^.^"'V^ ^ it ^ ^'^ A %--o<^'^/ %'^W'\^ %-'f.^'%o "^^o^ . /x ■°^- . /% . --m' ./\ "-"^w- • *' 0' » ^ 0°"° ^<^ ••' ^"^ .'. ^c , »« A * A^ -^ • ^"-^t. °^ ^ ^mw "b^i^^ctM COPYRIGHT 191S E. L DU PONT DE NEMOURS POWDER CO. WILMINGTON, DELAWARE U. S. A. 'aA406674 JUL i2 i9J5 DIANA OF THE TRAPS ^QMs.^:i&=ii 9> m ^z. DIANA OF THE TRAPS D 6^3 ^ HAT the hunting instinct is inherent with man is an accepted psychological fact: that the sport of shooting, as a natural sequence, was the original great sport of mankind is readily proved. As evidence of this, when primeval man gave first expression to his thought, clothing it in the beautiful imagery of the nature-inspired myths, he created Apollo, god of the unerring bow — ^his darts, the sun-rays. From those earliest B. C. centuries to the present time, the art, literature, and history of every day and race have reflected the greatest pastime of man to be — the shoot. Its devotees have been legion — whether as mythological gods following the chase through the heavens; as warriors applying their skill to history -making purpose; as gentlemen with their hounds fol- lowing the lure of nature on a summer's day; as pioneers providing food and protection to their families; or, as workers seeking forgetful- ness and recreation in the exciting chase. Ancient Biblical history tells of a boy with his sling-shot using the skill, acquired in his favorite pastime, for the saving of his people; and, to-day, the same boyish instinct — to hit a mark with a bona fide or improvised sling-shot has made necessary citizen-protecting laws. The memoirs of every boyhood, as told by the man, has some history of his first shooting device, whether it was a nickel-by-nickel saved gun or pistol; or, lacking the nickels, some improvised substitute for satisfying his inherent love to shoot. But has this natural sport of man appealed as strongly to women ? That it originally and naturally did is suggested in the same primeval history of man — the myths — by the story of the fair Diana, goddess of the chase, her bow, the slender crescent of the moon. We are told that she accompanied her twin brother Apollo, the prince of archery, in all his adventures of the chase, speeding her moonbeam darts as unerringly as did her brother and comrade the sun rays. That the sportsmanship of the "fair crowned queen of the echoing chase" was tempered with womanly attributes, is shown by the fact that the beautiful Cynthia was not only huntress but guardian of wild beasts. PAGE ONE DIANA OF THE TRAPS 3^3S^^S?Pg r^:t (5 c r A DIANA OF THE TRAPS MRS. AD. TOPPERWEIN THE BEST KNOWN AND MOST POPULAR WOMAN TRAPSHOOTER IN THE WORLD PAGE TWO DIANA OF THE TRAPS o yi But, studying present day experience, it appears that the love of shooting has not been so strong with women, except, perhaps, in the more open lands. Where hounds have led to the hunt ladies mounted have ridden side by side with gentlemen in the chase; but this number has been, of course, limited. As a rule, when man has shouldered his gun, and gone forth at dawn on his way to a rabbit hunt, or, in quest of game birds, he has not had a Diana comradeship. Whether the reason for this has been that the twentieth century woman is lacking in sportsmanship; or, that she is perhaps gun-shy; or, that she has been debarred by custom and lack of opportunity from participation in the sport, is an open question. That the call of the shoot has been more insistent in man than in woman is evident, because prevented by circumstances from its enjoy- ment, man has made for himself the opportunity. During the last decade or two, the traps have taken, to a large extent, the place of the law- hampered, business-forbidding, and regret-bringing chase. It has been necessary for man to adapt his sport to the time demands of competitive business. He has been forced to crowd his recreation into after-business hours. Long hunting trips, except on rare occasions, have become im- practicable — yet the innate love of the shoot has remained. The logical answer has been — the traps. At the traps, the flying target across the great expanse of azure sky, the nerve-building air of the great open, the skilful judgment back of the eye and the finger on the trigger, the heart-quickening result — "lost" or "dead" — furnish all the essential attributes of the hunt. And more, trap shooting has developed from a field-shooting sub- stitute to a great international competitive "game." HARRIET WHITFORD. ^^ 5^? J .^^. PAGE THREE ftarsrswr DIANA OF THE TRAPS ^^^Jlt^M ^^ h Mi m , „„.^„,..,x,v l"^?!;.;*,!:;:^,^:***,^^*^" ' *^J*'i^C 'i'i?« 31 1?%J ■"nKJfiW s&^'rn ^1 ' wr ^m. \ THE 1913 GRAND AMERICAN HANDICAP TOURNAMENT N. C. R. GUN CLUB. DAYTON, OHIO THOUSANDS ANNUALLY VISIT AND ENTHUSE AT TRAPSHOOTING'S MOST SPECTACULAR EVENT ^A r TRAPSHOOTI^ Q FTER one has witnessed a "shoot" at a gun club, if asked to define trapshooting, he or she might well reply: "Trying to shoot clay targets with a shotgun." This is reducing the definition to the very "lowest terms." While this answer may seem common- place, the attempts to establish themselves as expert shooters offer many opportunities for reflection. The conclusion is inevitable, after a few trials, that however one may describe trapshooting, there is a fascination connected with it which makes it "the Sport Alluring." Like all recreations, trapshooting has its history. From the primitive performance of shooting at live birds released from the trap-box to the modem scientific sport of shooting at inanimate clay targets, is an interval of several years. In this period, trapshooting has been divested of its objectionable features. These have been replaced by others which not only increase and maintain interest of present devotees but attract new ones of influence and ability. Amongst the newly interested are the women. Although a few well- known women were pioneers in the sport several years ago, the Dianian era of trapshooting can be said to have started in 1913, when a few enthusi- astic women of Wilmington, Delaware, interested in the local gun club and its spectacular shooting programs, felt a desire to learn to shoot. As the start and growth of the Nemours Trapshooting Club of Wilmington will be duplicated in many other cities, its story is of practical value as well as interest. PAGE FOUR DIANA OF THE TRAPS rapsJtic This club, the first exclusively for women, was organized by Miss Harriet D. Hammond, of Wilmington, Delaware, in July, 1913. This club was fortunate in having for its chief promotor a woman familiar with the shotgun, and who had had actual experience as a shooter afield as well as at the traps. Her enthusiasm for shooting was never allowed to flag, as several brothers acted as good stimulators and excellent instructors. This is not an exceptional case, and may be found in many homes — particularly those located in the suburbs, or where the open country affords opportunity to use the shotgun. m &^ A SQUAD OF NEMOURS SHOOTERS r?^ r*^ Calling to her aid those who had been frequent visitors to the local gun club, they entered into the organization plans suggested by the modem Diana. Members were sought amongst business associates in the office, acquaintances in other lines of emplo5anent, amongst the sales people whose hours of employment permitted attendance at "shoots," and last but not least, the women in the home who would be especially benefited by trapshooting. Permission was readily obtained from the Du Pont Trapshooting Club to use its facilities one afternoon each week when the men were not shooting. The Du Pont Club has a membership of 600, hence it was not feasible to give up one of its traps to women on regular shooting days. The Nemours Trapshooting Club has been a success from the start and now has more than 60 members. The method of teaching women to shoot proved so practical and "^ m Tr^r^f^g ^^t\ PAGE FIVE ««««^^*J DIANA OF THE TRAPS efficient, we will describe the various stages of development of a shooter from the initial "never-touched-a-gun" stage to that of the "crack shot," whose average compares favorably with that of her male friends. Fundamentals of Trapshooting In order to understand the method of training employed you must know how a shoot is operated. The shooting grounds are usually in a large open field with a good sky background, so the targets may be seen easily when in the air. The trap house is a low structure, half underground, in which is located the trap, trap boy and supply of targets. ii^J- UJ.i ilPf.J^-^-^-°-~^-^,y^r^^^ %v \^^^ Sixteen yards back of the trap house are the regular firing stations, five in number, located 10 feet apart in a circular sweep, with the trap house as the center. Other firing sta- tions are located in corre- sponding arcs at distances of 1 7 to 23 yards from the trap house. These are used only in handicap tournaments, when experts are "set back." T/iAP PUllSff LAYOUT FOR TRAPSHOOTING Back of the middle or No. 3 firing station is the puller, who springs the trap at the shooter's command. A target then flies out of the trap house for a dis- tance of 50 yards, in a direction controlled by the trap boy and usually un- known beforehand by the shooter, who endeavors quickly to locate the tar- get and shoot it, before it strikes the ground. E E C k PAGE SIX DIANA OF THE TRAPS Learning to Hold the Gun Each beginner at the Nemours Club is first taught how to hold the gun in shooting position. Fig. 1 shows a right side view of a shooter correctly holding a gun, Fig. 3 a left side view and Fig. 2 a front view. The butt of the gun should be held against the shoulder, inside the shoulder bone. It is wrong to hold it against the arm, which becomes bruised and lamed by the recoil. The left hand of a right-handed shooter is used to hold the gun. The arm should not be ex- tended straight, but should be crooked slightly at the elbow to per- A GOOD SHOOTING POSITION— RIGHT SIDE mit free swinging of the gun either to right or left. The right hand at the trigger guard also helps support the gun. The index finger is the trigger finger. It should never be on the trigger until the shooter is all set in shooting position, ready to call "Pull." The body should lean lightly forward, nearly facing the trap. The weight should be on the left foot pointed at the trap. The right foot should be back- ward and sideward about 12 inches. If the gun is held firmly against the shoulder, with the body in this position, the recoil will be absorbed by the body and arms, thus prevent- ing bruises and lameness. AfGOOD SHOOTING POSITION— LEFT SIDE ^ PAGE SEVEN DIANA OF THE TRAPS ILLUSTRATING CORRECT POSITION FOR A RIGHT-HANDED SHOOTER. THE CORRECT POSITION FOR A LEFT-HANDED SHOOTER IS THE SAME, EXCEPT THE BUTT OF THE GUN IS HELD AGAINST THE LEFT SHOULDER AND THE POSITION OF THE ARMS AND FEET ARE REVERSED AS TO RIGHT AND LEFT. ..„^.;.^. -. .5.^ M-^ s-i^g Gun First "break" or open the gun to be sure it is empty. No matter whether you already know it is empty, you must prove it to your instructor and to onlookers. This rule is vital, and must be followed to prevent the thousandth chance of error and accident. Now place the gun in correct shooting position. Lay the right cheek against the stock with the head leaning forward. Close the left eye. Look first at the rear end of the barrel (if a single barrel gun) or at point between the rear ends of the two barrels (if a double barrel gun). Then raise or lower the front end of the gun until c t E' F t INSTRUCTIONS IN AIMING c muui PAGE EIGHT DIANA OF THE TRAPS the front sight lines up with the point at the rear previously sighted. With the gun held so the eye and front and rear sights are all in line, it is held properly to hit any object within range that lines up with the front sight and the eye. If a string were stretched between the object and the eye, it would touch both front and rear sights of the gun. CORRECT Atn^ 5IN&LE. BaRI^£L GUN OBJECT -^ D- FRONT SiCrHT nEfKH SI&HT EYE CORRECT AIM^ DOUBLE BARREL O-Uf^ T OBJ EC T FRONT SI&HT T Ft£AF( S/G-HT EYE I 0£. JNCORRECT AIM^ DOUBLE BARREL GUN E Sc^BCT FRONT 3IG-/-IT REAR Sl&HT NOT /N L/NE INCORRECT AIM, DOUBLE BARREL GUN EYE OBJECT T FRONT SI&HT ^ r^ REAR 5IG-HT NO T /AJ L INE INCORRECT AIM^ 3ING-LE BARREL OUN EYE OBJECT t f FRONT 3/OHT RE AFC St&HT f NOT IN LINE ^'^^ To be sure that the beginner is sighting correctly, the instructor will be certain that the gun is empty, then stand about 10 feet in front of the beginner and tell her to aim the gun at his right eye. Learninp^ to Shoot StiO Objects For this purpose a light colored paper about a yard square should be tacked to the side of a dry goods box or on a board backing elevated on posts, as in the illustration. In the center of this sheet paint a black circle or paste on a dark piece of paper about the size of a regulation clay target, or better still, hang a clay target in the center on a tack. The shooter should stand about 30 yards in front of this sheet and aim an empty gun at the target, until she thinks she can line it up all right with the gun sights. Next load the gun. At this stage the beginner must be cautioned always to have the gun pointing downward and forward towards the target or trap house when loading, and never to load until in place at the firing station and until it is her turn to shoot. ^ DIANA OF THE TRAPS The loaded gun should now be aimed at the target, lining up the sights as soon as possible, so as not to tire the arm. Then fire. Then put down the gun and examine the paper target to see where the shot hit. Such a target quickly proves whether or not the aim is right, and if the wind is blowing, how much allowance must be made for wind deflection of the shot charge. Shooting "Straight- away" Targets After the beginner has learned to load, aim and fire by using the stationary target, the next step is to try shooting at moving clay targets from the middle or No. 3 post on the 1 6- yard line. It is best at first to aim an empty gun at the top of the trap house, call "Pull" and follow the flying target, snap- ping the trigger when she be- lieves she could hit it. This will accustom her to lifting the gun up with the target, without altering the set of her face to the gun. The instructor must explain that once having secured her aim by lining up the sights with the top of the trap house, she must no longer STATIONARY TARGET ^^ BEGINNERS WAITING THEIR TURNS DIANA OF THE TRAPS look at the rear sight, as it cannot be seen sharply at the same time the distant target is seen. She must elevate or swing the gun without moving the face from its "aim-set." Then when she sees the target just above the front sight, the discharge of the gun will score a break provided the target is not too far out. Having followed a few with the empty gun, she should next try five or ten shots with a loaded gun, then rest, so as not to tire the arms, or bruise the shoulder on account of probable improper holding of the gun. This practice also enables the instructor to determine the length and drop of stock best adapted to each shooter, so she may select the gun that fits her. ijhooting at Unknown Angles After the beginner has broken five straightaway targets out of twenty-five shots, she should be permitted to try angle targets in a regular squad of five shooters. When shooting in a twenty-five target event each shooter fires twenty-five shells in all. The first shooter at No. I position shoots one shell, then the second shooter at No. 2 position shoots one, and so on, until all have shot five times. First shooter then moves to No. 2 position, second to No. 3, etc., fifth shooter moving up to No. I position. In this manner each shooter has five shots from each post. When the club has two traps a good plan is for each squad to shoot in two events; fifteen over one trap and ten over the other. This makes the shooting last longer, and adds variety and provides a short rest between events. In shooting angle targets the novice must be taught to allow not only for the elevation of the flying clay, but must also shoot slightly ahead of those flying to right or left, as the target progresses during the time required for the shot to travel from the gun to its path of flight. [^ y M FIRST TRIAL AT UNKNOWN ANGLES Mi M PAGE ELEVEN ^ This shooting ahead is called "leading" the target. It calls for a quick swinging of the body from the waist. Most beginners are too slow, and by the time they have enough lead on the target it is falling so fast that their shot passes over it. The mastery of angle shots is the most difficult part of trapshooting, except shooting in a strong wind. Shooting in a Strong Wind The flying clays are easily affected by the wind. A wind blowing with the target holds it down, making it necessary to aim a little under it. A wind blowing towards the target elevates it. The shooter must then aim so as to cover the target with the muzzle of the gun. A side wind bends the target's path from its normal straight line to a curve, the extent of curvature depending on the strength of the wind. It then becomes necessary for the shooter to aim to the side of the target opposite the source of the wind. Thus, in a wind blowing from right to left, the aim should be slightly to the left of the target. In a gusty wind, the targets suddenly change their elevation or their path in a most disconcerting marmer. Fast shooting is the only means of off -setting this effect. Since the speed of the target is greatest near the trap house, it is not materially influenced by the wind until it has traveled 15 or 20 yards, hence if shot within that portion of its flight a hit is more likely than if shot at later. Most beginners shoot too slowly, hence practice in a strong wind is good for them, as it tends to quicken them. Experts are very quick in getting lined up with the target, and usually break it within 25 yards of the trap house. D C f; c fc SQUAD SHOOTING AT BALTIMORE r uC PAGE TWELVE SKS^ti.^ DIANA OF THE TRAPS m o a Nemours Club Shoot at Baltimore HE first public shoot of the Nemours Club was at Baltimore, Md., July 11, 1913, when two squads were invited as guests of the West Forest Park Country Club, to shoot for a silver trophy cup. The cuts show the trophy, the winner, the girls starting for Balti- more, and one of the squads shooting. After the shoot they were entertained at the home of a member of the club. The affair was most enjoyable, and the opportunity to shoot on other than home grounds greatly increased the girls' confidence. o M M r^ l^^ Mi 1:0) THE TROPHY U n j. B a 1 M m m &l ^A '^A fO; r-r ■Wm..„.,r^^>0^- LUi !^ M MISS CARSON H THE TROPHY WINNER O O j^a O] DIANA OF THE TRAPS Nemours Club at Eastern Handicap For the first time in the history of trapshooting, two full squads of women shot 100 shells in an Interstate Association Tournament, at the Eastern Handicap held July 17th, at Wilmington, Delaware. C C (€))) m TEN MEMBERS OF NEMOURS TRAPSHOOTING CLUB, WHO SHOT IN THE EASTERN HANDICAP, WILMINGTON, DEL., JULY 17, 1913 E The women who participated in this shoot were, from left to right in the cut, Miss Hirst, Mrs, Hart, Miss Lannan, Miss Reilly, Miss Moody, Miss Hammond, Mrs. Joslyn, Miss Carson, Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Prettyman. Conscious of the fact that they were the "observed of all observers," it was to be expected that the scores made under the trying conditions obtaining would not be indicative of the shooter's real ability. Despite the mild attack of "stage fright," which seized the Dianas at the com- mencement of the event, from thirty to sixty targets were broken out of each hundred thrown. It should be said in explanation of the lower scores made that the shooters were required to shoot at regulation targets thrown at unknown angles. A majority of the Nemours shooters had had very little practice at "angle" shooting, and the last event of twenty targets was shot late in the afternoon in a failing light. Both spectators and trapshooters of the amateur and professional ranks encouraged the women shooters by frequently applauding a good shot. At the conclusion of the shoot, the Nemours delegation were the recipients of many compliments for their excellent shooting and "class" at the firing line. c: PAGE FOURTEEN DIANA OF THE TRAPS Nemours Club at Philadelphia WILMINGTON WOMEN WIN SHOOTING CONTEST Mi ^^ Members of Nemours Trapshooting Club Carry Off Five of the Eight Prizes From Philadelphia North American, October 19, 1913. D EN Wilmington women, members of the Nemours Trapshooting Club, yesterday carried off the honors at the first "Ladies' Day" of the Fox Gun Club, at Cedar Park Lane and Ogontz Avenue. More than that, the more experienced of these women demon- strated that they can compete with men, and none took back records of which they need be ashamed. The Wilmington women captured five of the eight prizes offered. The contest for the highest actual score was reduced to a tie between Mrs. Elizabeth Moulton, of the Fox Club, and Miss H. Hammond, president of the Wilmington club. The latter won on the second attempt to break the tie. Prize winners were Miss Margaret Crosland, Mrs. Henry McKay and Mrs. Elizabeth Moulton, of this city. Other Wilmington women who took part in the shoot were Mrs. W. A. Joslyn, Miss J. P. Hearst, Miss M. V. Lannan, Mrs. 0. B. Clarke, Miss B. V. Carson, Miss M. Woodman, Mrs. Franklin W. Wilson, Miss M. Moody and Miss C. Gentieu. Among the women members of the Fox Club with whom they competed were Mrs. Henry McKay, Miss M. C. Mullen, Mrs. A. Frailey, Mrs. William Maracon and Mrs. A. R. Cox. ^^^^ PAGE FIFTEEN ^^5^^5^^S^^5^^5^^^^5! DIANA OF THE TRAPS The scores of the women for the first and second events, twenty-five shots each, follow: ss B. V. Carson 14 ss J. P. Hirst 11 W. A. Joslyn 17 Elizabeth Moulton 19 Henry McKay 6 0. B. Clarke 16 H. D. Hammond 19 F. W. Wilson 12 M. E. Mullen 5 M. V. Moody 12 C. E. Gentieu 8 M. V. Lannon 12 M. R. Woodman 14 ss M. Crosland 12 Mrs. C. A. Prettyman. ^^fe^'--^--^^^'V . "; THE WOMEN'S SHOOTING AROUSED GREAT INTEREST Following the shoot a dinner was given to the visitors at the Hotel Hanover in the evening, a novel feature of which was the following: GREEN FUSE MENU BLUE ROCKS WET WEATHER NUMBER FOUR SHOT CREOLE BAKED SEA TROUT ROAST LOST BIRD— GIBLET SAUCE BALLISTITE AU TENDERLOIN MASHED POTATOES CARTRIDGES A LA WHITE BROKEN TARGETS MUSTARD SEED GREEN NEMOURS CLUB SPECIAL WADS A LA SWEET CREAM CHEESE RAIN E ■E e E fii ui PAGE SIXTEEN DIANA OF THE TRAPS ome Practice With the Du Pont Hand Trap OW we all admire the expert woman shot who confidently approaches the traps and without hesitation or self -consciousness takes her place at the firing line. She is always ready to shoot when it comes her turn, pays strict attention to her own affairs, and you can just make up your mind when she steps up to her position, that she can break a lot of her targets. We often wonder how these shooters can take things so easily and how they become so expert, for we realize that it takes a lot of practice to become expert at anything. We know that most women are rather timid about making their first appearance at a public trap, and we wonder how they have gotten the necessary practice that makes them so easy in manner and so expert in shooting. The problem is easily solved and the answer is such a simple one that we wonder why we did not know of its solution long ago. With a hand trap, which is a light affair weigh- ing only seven pounds, and which anyone can operate, one may obtain all the trapshooting practice she desires. With a hand trap two girls can enjoy the sport of trapshooting and get just as good practice as they could obtain at a regular gun club. Whenever it suits their con- venience they can hunt an open field where it will be perfectly safe for them to shoot, take the small brother along to carry the trap and shells for them, and get just the best I^ind of practice at shooting the elusive clays. The blue rocks and shells can be packed in a basket and the hand trap has a neat little case of its own that anyone might be proud to carry. The targets can be thrown easily to accommodate the new shooter, giving her an opportunity of making a thorough study of the game and m PAGE SEVENTEEN hIANA OF THE TRAPS the right idea of following and leading her "birds." After she becomes more expert her companion can throw more difficult targets, and with practice she will become so accustomed to shooting at targets thrown from all possible angles and positions that she will never feel at a loss when she visits the local trapshooting club and takes her place at the firing line with the male experts of the game. No fear of her being slow and holding the squad back. She has had so much practice at finding her targets quickly that she shoots in better time than many of the men shooters, who have not had the advantage of home practice and who WITH A HAND TRAP TWO GIRLS CAN ENJOY THE SPORT OF TRAP- SHOOTING AND GET JUST AS GOOD PRACTICE AS THEY COULD OBTAIN AT A REGULAR GUN CLUB PAGE EIGHTEEN DIANA OF THE TRAPS YOUNG BROTHER WILL BE GLAD TO ACT AS TRAP BOY have to depend upon the practice they get one afternoon a week at the gun club. If one is fortunate enough to have an automobile at her disposal she will find a hand trap party an ideal way of entertaining her friends. A ride out in the country, where the air is fresh and wholesome, is a pleasure in itself, and when you combine it with the fun of shooting blue rocks thrown from a hand trap, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you are able to give your friends a taste of one of the best sports in the world and one that once enjoyed, will never be forgotten, for o P Ly^ PAGE NINETEEN DIANA OF THE TRAPS m .J AN AUTOMOBILE AND A HAND TRAP FORM A SPLENDID COMBINATION FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES trapshooting is very contagious, and when an onlooker sees how much fun and pleasure her friends get from the game she, too, becomes fascinated and enthusiastic about the sport and wants to try her hand at the flying clays. The hand trap as a means of home practice in trapshooting, offers an opportunity long sought by the trapshooting novice as well as the most enthusiastic expert. Country Shoot and Dance A friend of the Nemours Club, living in the country, invited the members to an afternoon shoot at his home to be followed by a basket dinner and informal dance, which occasion proved very enjoyable. An expert trap was set up in a nearby field, with an old "stone-boat" W^^ sQ M o PAGE TWENTY DIANA OF THE TRAPS onnnannH and some planks as a protective screen. Stakes capped with wood squares were driven into the ground 16 yards from the trap to serve as shooting stations and stands for shell boxes. Twenty women shot twenty-five shells each, and made excellent scores despite a hail storm and poor light. The awarding of a number of "joke" prizes created much merri- ment. Then dinner was served to the shooters and their male escorts from the abundant supplies their baskets disclosed, after which all danced to the music of a player-piano. The evening was characterized by the real fun and informality common to country parties, and all had such a good time, that there have been several repetitions of the affair. M lyi P^J fn] Nemours Club Prizes and Trophies Realizing the desirability of prizes to stimulate interest and encourage good shooting, the officers of the Nemours Club requested donations of prizes and money to buy prizes, from friends and local sporting goods dealers and other merchants. Several private parties and the Fox and Marlin Gun Companies donated shotguns — eight in all. These were the first prizes because most needed, as but few of the girls owned guns. Six of the guns were awarded to the first six girls breaking fifteen out of twenty-five targets, the contestants being permitted to use the prize guns in the meantime. The first gun was won in a few weeks. PAGE TWENTY-ONE DIANA OF THE TRAPS In the interim various weekly prizes from 50 cents to $2.00 in value were shot for, as well as some valued trophies. In order to keep down the shooting expenses, the first twenty -five shots of each shooter counted in all prize competitions. o How to Organize a Trapshooting Club First, send us the names of women friends whom you have already interested, and we will send to each a copy of this book. Second, ask us to send you our booklets. The Sport Alluring, and Gun Club Organization and House Plans. We will endeavor in every way to assist you in starting the club and making it a success. If there is no men's club or trap shooting layout in your vicinity, please inform us, and we will advise you as to the best arrangements to make. Address all letters to Trapshooting Department, Du Pont Powder Co., Wilmington, Del., where they will receive prompt and careful atten- tion. Du Pont Powder Company Prize Stories To stimulate the interest of women in trapshooting, the E. I. du Pont de Nemours Powder Company offered a first prize of $50.00, and a second of $25.00 for the best stories by women trapshooters, on trapshooting for women. The first prize was awarded to Jennie P. Hirst, of Wilmington, Del., and the second to Mrs. Martha Dewey, of Hazel Green, Wis. The judges were Caspar Whitney, the famous sporting editor, and Samuel Wesley Long, special writer of sporting articles. The average of all the articles was so high that the judges experi- enced difficulty in selecting the winners, and the Du Pont Company decided to buy and publish all of them in this booklet. By reading all of them, one gains a realistic impression of trap- shooting from the feminine viewpoint. We believe these recitals of personal experiences justify our faith in the great future of trapshooting among women. We recommend the careful reading of all of them by women considering taking up this sport. i:^&-.< ^ ^^ Qi r PAGE TWENTY-TWO DIANA OF THE TRAPS TRAPSHOOTING FROM A WOMAN'S VIEWPOINT MISS J. P. HIRST JENNIE P. HIRST. Wilmington, Del. HERE is something of the primitive in every normal human being — we love to fight for fight's sake, we love to conquer obstacles, to overcome diffi- culties, and the stronger the resistance we have to meet, the keener the delight of conquest. For that reason games of skill have been invented and man, tiring quickly of what is easily accomplished or obtained, is ever seeking new fields to conquer. Though new to many of the devotees of out-of-door sports, trapshooting is rapidly coming to the front as a national recreation. It is typically an American sport in that Americans as a nation have an inborn desire to use firearms — the small boy's (or even girl's) affection for a pistol or anything that looks like one and will make a noise — is proof of that. Perhaps it's the old soldier ancestry of most of us, or maybe just the remnant of the primitive. Sometimes these elemental forces are influenced by our surroundings. If you travel with me for just a little while perhaps you'll come to this conclusion — at any rate you'll see how trapshooting made converts of us all. Do you know the haunts of the Brandywine in the neighborhood of Wilmington? And have you ever gone over the old covered bridge and wandered around through the quaint little village of Rising Sun? Our way to the Gun Club leads us through it, and, in contemplation of the picture from the old covered bridge, we might almost imagine ourselves in another country. It's right here, I think, that the primitive makes itself felt in the blood. Indian loves and conquests have had their setting here, our forefathers fought and struggled and conquered here, and the whole ^ place is replete with history and folk-lore. THE OLD COVERED BRIDGE ON THE ROAD TO THE CLUB PAGE TWENTY-THREE DIANA OF THE TRAPS We could muse for hours, but right in harmony with our thoughts comes a sound that awakens us to action — the report of a shot. It may be simply a test at the Ballistic Station or it may be some of our Gun Club members early "on the job," so we wake from our dreams of war and conquest to hurry into actual battle. Our first lesson is in the handling of the gun, with the utmost care taught and exhibited. The proper and careful handling of fire- arms is something with which every woman should be familiar, for one never knows when the knowledge may be of use, but by far too many of us are "afraid of the sight of a gun." The first natural fear and timidity over- come, we begin to realize the importance of concentration, and this is one requirement that makes the sport so beneficial. One of our num- ber, the mother of a considerable little brood, comes week after week for the sheer delight of holding a gun and "shooting at something," and says that the entire change of thought in the great out-of-doors drives duties and tares from her mind and results at night in sleep of a kind to which she has long been a stranger. We all take home with us healthy appetites and uplifted spirits that come from the walk in the open air, and the hour or so spent on the hills in the absorbing exercise, and the vision of the trees and green fields stays with us for days. Though success may have seemed to come slowly to some of us, each week our deter- mination grew to do something the next time — to fight and conquer the swiftly-flying, tantalizing birds — till one happy time our perseverance was rewarded by ten of us being considered proficient enough to make our appearance in a neighboring city — the first time, I believe, that two complete squads of women ever took part in a trapshooting tourna- ment. LOADING THE GUN AT THE FIRING STATION ^Sj M 5^? r MRS. TOPPERWEIN, THE FAMOUS WOMAN SHOT. IS FOURTH FROM LEFT OF GROUP OF SHOOTERS IN EASTERN HANDICAP PAGE TWENTY-FOUR c « R! Later on we again appeared in public, thii time in the Eastern Handicap in Wilmington, and again held up our end of the great game. It has been argued with some of us, and the sentiment may be rather prevalent, that trapshooting is hardly a fitting pastime for a lady, that our finer sen- sibilities must ultimately suffer from the promiscuous mingling with men, this probably with an erroneous idea of the class of men who follow trapshooting. It is true it is democratic, in that it has among its followers all classes of people, but it is generally conceded by those who are qualified to judge to be a "gentlemanly" sport, clean and fair, and is rapidly becoming a feature of some of the most exclusive country clubs of the country. And as for our womanliness being impaired, it speaks well for us, I think, that at Baltimore and at the Eastern Handicap, the quality about Mrs. A. Topperwein (the champion woman shot of the world), that captivated and charmed us all was not so much her wonderful shooting as her wholesome and unaffected womanliness. The more we mingled with her, the more we were convinced that if a woman whose work threw her so constantly with men could keep her heart and life so entirely womanly, our association with the right kind of men, such as so far it has been our good fortune to meet, should only serve to broaden us, and the woman element in the sport should tend to give it a higher tone. The other day an Ejiglish peer, in awarding the sports' \/iDC V Dii cv prizes to some girl champions of a college near London, MKo. L. L. KILLY condemned the selfish, almost rude, seeking for first place Mother of a Family of Ten, prevalent in most sports. In trapshooting the ethics of is an Ardent Devotee the sport are always emphasized, and courtesy to others of the Sport is one of the first principles, though this need not prevent a spirit of friendly rivalry in the harmless but exciting warfare. There is something, too, in learning to control the unladylike desire to use — well, emphatic expletives and the ladylike inclination to cry when the birds are particularly stubborn, and learning to take it all like a man, or a gentleman, rather, as part of the game. r E i^a m GENERAL VIEW, DU PONT TRAPSHOOTING CLUB PACE TWENTY-FIVE DIANA OF THE TRAPS TRAPSHOOTING IS THE IDEAL SPORT FOR WOMEN It is the only sport where she meets man on equal ground — largely due to the fact that muscular power and physical ability play little or no part in results. Precision in aim, skill in following or leading the birds and judgment in firing are required. These and other valuable qualities, such as concentration, decision, accuracy, steadiness of nerve, control, coolness, and self-confidence, are all de- veloped and encouraged. But to me one of the greatest arguments in favor of trapshooting is the protection of game. I can sympathize with the dear, old, western lady who, reading of Mrs. Topper- wein's wonderful marksmanship in bringing down the "Blue Rock Pigeons," wrote her to the effect that while she appreciated her skill, she thought her abilities might be put to better use than destroying poor, helpless birds. There is some satisfaction, then, in knowing that the victim of your prowess is not a timid hare, a bright-eyed squirrel, a feathered creature of the air, but a lifeless, saucer- shaped composition of tar and river silt, commonly called a "clay pigeon" — lifeless, yes, but tantalizingly lifelike enough in its swift and uncertain flight to challenge every drop of red blood in your body. The "sport alluring" it has been called, and alluring is the only word that seems to describe it. Enticing, fascinating, tempting, it gets in the blood, calling us on and on to conquer further — as one of our girls puts it: "If you're not breaking any, you want to keep on till you do, then when you break one, you're perfectly wild to break more" — and Oh, the satisfaction when you get to the point MISS AMY SCHOFIELD where you can make a score worth while and know you Precision in Aim and Skill really can shoot. On one of the days of the Eastern Handi- in Following is Essential cap, when I happened to be among the spectators, a Quaker to Success gentleman of my acquaintance leaned over through the crowd and, touching me on the shoulder, said: "I almost wish I could shoot, doesn't thee?" It didn't occur to me then to be surprised at this new type of wishbone in the non-militant Friend — every other thought was lost in the pride (pKirdonable, I hope) of my quick reply, "/ can." And so might any of us have answered, for we are an enthusiastic little army of "shoot- resses," believing that what others have done we can do, and foreseeing a great future for trapshooting among women. A proficient trapshooter is the possessor of a quick and intent mind and muscles work- ing in harmony. The healthful exercise, congenial companionship and complete forgetful- ness of all cares afford real relaxation without the physical exhaustion that comes from so many other sports — I call it "the sport that cheers but doesn't enervate." It is a clean sport in every sense of the word ; the smokeless powder makes it so physi- cally. A woman may go to the traps and shoot for a while and go on her way as fresh and dainty as she started, but if she wishes to become really proficient she is wise if she dons loose garments that allow her arms free play. It is a clean sport morally — the environment is always Nature's own and usually her best. There is absolutely no chance for unfairness in any way. There can be no discrimination shown in the way the birds fly — that's mechanically governed; the judge announces the "dead" or "lost" before the eyes and to the ears of yourself and all spectators. There is just enough of the element of chance to give an exciting interest and to train the mind still further to allow for all influences and conditions. It not infrequently happens that the one having the highest score one week has the lowest another, and vice cersa — this due to some error in judgment or de- cision or some trick of wind or flight of "birds." It's an all-the-year-round sport, not dependent on seasons or weather; and if you're anywhere near a trap you know you can shoot whenever you want; or, if not near a regu- lation trap, you can use a hand trap. O m PAGE TWENTY-SIX DIANA OF THE TRAPS TRAPSHOOTING FROM A WOMAN'S VIEWPOINT By MARTHA E. DEWEY, Hazel Green, Wis. In outdoor sports, as well as indoors, a woman loves and admires the best there is in the world. She loves the open forest and stream; the mountains and surf appeal to her. She loves every flower that blooms in her pathway and every song bird that has left the wild and makes its home with us. She enjoys the pleasure of outdoor recreation in which she can participate and not be only a spectator. She wishes to remain young and be in sympathy with her own family circle and the coterie of friends who gather at her home. A woman's viewpoint is sub- ject to her environment. Many of our outdoor pastimes are too strenuous for a woman. Trapshooting for a woman is ideal, and, at your invitation and suggestion, I will tell you why. As a child I often drove my father in southern Wisconsin. p m HP MARTHA E. DEWEY I saw him shoot on the uplands and along the sloughs of the Mississippi River. I realize now, but I did not then, what a splendid field shot he was. I watched him and admired him. He was a success. To-day becomes yesterday, to-morrow is to-day. The responsibilities of life and living were mine, but over it all and above all, there is the memory of one who excelled. Several years ago, when visiting in the Middle West, I was invited by friends to join them and go to the lakes. It was October. The Indian summer haze blended with the tawny sides of the hills. The wild fowl were going south. I accepted their invitation. They gave me a light gun and general instructions. Next morning, before dawn, I was afloat on the lake. There was a whir of wild wings while it was yet dark. The east reddened. We waited. Somewhere out of the sky there came what looked to me like a little black meteor. "Hold ahead!" was the command. I tried to "hold ahead" and pulled. There was a sharp, resilient report and echo over the sedges and every wild fowl that had sought shelter and rejxjse on that lake was in the air. That shot is a reminiscence. It was, from a hunter's standpoint, a success. I would not do it again for I love every bird that in its flight gives us a live picture and gladdens the sky. I confess I burned powder that morning, but there are ducks galore which my trailing shot failed to find. I said when I returned to the camp ground, I would learn to shoot but I would do my shooting at inanimate targets. I returned to my home in Wisconsin. My brother and nephew are members of the gun club; they invited me to join them. They are amateurs but shoot above the "ninety" mark. They taught me how to shoot. Their grounds are on the brow of a hill. In the valley, a trout stream runs riot on the first leg of its journey in search for the sea. f?^ ^ m PAGE TWENTY-SEVEN DIANA OF THE TRAPS THE INEXPENSIVE LAYOUT WHERE MRS. DEWEY SHOT Trapshooting to its votaries is as far ahead of ordinary sports, in which a woman can join, as an electric light is ahead of a tallow dip. It is simply your viewpoint. If you hit, it's history; if you miss, it's mystery. There are more "mysteries" with women shooting at the trap than "histories." There would be more history if women were more often on the firing line. The world loves a good lover — at the trap, a good loser. It is easier to lose than to win, but the generous rivalry, the courtesy extended, makes nerves vibrant and keeps you in touch with yourself. After the day is done and you have done your best, you may find a reflection of clover blossoms in your cheeks and a suggestion of the wind flower in your eye when you say to your friend: "Good night and pleasant dreeuns." Take your gun and go with your home folks and friends and be with them at the traps. Teach them there is no danger in a gun if pointed the right way. Teach them skill, poise, finesse. Add to their general accomplishments. Our boys and girls will soon be men and women and take our places. Teach them the love of Nature. Give them general instructions. Tell them to study the wind, sometimes to hold a little ahead, sometimes a little under, but tell them to hold close to the target. They will make good. The clear air, the quick pull, the flying target, a shattered disc and a good score makes life worth the living. Trapshooting brings you to the test of a good eye, quick thought, steady nerves and the telling of "how I missed my last bird." It brings the comradeship of friends, when the day is done, dinner served, stories told, and songs sung. I enjoy it, for my boys can be taught under the guidance of skilled friends how to excel. My daughters can become proficient and self-reliant. I have never attended a professional meet. I am simply an amateur. I enjoy it, for over the blue-grass field there is no live bird to feel the cruelty of a storm of shot. It appeals to me, for on the sky-line there is only an illusive target hurrying to get out of the way. There is the crack of your gun trying to stop it. One who loves the sport could write a book on trapshooting. An expert, a classic; an amateur writes as she shoots. WHY I TOOK UP TRAPSHOOTING By HARRIET D. HAMMOND, Wilmington, Del. Miss Hammond prefaced her article with references to juvenile experiences with .22 caliber rifle, bullet moulding with the brothers' aid, admiration for father's, brothers' and neighbors' skill with shotgun and rifle and her temporary delight during an Adirondack vacation, when her gun was the cause of one less deer. She says: O DIANA OF THE TRAPS 5^ m " I was very much delighted at first. Gradually I began to think that taking the life of such a beau- tiful creature was not so very creditable to a woman — especially when we were recognized as being the 'gentler sex.' Then it was that I resolved never to handle a gun again. "But when one has the memories of pleasant days with the gun revived by a visit to an active gun club, and sees there the men and women engaged in shooting at lifeless targets, the old desire to do likewise is quite irresistible. "When I received an invitation to attend the 'Eastern Handicap' at the Du Pont Trapshooting Club of Wilming- ton, Delaware, I was exceedingly pleased. The day was ideal for shooting — a clear sky, a soft summer breeze came across the field and occasionally a fitful zephyr gave to a soaring target an incentive to jump, much to the chagrin of the shooter on the firing line. Fascinated beyond expecta- tion, I resolved to take up the sport. But for the fact that entries were beyond my pocket-book, I verily believe I'd have insisted that my brother enter my name so I could shoot. "At the conclusion of the program I was more than ever convinced that in trapshooting there was sport for shooters minus all the disturbing elements associated with field and marsh gunning expeditions. My other brothers fffomptly took me in hand and gave me many points about handling the gun and suggestions concerning trapshooting. " I must confess that when I started out I had visions of a sore arm and shoulder, for I fully expected my gun to 'kick.' My brother, who taught me to shoot, assured me, however, that I would not feel any recoil if I handled my gun properly and I very soon learned that he was right. I never have a mark on my shoulder, do not get the least bit tired, and find trapshooting the most enjoyable thing I have ever undertaken in the way of sport. "Some people argue that trapshooting is a very expensive sport and they are afraid to enter into it. If that were so I would be obliged to give it up, for I am not in a position to take up anything that calls for much expense. I find I can get a great deal of pleasure out of trapshooting without spending much money, and I think, if you will follow my plan you will agree with me that it is no more expensive to shoot clay pigeons on a Saturday MISS HARRIET D. HAMMOND itoii ^ ^. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^I^^^^^^^k' IR ^Hflj H ^^B ^ t i^kI 1 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H^K^^^^^W#i> o^ *- .A* A '^o^ u ^°-;^ <. p" •"- /% ^^K*" '^^^''^x^ ''^^^^^ /^\ ^^^*'' ^^^'"'^^ "- 4, ■ ^"///^ o_ .0^ .0^ 3s? -Tj '^ .<^ /^.V/.^ %. c^^ ^^ c^"