Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-11-14
Goose Shooting From Stubble In MIN
..,,-. neSOta.

p To have anything like sport in the
pursuit Of the common wild goose Der
niela Canadensis), the ordinary methods
of hunting waterfowl hardly answer
here; besides, the lakes they frequent
are not large enough to Justify the use
of the bay shooting tactics from sink.
boats, and from blinds near the water.
These birds are exceedingly wary when
upon the fields, and are very seldom
bagged by stalking. In their watchful.
ness they have but one rival, and he an
effective ally, in the sand-bill, crane,
which often feeds in their midst. thus
adding to the difficulty Of approach
within effective range. The difficult
problem of their successful capture
was at last solved for us by Colonel
Sam Doughty, OF Lake City, Mimi,
who introduced shooting over decoys
from pits dug in the stubble or new
breaking, where it has been ascertsined
geese are in the habit of feeding. The
decoys are of the simplest construction
and greatest portability, being merely
fiat forms in good outline painted in
imitation of the wild goose; these when
seen at right angles to their fiat sur
faces, at ordinary shotgun range and
beyond, are we'll calculated to deceive
not alone his gooseship but even ANA
teur sportsmen. =.
Two flights a day ara made by the
geese from the large lakes in search Of
food; one taking place at daybreak in
the morning and lasting perhaps an
hour, and the other ct four O'Clock in
the afternoon, occupying about the
same length Of time. On these flights
they are often accompanied by the
snow.goase (Anser hyper boreas) and the
.white-fr onted goose (Anser Gam5elii),
which are here called respectively
white and black brant, though they do
not much resemble the true .brant Of the
sea-coast Branta Hemida) which may
be found occasionally in the midst Of
the Aocks of the other kinds yet are by
no means common. J1i IA
From about the latitude of Kapdiyoh
County to the Red River Of the north,
the different species Of the wild goose
hold high revel, and, upon the approach
Iof the cold weather, may be seen in
in countless thousands massing for
the southern fight. An early morn
ing drive along the ;wheat,6elds
which they frequent will disclose them
feeding either upon stubble OF break
ing. They must be allowed to depart
not only unmolested, but of their own
accord, when an examination Of the
feeding ground, is carefully made, and
the pits may then at once be sunk If
there are two shooters, as many pits are
necessary, and they are best circular in
form, about thirty inches in diameter
and forty inches in DEPTH The earth
of the excavation may be partially util-
lied in constructing a slight embahk.
ment around the edges Of the pie. The
surface of the soil about the pitsopen-
,ings must be manipulated until it &C
cords in appearance with the natural
surroundings. The pits may be near
enough to permit Of whispered con
versation between the occupants when
the game is approaching. The decoys.
to the number, of q dozen or more, be-
ing fiat. must be placed at such singles
that when viewed from any point OF the
compass q few apparently solid geese
are seen. ACHAR1Rs A. ZIMMERMAN, in
ocrteneF. J-...!IsSl. e. o0ys,s ..