Adventure Magazine Cover — page 198: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

188 Are there any chances of making anything at hunting and trapping? I would also like a little information as to what a complete outdoor outfit would consist of, and would you also state what caliber rifle would be best to use in this country. Please do not publish either my name, initials or address.” — ——, Answer, by Mr. Harriman:—Nevada is a desert State, remember. It has millions of acres of open land, not .worth what it costs to survey it. When somebody is lucky and finds mineral on it, it be- comes valuable. Anybody has the right to hunt for mineral, and hundreds do it for every one that finds it. Right now the Silverhorn, near Pioche, is exciting attention. Big values in silver have been located there recently. Prospecting is a hard life and a mighty unprofit- able one, on the average. Men are still combing such places who have been at it thirty years or more without making a stake yet. Your chances of striking it rich are about one in a million. Men who know the game starve at it. You can do better as a hod-carrier. Last week I went up Mazuka Cafion, Inyo County, this State. I saw how a prospector lives. Pigs in the average state have more comforts and less discomfort. Idaho has mineral in the mountains, but both States have. been gone over thousands of times by experienced men. Keep out of it. With stringent game laws, short seasons, small bags allowed anda law against selling game in mar- kets, I fail to see how one can make any money hunting. Trappers have quit the game because raw furs are so far below last year’s prices, ac- cording to E. W. Biggs of K. C., Missouri, fur- buyer. I enclose printed list for camping outfit. For prospecting one needs a few additional articles. Write to California State Mining Bureau, Ferry Building, San Francisco, and ask for Bulletin No. 87. It gives a list of books, list of minerals found in this State, which is nearly the same as in others of the West, field tests for various minerals, etc. Any rifle more powerful than a .22 rim fire will do for tnost of the game. If you butt into a bear who is sour-tempered you had better have at least a .30-30. | New Zealand ’Possum M R. MILLS wrote his reply to this query on August 22, so you can figure out just when the open season closes—or do you say ‘‘when the closed season opens’ in New Zealand? Question: —“I am taking the liberty of asking you the following questions with regard to ’possum- trapping in New Zealand. After a season’s trap- ping and shooting my friend and I intend proceeding to South Africa. Here are the questions: Is there a Government royalty? How could we obtain trapping grounds? what part of New Zealand would be the best? When does the meat season commence? Also could you please tell us whether a Camp- Fire Station has been started in New Zealand yet? And Adventure If there is not one [I think some of us could work together and endeavor to form one if possible; for although New Zealand is not altogether big and thickly populated there are, I am sure, a consider- able number of Adventure readers here.”—G. F. BirKETI, Wangaehu, Masterton, N. Z. Answer, by Mr. Mills:—You and your mate will have to wait quite a long while to get at the opos- sum, for the season has just closed. It is essentially a Winter game, as the little animal is valuable for its fur. No permit is required for trapping either over here or in Australia, where the little fellow has become a pest, and both countries are glad to get rid of it, as it is a destructive agent. The opossum is a simple child of nature, and there- fore easily trapped. He, she and it come down the tree at daybreak, and stick their respective heads into a noose hung upon an artificial branch fixed at an angle from the hole in the tree. Shoot- ing would spoil the skin and fur. In the Paekakariki area, between Wellington and Otaki, is the best ground for the opossum in New Zealand. There are many grounds in Australia, especially in New South Wales. The next season will be in June or July, and it starts later in Aus- ee as the trappers wait for the thickening of e fur. Yes, there are a goodly number of Adventure - readers in New Zealand, but they are scattered so widely and thinly that I do not see how we could get enough together to build up a Camp- Fire over here. How many “71” buttons have you come across in your travels? I have seen only one so far, though I have had several callers at the office who are Adventure fans. Good luck to you and them. The Rapier Mart , I ‘HE gentleman’s weapon still has its admirers: Question:—“‘Could you inform me as to where I could obtain or any company handling the French and Spanish rapiers and dueling-swords?””—Wyw. E. HARDING, Canton, O. Answer, by Mr. Barker:—I assume from your letter that what you desire to find are real French or Spanish rapiers, not fencing foils for use. My ad- vice would be to send to Francis Bannerman’s Sons, 591 Broadway, N. Y. City, for their catalog. (General in nature of weapons and appliance As it contains 400 pages, and is almost an illustrated history of all weapons in itself, they ask fifty cents for it, which I presume you must send with order. They are the largest dealers in arms in the world, and you should find what you wish. Tf you wish to find wonderfully rare and expensive original swords, running into the hundreds in price, the finest I have ever seen in this country (and I have no doubt the finest there are) may be found at Mr. Sumner Healy’s, Madison Ave. near 64th St. You may mention my name as having sug- gested him if you desire. I do not know him well, but have purchased there and found him a courteous gentleman and fair dealer. I doubt if he has cata- logs or lists, but doubtless he could tell you whether he has any particular kind of blade, and its cost. DOO C©@