West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-05-01
Tho k.nElI-h SnInc.


A peculiarly of a good snipo ground Is
It's seeming ineNhausti6ility. A well stocked
but small haunt of quail, prairie chicken,
OF any land bird save snipe and woodcock,
is soon depleted by sharp shooting. nor
will II recover until the following season.
But with snipe the case is wholly different.
You raise possibly u hundred birds to-day.
and Kill OIL couple of dozen. Tomorrow,
there seems about AS many, and your sue
cess corresponds with that of Yesterday /:
so through whole week, perhaps with
apparently no marked addition OF subtrac-
tion from the quantity of game when
you desist. Whence they come Is one of
the mysteries of snlpc history. If very
considerable tract were so laid under trib-
ute, such results would excite no surprise
but when the whole ara travelled over il
but few acres, IL is matter of aston,sli-
ment. We have in mind a bit of the cholc-
est kind of snipe ground. mile and half
long, and from a few yards to an eighth of
mile IN width, that at the height of the
season presents this characteristic i'm n
marked degree. couple OF guns have
brushed over II for an hour or two each
morning and evening during week, taking
OH from ten To fifteen couple daily, and
leaving the ground as fat M they found IL.
In shooting, remember that they always
rise against the wind 40 make a wide de-
tour II necessary, TO come upon the wind
ward end Of the ground, and then beat to
It's iurthermost point. The motions of the
bird in the air are very rapid, twisting and
perpleNing, and none other require more
careful observance of their flight before
you can hope for success In shooting. The
best days for seeking him are when first th
weather has become warm and calm. or
with "A soulherly, moist breeze, after Sc
we're, long, cold storm from the north.
northeast or northwest The birds tnlo
advantage OF the change to feed on the
marshes they half deserted during the
boisteious weather A warm day follow
ing slight hoar frost is also excellent. On
The favorable days the birds hc well,
even In the bare open marsh from which
the ice aud spring freshets have swept all
covert They betake themselves TO little
dcpressions in the ground, hiding behind
swalcs. hillocks and little ridges, and div
ing into little sunkcn spots. Although mt
other times they would rise well out of dts
lance when you walked across no bald "A
ground, yet now they seem content 20 rest
after long buiicting with the fierce, strong
winds. such ground and such DAYS are To
be marked with wbltc stone by the un-
happy man whose good fortune has brought
him timely there. For Spring shooting,
use wading stockings, high water tight
leather boots. You do not now need to
travel over wide extent of country, AMI the
water Is OF the cOdcst. In the fall, ordinary
boots, no matter how holey, or stout shoes,
with leggings, are better. You must travel
longer distances and will hardly cOnfnc
your whole day To tins spot. Therefore, the
exercise and the warmer water will keep
you safe from harm through wet feet II
you keep in motion, the blood will circu-
late freely, and wet stockings feel warm
but do not SIT down ON II log for long rest,
N" mntter how wcaried, or you will quickly
chill, probably laying the foundation for
serious cold or future siege Of rheumatism.