The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-05-29
SHOOTING DUCKS.
A REPoRToRIAL EXPERIENCE ON THE
LAKE MARSHES.
An Early Breakfas and . Cold, Gray SKY
The Preparatory outnt-The Fun
Wakes Past and Exc!t-
iBg-The Game.
chicago Tribune.l

lChicago Tribune.l
Our reporter started out in the midst Of
tbe furious ,nowstorm the other afternoon,
well equipped with all the implements for
the sport II duck-hunting. Briefly enumer-
ated the articles Of his costume were: One
double-barTsl breech loading shotgun and
cartridge: oil tanned horsehide boots reach
ing 10 the hips; two pairs OF wooden socks;
heavy undertaking; two outside flannel
shirts; corduroy suit aud hat; outer shoot
ing jacket of canvas; long rubber coat; and
thick, obtained dogskin gloves Arrived
at South Chicago, q livery wagon landed
him on the shore OF George lake, one OF the
Calumet system of lakes, and just over
the Indiana state line. A knock at the do
of solitary house, standing near Tine
watsr's edge, AMI decorated with huge
punches of ducks, was answered by cry OF
1Come iD," and a chorus OF dog music"
Around u long table sat dozen or 30 nun
tors rapidly making away with a steaming-
hot supper Of ham and eggs potatoes, bread
and butter, and coffee. Guns were In every
corner. and various articles Of apparel were
drying over roaring wood fire.. The re-
porter was quickly doing his lest TO let no
paIatable morsel ESCAPE. Then followed
social smoke, the loading OF shells, the final
preparations for the morrow, "Good night"
and oblivion In a comfortable bunk.
AN EARLY BREAKFAST.
AT 3:45 the next morning the sleeper was
awakened by tho cry "Wake up; breakfasts
ready" hasty toilet was made, and soon
the table va, again full Of hungry men stow
ing away the greatest quantity OF hot break
fast In the shortest possible time. Singly
and In groups tho eaters rose and donned
their heavy outer garments, grasped gun
and shell-case and started for the boat
house on the lake shors The light, fatbot-
toned hunting. skiffs were filled with clean,
dry hay. the decoys piled into the stern. and
n race begun for the most desirable blinds"
Out In the lake the bitter northeast wind
was blowing d gale. AMI the waves were
running high, making q watchful eye and
strong arm necessity. The day was just
breaking, and the cold, gray sky. covered
with hanging clouds, and the long
stretch Of foam-capped waves and desolate
marsh made a dismal picture indeed. Early
as Il was, the ducks were awake and Vigi-
liant. As the boats crept slowly over the
lake flock after flock arose and circled here
and there.
THE HUNTERS "BLIND."
After long and laborious row across the
stormy lake the other shore and smooth
water were reached, and the reporter drew
ND at his "blind." The "blind" Is supposed
20 blind the ducks TO the hunters presence,
and is cover of brush and hay, under
which the boat Is drawn. Soon the boat
was hidden behind the cover, tue brush and
hay disposed TO the best advantage, and the
flock OF wooden, gaily-painted decoy ducks
spread in an inviting group In front Of the
Al Ill - L. .sa,,tI xr
placed ready to hand, and the hunter, cock
ing his gun, lies fiat in his boat ready for
the fray. A puff of smoke rises from
blind down the lake; the report comes
slowly up against the wind. II Is the first
shot Of the day and the sport has begun. A
sharp and steady gaze I'm the direction Of the
shot shows three flying objects skmming
along the water, coming with the rapidity
Of a bullet against the wind and heading
straight for the decoys. On they come to
within forty yards, unconscious Of danger.
Then they see the trap, and swerve In
alright, rising high in the air. Too latei
The hunter rises on one knee and takes
quick aims fires, and two Of the three ducks
fall with q splash into the water.
FUN ALIVE.
BY this time the ball Is fairly opened all
along the lake, and the heavy reports In all
directions stir up the ducks and keep them
flying. The fun wakes fast and exciting
There Is no time to row out after the dead
ducks. They 90 drifting of before the wind
and the hunter must get them later IL no
can The ducks come singly, in pairs, and
now and then i'm focks. Sometimes IL Is two
with one barrel sometimes IL Ia a clean miss
with both barrels, ami now and then a lucky
shot at o flock will bring down three or
four. For half an hour Il Is load and fire
almost as fast as the breech-loader can be
manipulated Then comes lulL A careful
look around the horizon shows no birds In
sight The reporter slips out Of his blind
and runs down with the wind after his dead
birds Right and left he picks them up,
their white breasts showing clear on the
dark water and making them an easy object
TO Soc Then he rows back TO his blind and
with glance of satisfaction counts up thir-
ty-fve victims of the slaughter.
PURSUIT OF THE WOUNDED.
And 70 II goes. Not seldom the duck falls
In the water merely winged, and does not
come up. There can DO seen about an inch
Of his bill. A quick shot about half foot
this side of the little black object and the
dead bird, killed by the conclusion Of the
shot on the water, comes TO the surface and
floats breast up. When the reporter gets
back TO the house be will hear some new
hand telling about how he killed a duck
sdead as door-nail" and IL went right to
the bottom and never came up. So would
the duck be has Just killed have done had he
not seen the bill stuck out just TO the breath
ing holes, and silently and imperceptibly
gliding out into the lake. Again winged
duck comes down just out OF gunshot, and
starts like propeller for the centor of tho
lake. Should the bird DO pursued, 1t will
be simply waste of labor time, and pa
tience He can swim as fast as boat can
be rowed, he can dive like fish and double
like hare, and the scrip" as the crippled
bird Is termed, viii fight 1t out all summer.
TIRED AT LAST.
About 10 o'clock the birds cease 10 fiy. No
longer Is there the excitement TO keep one
warm. The bitter wind sweeping across the
! fat country pierces canvas. corduroy. fan
mel and flesh and blood. o. all cold places
the coolest Il an open boat In the Calumet
marshes The fingers slowly stiffen the fee,
become numb, and finally the chill strikes
into the very vitals. Then the reporters
fancies turn with persistent fondnes' b the
roaring fire and appetizing dinner The
picture Is too strong to be resiste I, and he
makes ready TO start across the lake. The
stifrsning fingers must be dipped into the
freezing water, and the boat rowed here
and there, sometimes shipping wave, for
the wind has changed 10 the east, and blown
directly across the lake, until the decoys arr
all taken In. Then long row In the teeth
of the wind until the shore Is reached. Ther
the boat Is pulled high on the beach, tn.
ducks tied with q strong rope by the necks
and the reporter, chilled and wet, tired and
hungry. staggers to the house under his loaa
OF ducks with an slated heart and m ape
tite that II wolhsh In In intensity.
A Very Curious Old Book.
Chicago Hcrald-l
The most curious book In the world Is ons
that In neither written nor printed. Ever,