HOW TO CONDUCT A LIVE BIRD TOURNAMENT.
Much that has been said in relation to the Target Tournament will also apply in this case. Nor is it necessary to repeat the general rules observed by the Ameri can Association in Live Bird Shooting. A few words only of special advice will be offered.
i. The grounds should be as level as possible and large enough for a fifty yard boundary. There should be an open sky to shoot against. The boundary should be distinctly marked by stakes or flags, or, better still, by a low wire fence, in that it prevents birds that strike inside from bounding out. Spectators and those not actually employed in running the tournament should be kept at a good distance to the rear or side. The shooter should be entirely isolated, and no loud talking or remarks pertaining to him while at the score should be permitted by the Ref eree, who has power in such matters.
2. Traps and methods of trapping vary considerably. Ground traps, of which there are several different sty-les, give general satisfaction. The method of trapping in favor at a number of the principal shooting parks is wliat is called the Elliott underground system. It is thought to work smoothly and expeditiously. The trappers and birds are located in an underground chamber or cellar. The trapper loads the trap from underneath through a hole in the bottom of the trap. The dead birds are retrieved by a dog or boy from the score.
Another method of trapping, and which is meeting with favor, is that recently introduced by E. D. Fulford. A pit is made three feet deep, five feet wide and about twelve feet long, and is situated between and just back of Nos. 2 and 3 traps. To prevent shot from striking downward into the pit, a board a foot high can be placed back of the pit and banked up with earth in a slopin,g manner. Two boys or men with a crate of birds can lie in the pit and trap and retrieve from them. A bell or gong can be arranged near the edge of the pit with a rope leading back to the score, and trappers can be notified from there, by ringing same, when to load trap and when to retrieve. This system, with regulations carefully observed,
is free from danger and is saving of time and labor.
Where a club can not afford the first-named system, or has not grounds suitable for the second, the old style can be used, the trapping and retrieving being done from the score. A good fast dog retriever is better than a boy or man ; but when a dog is not available, two good, active boys are necessary, one to load trap and one to retrieve.
3. The handling of birds is an important matter. The birds should be kept in a large, roomy place, with plenty of light. The place should be kept clean, and gravel should frequently be scattered on the floor. The birds should have plenty of water and food until about eighteen hours before the shoot takes place, when they should be deprived of food. They should be carried to the shooting grounds in good sized crates, and should be taken from crates to traps by the trapper, with the ends of both wings, the tail and feet held in his hands. No mutilation of birds should be allowed, and all wounded birds should be imme diately killed.
4. In regard to methods of shooting, where there is a large number of entries, the event can be shot in squads, each squad shooting entirely out before the next squad begins. But this is generally, considered unfair, as the weather conditions rnay change before the shoot is over, thus favoring some at the expense of others. The better way is, for each shooter to take his turn, and so on, through all the entries, until an event is finished.
No outside shooting; at escaped birds should be allowed, except by- permission of the Referee or Manager.
5. In awarding prizes, high guns, or miss and out, are generally conceded the best, and are the most popular methods of dividing purses. The method of class dividing is not generally regarded with favor, as it cuts the money- into too small portions.