Image provided by: Coquille Public Library; Coquille, OR
About The Coquille Valley sentinel. (Coquille, Coos County, Or.) 1921-2003 | View Entire Issue (April 8, 1932)
TO COOUILLI OUT-OF-DOORS STUFF By Laaa Leneve During the past week good catebea of Chinook have been reported on the Rogue in the vicinity of Granta Pass. Good catches have also boon reported in the North Umpqua. It ia the thrill of thrills to connect with a fighting ehinook for these gamey fish, fresh from salt water, «rill test to the full- eet the ability of any angler. The battle is never over until the gaff is sunk deep into the fish and he re poses in the bottom of the boat. They are game to the last and I have known of many of them to escape by one last mad dash, aa they were drawn within reach of the gaff. It is seldom that a hooked ehinook leaves the water on his own accord, while on the other hand a hooked steelhead usually dears the water time after time, shaking his head viciously, seeking to dislodge the hook. A steelhead also fights nearer the surface than a ehinook, the latter usually going deep down. Did you know that birds accredited with the longest longevity are none other than an eider duck, goose, par rot and raven? Their normal life spah is between 200 and S00 yean. A vulture, golden eagle and swan come next, their normat span of life being on an average of 110 yean. It ia in teresting to note that the vulture, which fives on carrion, is right at the top of the list of the last three men tioned birds. The average life of an ant is from ton to fifteen yean and an earthworm ten. The average life of an owl ia said to bo M yean. A deer is aaid to live a normal life of 30 yean. If such is the ease, it sun explodes the theory that some people hold regarding the telling of a buck’s ago by the number of points he bean on his antlers, each season. It is claimed by not a few that a deer’s age may be Judged in thia manner. Each point on the deer’s horns may be counted as one year of the buck’s age. While this may apply in some casas it cannot in any manner bo taken aa authentic evidence. There are hun dreds of cases when spike horn bucks have blossomed into three pointers their second year; while on the other hand yearling deer have sported a set of forked horns. The first year, though, it runs pretty true to form, for a yearling’s first horns are usually spikes. But after the Ant year it is merely a matter of guess work, as to the age of the buck. Then, too, then is a certain species of deer that never have larger horns than forks. They an big bench-legged, thick-chested animals and rank amongst our largest local deer Ducks which were in evidence by the thousands on the south side of the river have evidently departed for their northern home. Only a few tremain. It is strange how the birds will travel thousands of miles to oertain nesting sones, to rear their young each season. Few are the ducks that nest in local marshes. Occasionally one doos. , It is usually the case, when they nest here, that it ia a duck that has been “winged” and, is unable to migrate. But in spite of this fact, this valley has been designated as “a nesting sone,” by the powers that bo. That ■fact alone, in past years, has deprived local hunters of some mighty good into shooting. Talking of duck shoot ing brings to mind the fact that the mallard, king of ducks, is becoming scarcer here each season. At the be ginning of the rainy season they f>ut In an appearance for a few days and then most of them depart. The rea son is obvious: the mallard is a duck that likes plenty of cover in the shape of willow-covered marshes. There was a time that 1 remember «roll, wbon the mallard outnumbered all other <Jueka in this valley by a hun dred to one. That was when vrillow- eovered marshes existed where open fields are today. These marshes were the homes of thousands upon thou sands of mallards. For years and yean, probably for eons beyond the memory of the oldest redman, these birth flocked by the thousands, each fall, into the marshes of thia valley. Now a few of the old guard drift in each fall and then depart. The., homes, their haven of safety—willow- covered marshes—have been turned into open fields and safety lies no where for them, for each field conceals hunters, hidden in blinds, and death lurks everywhere for them. The time is not far distant when the mallard will be a bird of the past, in local marshes. Advancing civilisation has claimed hie once wild, uncharted homo. The great vanguard of thousands of these birds that at one time sailed on majestic wings from the north, have been reduced by the hunters’ guns and disease until only a pitiful number of them remain. It is with a feeling of sadness that the old timers of this section watch the going of the old green-headed crusader of the air, that wily old general, who haa furnished them such pleasurable sport in days gone by. While talking to Sam Sherwood not long ago he related a duck shooting episode to me. It was before I start ed the old timers’ stories. However, one thing that I can remember is a huntin’ yarn and so for the old timer’s story this week I am going to repeat what Sam told mo, in hia own words aa nearly aa 1 can remember. Sam, at one time in the middle west, was a market hunter and be haa killed thousands of birds and haa had many strange experiences. Weil, here goes his story: "It’s strange what shots a fellow will pull some times. I’ll never forget the time Andrew (the late A. J. Sherwood) and I were hunting in the lower manth. I shot a duck and knocked it down. I waa out in an open space looking around for it in the high grass .when I happened to glance upward and observed two mallards, high above me. They appeared to be far beyond reasonable range. One of them was flying about twenty feet in advance of the other. There hadn’t been much shooting that day, so I de cided I’d speed up the lead duck’s flight a little. I led it about ten feet and cut loose. Imagine my surprise when the duck that was flying 20 feet behind the one I had shot at, lot loose all holds and came tumbling down. I thought that was pretty good and de cided to trp again. So this time, I increased my lead some twenty feet on the remaining bird and cut loose. He folded up and came down with a crash. A fellow probably couldn’t re peat those shots again in a hundred years and I have never forgotten them.” Well, it’s Just like I have stated be fore, if a man follo«rs the hunting or Ashing game long enough be ia bound to have a whole etor^ of unusual ex periences stowed away in memory And right now I want you old timers to begin tapping your memories for some of your hunting experiences. These old timer stories have aroused a lot of interest and I do not wish to see them die out. Remember, I am always willing to listen to any of you. Write ’em into me, if you wish. If you see me on the street, yell, “Hey, Lana! I got a story for you.” And I assure you that I will be all ears. It appears that each season more and more seagulls are in evidence in this valley. Years ago, few of them came up the river and then only when there waa an unusually heavy wind on the sea. No doubt the clearing off of brush on the bottom lands is the cause of their present invasion. The high water causes thousands of small fish to accumulate in the shallow ponds in the fields when the water recedes. These furnish an abundant supply of food for the gulls. Certain days, along the water front of our town, it resembles a regular seaside city, with gulls perched upon piling and the roofs of buildings along the water NOW YOU CAN GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN large, beautiful, automatic, Westinghouse Electric Range will save you hours of work in your kitchen every day. It is so simple a child can get perfect results and it sells for the low est price similiar quality has ever sold in the history of electric ranges. This range has no superior for cooking quality. Large oven ,.. clock timer ... four plates ... extremely fast... the very finest, all enamel finish inside and out... and the PRICE REDUCED to $139.50 cash, installed in your home; or $10 down and $6.33 a month on easy payments. Local hardware; furni ture and electrical dealers have excellent values in electric ranges and also Free Range Wiring. This is your opportunity. , Mountain States —■' ■ ' I Power Company front. For supreme nerve, courage and flghtin" ability, a mink or weasel is hard to beat They will tackle an ani mal many times their own sixes and will even give battle to man when be ing cheated of their prey. Mink have repeatedly raided the enclosures of the National Zoological Park in Wash ington, D. C. I have had them come up to within a few feet of me and at tempt to steal fish I have had lying on wharves. Mink make mighty short work of digger squirrels, the latter be ing not mean scrappers themselves. A weasel will kill a large rooster or a rabbit. One spring while I was out in the woods I came to the edge of a clearing. I was attracted to a flicker (yellow-hammer) putting up a terrible clamor on the limb of an old dead maple and up about twenty-five feet from the ground. Her wings were outspread and she was crying at the top of her voice. Coming along the same U ’.b toward her was a weasel. When he got within a cotiple of feet of the bird, it flew for the trunk of the tree and ducked into a hole. The weasel raced in pursuit. The bird’s cries increased, as she rammed her bead from the hole and sought to frighten off the approaching weaael. I read the little drama at a glance. The old bird had a nest of young in that hole and waa seeking to protect them. What chance did she have against that relentless little killer? Not a chance on earth. But still she stood her ground, crying pitifully. The weasel was within a foot of her, his back arched and about to spring when I took a hand in the affair and t a bullet crashing through the weasel’s heart. The old bird let out one more cry, emerged from her hole, flew ’round the tree once and then lucked back into her nest. I imitated her cry a couple of times and she again poked her head from the hole. Her beady eyes regarded me intently for Several seconds and she set up an- ither terrible squawking. Well, you wouldn’t blame her, she had a family to protect and she really didn’t know whom she might trust Baseball Squad Had First ■ Work-out Last Sunday INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER announces a new 6-cylinder truck with 1% TON Two wheelbase lengths, 136 and 160 inches $795 for the 136-inch wheel base chassis, equipment, f. o. b. factory INTERNATIONAL TRUCK5 H ERE is an outstanding truck ... • powerful and de example of truck design pendable truck. I tie beauti and construction which re ful both inside and out. And flects the century-old repu judged on whatever basis of tation for quality that ia coet figuring you may use, behind all international you will find it decidedly products^' It offers this economical. lasting quality in a truck of We now have the Model smooth ^cylinder power at the remarkably low chassis A-3 ready for your inspec tion. Come in and look it price of $795. The Model A-3 is a truck over and let us demonstrate of great stamina ... a fast what it will do for you. Geo. F. Burr Motor Co Phone 195'J 935 Hall St. Coquille, Oregon — Outwits at! oilier oils Coquille’s baseball team, the well- '<nown Loggers, braved the elements last Sunday to gain the benefits of a twe-hour practice, their first rehear sal of the spring in preparation for 'he coming of the season in the South- rn Oregon Coant League. Among other interested spectators o view the workout was league presL loat, William Tighhnan, bundled up in a heavy top-coat. Mr. Tighlman wade no comment but eagle-eyed re porter! saw him nod his head approv ingly time and again as a hitter lined >ut a solid blow or a fielder turned in i sparkling catch. Of the 1981 team Perry Roper, Marion Fischer, Art Pulford, Eddie Lorens, Carl Gilbert and Penny Stur- livant were out going through their usual paces under Manager Bill For tier’s watchful eyes. Bill Stewart did not report, but a warm day or two Ask your dealer for Zerolene. will liven "Arkansas Willy" up and Prove for yourself why Zero then you’ll see the same old brilliant lene outsells all other oils in the short-stopping that the local fans Pacific West. have been used to. Ray Woodyard, regular infielder, is attending Willam XTANOASO OafOMPANV Of CAUKMMA ette University and will not be avail able until the first part of June. As well, Noble Brundage who pastimed AT STANSA1» STATIONS, INC, with Coquille last year will not be available as he will be playing with RI» WHITS A BLUR »SALISI AN» MOTOR CAR »IALIRI Marshfield. A quartet of promising newcomers were on hand to greet Pilot Fortier, is grooming for the catching post. fielder as each were chasing the same three of whom are infielders and the Harold Scritsmeir, of the Loggers for pop-up back of the infield. “Gup” jther an outfielder. Elton Schroeder a time last year, has also signified his came out with a nose which spurted and Harold Guptle, of Myrtle Point, intentions of trying again to break in red claret, but no other casualties. North Bend’s baseball team will be worked at first and second bases; An to the local reahn, either aa an out sel Hayward, Riverton Junior High fielder or a pitcher. under the direction of high school Roper and Pulford, regular patrol coach Vie Adams this year, so the instructor, played short, while Dave DeVoto, late of Santa Rosa and San men of the outer gardens in 1931, fans there will be assured a capable Franciaco, ranged in the outer gar seem set again for their posts this management and fine sportsmanship. dens. Guptle, especially, showed spring. This leaves the outfield ques Adams waa at one time a star athlete oromiae as a keystone sack player tion only partly settled, though, and while attending Pacific University, <nd likely will make an excellent lead to this brace will be added another participating in baseball, football, off man If he makes the grade. He man for Centerfield duty. track, and basketball. In all sports The Loggers open their a fast, hits hard and sharply, and he won letters and his name was covers a nice lot of ground. DeVoto April 24 with Sutherlin on the home known throughout the Pacific North has played a little county ball in Cali lot. On the 17th, Eastside will come west conference. fornia and though relatively inex here for an exhibition fray, which will Adams can catch, play first base, or perienced, may develop under the tu unofficially start the ball rolling in the roam in the outfield. So far this newly organized Southern Oregon spring, he has under his tutelage telage of Fortier. Hayward’s former experience has Coast League. “Shorty” MaDanieis, ex-Univereity of been in high and normal schools, Oregon player; George Miloeevich and while last season he performed in a Fred Owens, pitcher and catcher from Sport Briefs league around Waldport. Schroeder Marshfield; the two Tyberg boys, who By Mark Seeley is an ex-Myrtle Point high athlete Whoops! A ball has been hit ave» have played for many years in North and has been on that town’s league the fence at the Coquille Bend infields; Wilbur Chapman, late Athletic and independent teams for several field, though not in a game, nor in of Ashland Normal, where he per seasons. Thia Myrtle Point toseer real batting practice. "Penny” Stur formed in the infield, and a number fields ground balls in nice shape and divant, however, pasted the pellet of outfielders. North Bend also has under Fortier he is now learning the over while hitting the ball in fielding an ex-professional player who recent finer points of first-baaing! practice, his fungo swat clearing the ly came in from Indiana. And when Along with Schroeder, Guptle and ri<ht field barrier by a small margin school ends this bay team will bo Hayward, Marion Fischer completed aa Carl Gilbert, Perry Roper and able to draw from those who return an infield at third base, the quartet Dave DeVoto gazed on from their from the colleges and universities. Not much has been heard of from working nicely, considering the earli position near the fence. the other towns. Marshfield should ness of the season and the condition At the time Penny waa standing of the grounds. This, however, is opposite the center of the first base have a strong club led by Noble Brun only a temporary arrangement, which dugout, so you can see that it took a dage and Andy Feightinger, two of in the may be greatly shaken up if it does hefty swat to turn the trick. He the oldest baseball heads not come through. came close several times, delighting league. Eastside vrill have plenty of The pitching department was in seeing the fielders chase far back. material as almost their entire line greeted by Gilbert and Sturdivant and (Yea. a strong wind helped carry the up from the 1981 team ia intact Since Bandon has dropped out from Wonder if wu’ll ever if these two old veterans ever decide ball along.) the circuit, the players from that city to get in first class shape Coquille hear the end of it. Another incident which enlivened will be available to sign as free will be set on the firing line. Receiv ing their slants will be either For-j last Sunday’s practice waa the colli- agents, to the other elubs. -rasicin"oi "western" ZEROLENE tier or Lorena, the latter wh skm between Harold Guptle and a C^linff 100 far S1JW.
