The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-12-02
AFTER PRAIRIE CHICKENS.
HOW THE WILD BIRDS ARE HuHTED
IN ILLINOIS.
The Hunters Keen-Scented DORs-A
SpOrtsman's OUTFIT - How the
Birds are Found and KILLED.

~
SpOrtsman's Outfit p 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 singlv 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 an 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, and 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
well fed and comfortably housed pets.
In fact, they are quite the reverse, and,
as rule, are lean ana 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 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 a 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 800. If well treated and intelli-
gently handled the trained dog is a mir
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,
and the hunters as a 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,
''shell-box" filled with loaded car
tridges, rubber or leather ip-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
mans cannon, which was built around a
big hole, in that it appears to be con-
structed around innumerable pockets. 1t
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 or
boots may be used In the pockets of
the coat are short rawhide whip and
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 farmhouse where they have
passed the night. At the word of COM
mand the dogs leap into the wagon, and
few moments drive brings the hunters
to ''likely field" The hunters alight,
slip cartridge into each barrel of their
guns, and turn into the field. The dogs
are eager for the sport to begin, and at
the words "Hunt 'em up" aud a wave
of the hand, spring out into the stubble
at full speed, one hunter and one dog TO
each side of the field. The dogs work
from the edge of the field TO the centre,
cross, keep on to the outer edge, return,
and cross again, covering the field in
ever-varying and irregular circles. Now
and then one pauses and snuffI the
wind blowing down the field,
or turns quickly aside from his
course and follows up for few
yards an old scent in the hope of finding
it grow stronger. Suddenly one of them
running at full speed in long, elastic
bounds, with ear and tail waving as he
leaps, falls, flat as if paralyzed and re-
mains motionless as II stone. Quick as
is the movement, tine other dog has also
crouched and is pointing at the first
dog, backing him up with implicit
confidence, though the scent may not
have reached his keen nostlils. Then
the sagaei0us animals turn their heads
aud look back at their masters with in
telligent eyes, as il he says, Hurry up;
here they arem The men move rapidly
and noiselessly mp to the first dog. The
t..Aa !. 1.