d the upper or north end of Currituck Sound,
from October 20th to March 1st, inclusive.

Approximately there were killed and shipped in the territory above
named, 130,000 to 135,000 wild ducks and between 1400 and 1500 wild
geese. From Currituck Sound and its tributaries there were shipped
approximately 200,000 wild ducks.

You will see from the above figures that each year the market
shooter exacts a tremendous toll from the wild water fowl in these
waters, and it is only a question of a short time when the wild duck
will be exterminated, unless we can stop the ruthless slaughter. The
last few years I have noted a great decrease in the number of wild
ducks; some of the species are practically extinct. I have secured
the above information from a most reliable source, and the figures
given approximately cannot be questioned.

The effect of the passage of the Bayne law, closing the greatest
American market against the sale of game was an immediate decrease of
fully fifty per cent in the number of ducks and geese slaughtered on
Currituck Sound. The dealers refused to buy the birds, and one-half the
killers were compelled to hang up their guns and go to work. The
duck-slaughterers felt very much enraged by the passage of the law, and
at first were inclined to blame the northern members of Currituck
ducking clubs for the passage of the measure; but as a matter of fact,
not one of the persons blamed took any part whatever in the campaign for
the new law.

THE UNFAIRNESS OF SPRING SHOOTING.--The shooting of game birds in late
winter and spring is to be mentioned only to be condemned. It is grossly
unfair to the birds, outrageous in principle, and most unsportsmanlike,
no matter whether the law permits it or not. Why it is that any state
like Iowa, for example, can go on killing game in spring is more than I
can understand. I have endeavored to find a reason for it, in Iowa, but
the only real reason is:--"The boys want the birds!"

I think we have at last reached the point where it may truthfully be
said that now no gentleman shoots birds in spring. If the plea is made
that "if we don't shoot ducks in the spring we can't shoot them at all!"
then the answer is--if you can't shoot game like high-minded,
red-blooded sportsman, _don't shoot it at all_! A gentleman can not
afford to barter his standing and his own self-respect for a few ducks
shot in the spring when the birds are going north to lay the