally published a century ago, this engagingly written and charmingly illustrated guide imparts timeless wisdom that includes respect for weapons and nature, commonsense safety tips, and helpful hints for enjoying the outdoors. In addition to discussions of trap and field shooting, the authors include a brief survey of the history of firearms and guidance on preparing for a hunting trip. Parents wishing to share the sport of hunting with their growing children will find this classic an ideal place to begin.
Hunting and Shooting: A Vintage Classic
128
Hunting and Shooting: A Vintage Classic
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Overview
Originally published a century ago, this engagingly written and charmingly illustrated guide imparts timeless wisdom that includes respect for weapons and nature, commonsense safety tips, and helpful hints for enjoying the outdoors. In addition to discussions of trap and field shooting, the authors include a brief survey of the history of firearms and guidance on preparing for a hunting trip. Parents wishing to share the sport of hunting with their growing children will find this classic an ideal place to begin.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780486822648 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Dover Publications |
| Publication date: | 05/25/2017 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 128 |
| File size: | 12 MB |
| Note: | This product may take a few minutes to download. |
| Age Range: | 7 - 9 Years |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
Hunting and Shooting
A Vintage Classic
By Daniel Beard
Dover Publications, Inc.
Copyright © 2017 Dover Publications, Inc.All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-486-82264-8
CHAPTER 1
Beach Birds
When the beaches begin to warm under the Spring sun, and the fresh green of the new grass changes the salt marshes, the beach birds sweep northward along our coasts. There are over 60 species of shore birds found in North America, and among them are some of our most highly prized game birds. The flights that some of these delicate looking birds make are remarkable. Some of them make the round trip from South America to the Arctic in the course of a year. The snipe arrives in our Northern States between the middle of April and the early part of May, on their way to the North, where they breed; and return in the latter part of August, or the beginning of September, making only a short stay. All the birds of this genus seem to go North to breed, and to return Southward as soon as the young are able to fly. Single birds are to be met with in summer or at almost any season, but they are male birds that for some reason have not mated, and have remained in the warm Southland.
The flight of the snipe genus is easy and rapid, and their movements on land are dignified and graceful. If necessary they are good swimmers, and some species are proficient at diving. Their chief resorts are the salt marshes along the seacoasts, and at low tide they are fond of wading on the mud-flats in pursuit of their food. They live on larvae and insects. They are, as a family, of a very sociable disposition; and this fact, added to their habit of flying in compact flocks, is the chief reason for their rapid decrease in numbers. A flock of snipe after being shot at, sometimes return and give the gunner another chance, and particularly so if some of them have been wounded by the hunter, and utter their plaintive whistle.
The smaller varieties often congregate in immense flocks, and as many as twenty or more birds have been killed with a single barrel, by pot hunters. One of the chief pleasures of beach-bird shooting is the endless varieties of snipe that come to the hunter's stool. Each of the species has a distinctive whistle or call, and the experienced snipe hunter not only knows the call of each variety, but can imitate it with remarkable skill.
When hunted continually, however, the beach birds become very wary, and it takes a master to whistle in an old "Beetlehead" or "tattler." The snipe is easily killed, and heavy shot is not needed. No. 9 shot, and even 10s are usually used.
At low tide the birds are hard to approach, as they congregate on the great expanses of soft mud along our coasts. As the tide rises they fly inland to the large salt marshes. The hunter usually stations himself in a good blind near a shallow pond, and as the birds are driven inland by the encroaching water, they offer many good shots to the hidden gunner.
As beach-bird shooting is at its best in the late summer, the climatic conditions are far pleasanter than in duck shooting; besides the mosquitoes and hot sun there is nothing to worry the hunter. The salt marshes are thirst-inducing, and the experienced bayman always stocks his blind with a jug of cool water.
There is something restful about shore-bird shooting. Nothing is more soothing than the sound of the summer wind rustling through the marsh grass, and of the surf pounding on some hard sea beach in the distance. Far at sea cat-boats are circling about a bluefish school, and the hunter becomes lost in watching the white sails until a yellow-leg's whistle from the blue sky reminds him of his errand. The most difficult thing to learn in bay-bird shooting is the whistling or calling. Experience is the only teacher, and besides, a man must be especially gifted to acquire the art. Men who are born and bred near the snipe marshes become adepts at calling, and there is no feat in bird shooting more difficult than whistling a wary, black-bellied plover down from the blue sky.
* * *
DECOYS
All the beach bird clan decoy readily. Clam shells, or lumps of mud on sticks will answer sometimes for a stool in out-of-the-way localities. The best decoys, however, are none too good, and these can be bought in any reliable sporting store. Decoys of tin can be used, that are folding, and pack snugly in a small box. They are very handy, and serve their purpose well. In snipe shooting the stool should be placed up wind from, and not too close to the blind.
It is a good plan for the hunter to supply himself with a number of thin sticks before the hunt, as the dead birds can be used as decoys by inserting one end of the stick under the head, and pushing the other end into the mud. This is not really necessary, however, unless the stool is small. About 20 decoys make a good stool; the number depending largely on the trouble the hunter wishes to take.
It is a thrilling sight to see a large flock of yellowlegs, or black-bellied plovers, decoying; and the exchanging of whistles between the flying birds and the hunter adds greatly to the sport. Flocks of small sandpipers will often alight among the decoys, and will prove a great help in decoying larger birds, if unmolested by the sportsman.
The smaller species seem to realize the intelligence and watchfulness of the big snipe, and rely on them for warning in case of danger. The yellow-leg has been given the name of "tattler" on account of its habit of warning other birds on the approach of a hunter.
* * *
BOATS
The flat bottom skiff is the best boat to use in snipe shooting.
The hunter often finds it necessary to follow winding sloughs for long distances. Sometimes they are very shallow, or "peeter out" altogether; and then he must drag his boat across the mud until another channel is found.
Mud is the most unpleasant feature of beach bird hunting. It gets on the clothes, and gun; and if the hunter is unlucky enough to slip and fall, it is doubtful if his best friend would recognize him. A good pole is often useful, as rowing is tedious in very shallow water. The boat should be light enough for one man to drag, if necessary, and a long painter will be helpful in tying the boat at low tide.
* * *
BOOTS
Good hip boots are a comfort in snipe shooting. So much wading and mud-walking must be done, that ordinary shoes would be useless. The boots should fit tightly, or the clinging mud will pull them from your feet. It is an exasperating thing to get stuck in the mud. The harder you pull on one foot to get it free, the more firmly planted your other foot gets; at last, covered with 'mud and perspiration, you gain the bank, and make a solemn vow that the snipe marshes will never see you again. As a flock of snipe usually choose this inopportune time for decoying, you must be an enthusiast indeed to remain calm. But it is the clothes we wear that make us clumsy. A man can go through the stickiest mud without much trouble if his legs are bare. When the hunter is caught in quicksand, or a mud hole, he should pull his feet out of his boots; then he can move more easily.
* * *
TIDES
A good knowledge of the tides is of great importance to the snipe hunter. It not only enables him to navigate the net-work of sloughs with more or less comfort, but it also helps him in hunting. A stranger on some of our large snipe marshes would be practically helpless unless he was accompanied by some one who knew the flats and tides.
The sportsman should be careful in tying his boat, as it is a common thing in water-fowl shooting to have it drift away and leave the hunter marooned on some marshy island.
The writer remembers making a long swim in November, after an escaped boat; if you ever experience this kind of adventure, you will tie your boat securely ever after.
In all large bays and winding water-courses, where the tides are strong, there are always eddies, or reaches, where the tide is either favorable or sluggish. Then again, a knowledge of the tides will help the hunter, and save him many a long and weary pull against the swift current.
* * *
JACK SNIPE
At the head of the snipe family, or scolopacidae, we have the American woodcock, and the Wilson's snipe. As the woodcock is an upland bird in all but family, we will pass him by here, and speak of the Wilson's snipe.
In his class there is no gamer bird than the Wilson, or, as hunters call him, the "jack" snipe.
As he is rarely found in thick brush we will not compare him with the woodcock; and no other bird in the snipe family can rival him.
The most successful way of hunting "jacks" is with a good, steady dog. The jack "lies" well, and has a strong, erratic flight, that makes him a difficult mark to inexperienced gunners. After flying 20 or 30 yards the jack settles down and flies more evenly; and the veteran snipe hunter waits if possible for this change, before discharging his gun. When flushed, it utters at intervals a loud "scaip! scaip!" Its flight is short unless badly frightened, and it can be marked down and followed by the hunter. The habits and haunts of the jack snipe are so easily affected by climatic and other conditions, that an intimate knowledge of its peculiarities is necessary to find and approach it.
On windy days the jack is very wild; its senses are so keen that it is most difficult for the hunter to approach within gun shot. Leave your dog at home in bad weather, and hunt down wind. In this way you can get some good shots; as the jack will rise against the wind, or toward the hunter.
On warm, sunny days, they lie close, and a good setter or spaniel is necessary to find and flush them.
As a table bird, the jack snipe has no superior.
They begin their northward migration in March, and by July are scattered throughout the Middle States, and the far north, for breeding. In their migrations they are found from South America to the Arctic Circle; and many winter in our Southern States.
They are to be found in low, marshy ground. A flooded cow-pasture is a favorite spot, but they haunt both fresh and salt water marshes.
* * *
YELLOW-LEGS, BEETLEHEAD Etc.
As the difference between the snipe and plover family is largely physical, and makes little difference to the sportsman, I will speak of them as one. The principal birds that go to make up a shore-bird hunter's bag, are the yellow-leg, beetlehead or black-bellied plover, willet, dowitcher, robin snipe, and the curlews.
The curlew is rare on the Eastern Coast of America, but it is still quite plentiful in Central, and Western North America. There are several species of curlew; but they can be easily recognized by their large size and distinctive whistle.
Their whistle is easily imitated, and they decoy readily. In fact, curlew often become confused when shot at, and return again to the hunter. They sometimes congregate in immense flocks during their migrations, and "string out" in the manner of wild geese.
Beach birds, after frequenting a marsh, usually fly in compact flocks, while the travelling birds, or "strangers," are apt to string out in the manner of ducks. The black-bellied plover, or beetle-head resemble the golden plover. They are found along our seacoasts and large inland waters.
The upland plover, as the name implies, is found as a rule on inland hills and prairies. The best upland plover shooting in America today is enjoyed in Texas, during the winter months. Both the beetle-headed and golden plover are highly prized as food and game birds. At times the beetle-head is extremely shy and watchful; whistling in a flock of these birds is always a difficult feat.
They are found at times in the company of other beach birds, such as yellow-legs, willet, etc. They differ from the rest of the plover family in having a small hind toe.
The yellow-leg snipe is found in North America wherever there is water. This large and graceful beach bird decoys readily, and is highly prized by epicures.
They are found at times in large flocks, and mingle freely with other aquatic birds.
The writer once saw a solitary yellow-leg vainly trying to keep up with a flock of green-winged teal; but his efforts were unavailing, and he soon gave up the race
The principal draw-back to beach-bird shooting is, that there are comparatively few places where the birds are numerous enough to make it worth while.
On the Pacific coast especially, almost all of the snipe killed are shot by duck hunters. In the Autumn they alight in large flocks on the "flats" bordering the northwestern duck marshes. If the hunter who sees them is not having much success with ducks, he often attempts a stalk on the snipe, or plover, and "rakes" them while they are "bunched up." The Atlantic coast is far better suited for beach-bird shooting than the Pacific; due to the greater number of sandy beaches and shallow bays.
The south side of Long Island is justly famous for its bay-bird shooting and under favorable conditions the sportsman can still get a fair bag.
Beach birds are growing fewer every year, and good laws, strongly enforced, are necessary to keep them from being exterminated. Compared to our upland birds, they are easily killed. Their sociable nature makes them an easy prey to the market hunter.
The only way to save them is to absolutely prohibit their sale and protect them during the Spring migration. Due to the rapid growth of our country, and the speed with which the wilderness is being settled, our game laws are inadequate. Even the breeding-grounds of our water-fowl are in danger unless laws are passed and enforced to protect them. In Northwestern Alaska certain breeding-grounds of water-fowl are regularly "picked" at short intervals. This wholesale destruction of eggs does untold damage. As matters stand now, the less shooting there is, the better chances we will have for a bountiful supply of birds in the future. Every sportsman should limit his bag, and get his enjoyment from the open air and the beauties of nature, rather than from the slaughter of these beautiful and useful birds.
CHAPTER 2Hunting With the Rifle
THE rifle is pre-eminently a long-range weapon. Throwing a single bullet a great distance, it at once becomes useful as a military arm, or to those who hunt big game. America is wonderfully adapted to rifle shooting, and for many hundreds of years the sportsman will find game worthy of his skill. Two splendid game animals — the deer, and the black bear — will always be found near civilization, if well protected; and a host of smaller animals furnish fine sport to the hunter. The killing of game is not the most important feature of hunting. In reviewing the pleasures of by-gone hunts, we find that the exercise, sunlight, and open air, all have a place in the sport. There is nothing that gives a man who is over-worked more solid enjoyment than a day spent with dog and gun.
The skill that is required in hitting a rapidly moving target gives more pleasure than the death of an animal.
Target shooting can be enjoyed in almost any locality, and besides being an interesting pastime, it is a great benefit to veteran as well as embryo marksmen. The only danger in target shooting is that the marksman will become too slow and methodical in his movements for field shooting. The judging of distances is of great importance; and the hunter should never lose an opportunity to improve himself in this respect.
The average big-game animal killed is shot at short range.
If it were not for the skill required in approaching them, and the fact that many of the shots are at rapidly moving targets, the sport would be far less interesting. The successful big-game hunter should be good at snap-shooting. Many people are of the opinion that small-calibre rifles are fitted only for target shooting.
They are very useful in the field, however, and in the hands of a skilled marksman are almost as deadly as the larger calibres. Even along the Alantic coast there are animals that make a hunting trip worth while. All through New England one finds that alert and interesting animal, the wood-chuck. No country could be more pleasant than the rolling hills and shady apple orchards where the woodchuck lives. With a hand-shooting, small-calibre gun, one can spend many a pleasant hour stalking these animals. The target is small, as in woodchuck hunting the head is the spot to aim for. If a woodchuck is shot through the body, he often reaches his burrow and escapes, unless the hunter can find a shovel.
Early in the morning when the sun first strikes the side hills, the woodchuck comes out of his burrow, and suns himself; and this is the time for the hunter to be afield.
In the lowlands we find the cotton-tail, and the successful rabbit hunter must exercise all the patience and care of the big-game hunter. Trailing rabbits in a fresh snow is fine fun, and the eye must be keen and the hand steady that brings him to bag. A rabbit that is not badly frightened will often stop running if the hunter gives a shrill whistle; and this habit has cost many a cotton-tail his life. In the central states, and in certain parts of the west, rabbits are very numerous. The big jack-rabbit is also found, and furnishes splendid sport for the small-calibre enthusiast.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Hunting and Shooting by Daniel Beard. Copyright © 2017 Dover Publications, Inc.. Excerpted by permission of Dover Publications, Inc..
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Table of Contents
Boy Scouts co-founder and avid outdoorsman "Uncle Dan" Beard offers young readers a clear, enthusiastic introduction to the joys of hunting in this timeless guide. Together with Bellmore H. Browne, an expert mountaineer and big-game hunter, Beard provides practical advice on setting up decoys and blinds as well as useful pointers for everything from shooting waterfowl to upland hunting for quail and grouse.
Originally published a century ago, this engagingly written and charmingly illustrated guide imparts timeless wisdom that includes respect for weapons and nature, commonsense safety tips, and helpful hints for enjoying the outdoors. In addition to discussions of trap and field shooting, the authors include a brief survey of the history of firearms and guidance on preparing for a hunting trip. Parents wishing to share the sport of hunting with their growing children will find this classic an ideal place to begin.
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