Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-10-30
AFTER PRAIRIE CHICKENS.
HOW THE WILD BIRDS ARE HUNTED
IN ILLINOIS.
The Hunters Keen-Scented DOgs-A
STO-tsman's Outfit - How the
Birds are Found and Killed.

A Chicago letter says that a glance,
almost any day, into the baggage cars
of the trains leaving the city for the
West and South will reveal an unusual
sight. In addition to the piles of trunks
empty milk cans, and the usual promis-
cuous heaps of all kinds of luggage
anywhere from six to two dozen dogs of
various sizes and eolors may be seen Sc
curely chained in different parts of the
car. They may be chained singly, in
pairs, and sometimes in double pairs;
but the different groups are kept care
fully apart and out of each others reach.
The reason is that they are apt to be bel
ligerent AMI are extremely valuable, and
'scrapping match" of even short du-
ration might result in the destruction of
serious damage of several hundred dol
lars worth of property of kind not
easily replaced, ana the delay of hunt.
ing trip just begun. The secret is out.
They are hunting dogs and their owners
are starting out for the corn fields and
grain stubbles in search of prairie chick
ems. Contrary to what one would natu-
rally expect the dogs are far from being
plump and sleek after the manner of
we'll fed and comfortably housed pets.
In fact, they are quite the revei Sc, and,
as rule, are lean and gaunt, although
clean and sound of limb. They
are kept thin on purpose, that
they may work easily and without
fatigue, and are trained with all the care
bestowed upon champion in the ring.
Few of them are valued at less than
$3.50, and a check for ten times that
amount would not buy a number in the
| car. Born with the instincts of the
hunting dog of pure pedigree, they have
been as carefully trained as children, and
at large expense, by their owners or by
| professional trainers, who make hand
some living at the business. The ordi-
nary pup is worth from $50 to $3.50, ac-
cording to the size, color, disposition
and pedigree, and his training costs from
$50 to 500. If well treated and intelli-
gently handled the trained dog is a miS
acle of docility and intelligence, and the
hunters bag would be woefully small
without his aid.
In the smoking car will be found the
hunters themselves. While their cos
tunes are much alike, the similarity ends
with their clothes and outfits. A dozen
Or more conditions of life and business
interests are represented by the group.
The chicken shooting in Iowa, Minnesota
and the West generally is poor this year,
aud the hunters as rule have obtained
most of their sport in Illinois and In
diana. These men are bound for the
central and southern parts of Illinois,
and the rich corn and grain fields of the
Prairie State. The outfit of each is quite
similar, varying only in quality and com.
pleteness. 1t may be briefly enumerated
as follows: A dog or two, a gun, a
'shell-box" filled with loaded car
tridges, rubber or leather hip boots, a
pair of lighter shoes or boots, stout
breeches, hunting coat and cap, rub
Der coat and game-bag. The
coat is the most remarkable part OF
the costume. 1t resembles the Irish
mans cannon, which was built around a
big hole, in that it appears to be con.
structed around innumerable pockets. II
is made of stout canvas, the color OF
dried reeds or an oat stubble. The hip
boots are for use in the morning when
the dew lies heavy on the fields and for
wading in the marshy bits. In the after.
noon in dry weather the lighter shoes OIL
boots may be used. In the pockets of
the coat are short rawhde whip and q
silver whistle, articles of whose use the
dog is well aware. The prairie chicken
is an accommodating bird, and may be
hunted in pleasant weather; and this
fact may partially account for the ar.
dor with which it is pursued. Chicken
shooting, however, is fascinating sport
in itself, the game being wary, strong OF
wing, and exceedingly palatable. Day
light finds the hunters-for they gener
ally, like their dogs. hunt in pairs
leaving the farm house where they have
passed the night. At the word of com
mand the dogs leap into the wagon, anG
few moments drive brings the hunters
to "likely field" The hunters alight,
slip cartridge into each barrel of theil
guns, and turn into the field. The dogs
are eager for the sport to begin, and a
the words ''Hunt 'em up" and wave
OF the hand, spring out into the stubblt
at full speed, one hunter and one dog t.
each side of the field. The dogs worl
from the edge of the field to the centre
cross, keep on to the outer edge, return
and cross again, covering the field il
ever-varying and irregular circles. Nov
and then one pauses and snuffs tn,
wind blowing down the fed
Or turns quickly aside from hi
course and follows up for a few
yards an old scent in the hope of finding
it grow stronger. Suddenly one of then
running at full speed in long, easti,
bounds, with ear and tail waving as h,
leaps, falls fiat as if paralyzed and re
mains motionless as stone. Quick a
is the movement, tine other dog has alst
crouched and is pointing at the frs
dog, backing him up with implici
confidence, though the scent may no
have reached his keen nostrils. Thel
the sagacious animals turn their head
and look back at their masters with in
telligent eyes, as If he says, Hurry up
here they arem The men move rapidl,
and noiselessly mp to the first dog. The
intelligent animal, who has not moved
muscle, except to turn his head and lool
back, rises slowly and crouchingly t.
his feet, and with nose extended steal
slowly forward, intelligence and war;
caution expressed in every movement o
his eloquent body. His feet are lifted
and put down like paws of velvet, and
his progress is noiseless and as true a
the needle to the pole. The hunter
follow carefully close behind, gun
cooked and ready for use.
Down goes the dog as though sho
dead and this time he does not dare t,
look back, the tremor of his body givin.
warning that ne can go no further with
out walking into the covey. The mel
take one, two steps-whiz. whirr-thre
birds rise two to the left nna I.