Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-05-15
SHOOTING DUCKS.
A PROPORTIONAL EXPERIENCE ON THE
LAKE MARSHES.
An Early Breakfast and Cold. Gray Sky
The Preparatory OutHt-The Fun
WAKES Fast and Excit-
fng--The Game.
chicago Tribune.l

Our reporter started out in the midst Of
the furious snowstorm the other afternoon
we'll equipped with all the implements for
the sport Of duck-hunting. Briefly enumer-
ated tho articles Of his costume were: One
double-barrel breech-loading shotgun and
cartridges; iltanned horsehide boots reach
ing to the hips; two pairs Of woolen socks;
heavy underclothing; two outside flannel
shirts; corduroy suit and hat; outer shoot
ing jacket Of canvas; long rubber coat; and
thick, obtained dogskin gloves. Arrived
at South Chicago, a 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 tho door
OF solitary house, standing near the
waters edge, ami decorated with huge
punches Of ducks. was answered by a cry OF
"Come In" and q chorus of dog music
Around long table sat adozen or so hun
tiers rapidly making away with a steamng-
hot supper of ham and eggs, potatoes, bread
and butter. and coffee. Guns wero in every
corner, and various articles Of apparel were
drying over a roaring wood fire. The re-
porter was quickly doing his best to lot no
palatable morsel ESCAPE. Then followed a
social smoke, the loading of shells, the final
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 the cry wake up; breakfasts
ready" A hasty toilet was made, and soon
the table was again full of hungry men stow
ing away the greltest quantity of hot break
fast in the shortest possible time. Singly
and in groups the eaters rose and donael
their heavy outer garments, grasped gun
and shell-case, and started for tho boat
house on the lake shore The light, flat-bot-
toned hunting skifs were filed with clean,
dry hay, the decoys piled into the stern ani
a race begun for the most desirable "blinds'
Dat in the lake the bitter northeast wind
was blowing gale. AMI the waves were
running high, making a watchful eye and a
strong arm a necessity. The day was just
breaking, and the cold, gray sky. covered
with low-hangipg clouds, and the long
stretch Of foam-cappei waves and desola.s
marsh made a dismal picture indeed. Early
as it was, the ducks were awake and vigil
liant. As the boats crept slowly over tle
lake fock after flock arose and circlcd here
and there
THE HUNTERS "BLIND.n
After a long and laborious row across the
stormy lake the other shore AMI smooth
water were reached, and the reporter drew
up at his blind The "blindn is supposed
to blind the ducks to the hunters presence,
and is cover of brush and hay, under
which the boat is drawn Soon the beat
was hidden behind the cover, the brush and
hay disposed to the best advantage, and the
flock of wooden, gaily-paintol decoy ducks
spread in an inviting group in front of the
blind. Then the shell box is conveniently
placed ready to hand, and the hunter cock
ing his gun, lies fat in his boat ready for
the fray. A puff OF smoke rise from a
blind down the lake; the report comes
slowly up against the wind. 1t is the first
shot Of the day and the sport has begun "A
sharp and steady gaze in the direction of the
shot shows three flying objects skimming
along the water, coming with the rapidity
Of 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 latel
Tie hunter rises on one knee and takes
quick aims, fires. and two of the three ducks
fall with splash into the water
FUN ALLYN.
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 go drifting off before the wind
and the hunter must get them later if he
can. The ducks come singly, in pairs, and
now and then in flocks. Sometimes it is two
with one barrel, sometimes it is a clean miss
with both barrels, AMI now and then lucky
shot at flock will bring down three or
four. For half an hour it is load and fire
almost as fast as the breech-loader can be
Then comes a lull A careful
look around the horizon shows no birds in
light. 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
lark water and making them an easy object
% see Then he rows back to his blind and
with glance of satisfaction counts up thir-
y-five victims of the slaughter.
PURSUIT OF THE WOUNDED.
And so it goes. Not seldom the duel, fails
n the water merely winged, and does not
come up. There can be seen about an inch
Il
hi, side of the little black object and the
lead bird. killed by the conclusion of the
hot on the water, comes to the surface and
aoatS breast I'm. When the reporter gels
oacs 10 the house he will hear some new
,and telling about how he killed a duck
dead as a door-naii, and it went right to
he Bottom and never came UP. So would
he dusk he has lust killed have done had he
lot seen the bill Stuck out lust to the breath
ing holes. and silently and imperceptibly
,lidinp ont into the lake. AGAIN a WINGED
luck comes down lust out of gunshot, and
,tarts ike a propeller for the center of the
AXE Should the bird be pursued, it will
be simply waste of labor. time, and ia
tience He can swim as fast as a boat can
be rowed. be can dive like fish and double
ne ~, s..t;. N ',,a,.