New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-25
BDNTIyG TURKEYS on THE Blue RIDGE
THE FIRST SNOWFALL A SIGNAL FOR THE
sPoRT-AN UNFORTUNATE BATTLE
FOR TWO "GOBBLERS."

Wildwood Va Dec. II Special. Cunning parties
have been numerous through the SHENANDOAH Naney
this fall, and, while the bag has not always peeh
heavy, good sport has been the general rue IAe
dry spell Of The last summer however, was not
conducive 10 good cover for game, and the gunners
gradually abandoned the stubble fields ior Tue
thlckets woods, and mountains, where the quail
rabbits and phcssants generally found the cover.
without the protection Of which they would soon be
exerminated. Little or rain fell In the Val!ey
from July ] 70 November 1, and the farmers ana
the Inhabitants Of the little villages found Tho
scarcity Of fresh water material drawpach'
Springs dried up and wells became barren, ana the
game birds naturally migrated 10 the more ierthe
fields and woods.
Rain and snow however, have been plentfui
during the last few weeks, the dogs have again
teen able 10 take the scent and good sport Is the
natural result. Visiting sportsmen, WHO get among
the quail Of this district, are pleasantly astonshed
at the remarkable plumpncss and size OF the BIRDS
Those accustomed TO feas,ins upon the miserable
little dried up quail served al game dinners III
New York as quail thought that the Virginia ba;us
which they have been bringing down with uelr
shotguns must have been bird Of another feather.
They give q true sportsman a day Of dcNehrul
shooting. and when served upon the table they
furnish food ct for the gods.
The big gray squirrels have not been so plentiful
this year. and the pesky little red squirrel, the
natural enemy of IT'S larger and more paatabe
cousin IS gradually but surely eNterminatng the
gray squirrel. Last year Pop" Sprint. when he
went down 10 the river to catch the festive and
ga,ney black bass always took his gun along. When
lie wcaried Of pulling the dusky beauties from the
waters, he would rest his oars, so 70 speak, ana
spend an hour bringing down gray squirrels as they
darted among the white birch which grow in pro
fusion along the banks. The original inhabitant OF
the valley the Indian, called the white birch The
Lady OF the Woods" Citing and appropriate appella-
ton "Pop,, however, longer takes his trusty
muzy,eIooder with him. and now contents himself
with the black bass There are plenty Of them and
he is satisfied.
Squire Garvin has reached the age OF discretion
when game OF this species no longer interests him.
lie sticks close his mill, grinding out virgin horr
until the heavens darken and the n.pping air be-
tokens the coming snow storm. Like many hardy
virgnians, he prldes himself upon his weather lore
and he seldom makes a mistake The trnstv gun,
which has done service for years, Is brought out
from It's hiding place ard Is quickly polished for tie
coming slaughter. Shells loaded with four drains
O! powder and an ounce and ON eighth OF b. Is. shot,
and he is ready for his annual trip to the Blue
Ridge after turkey. As the snow begin 10
fall the party is arranged, and the start IS made for
tho hills lust back o. the Shenandoah River where
the turkey di,poris itself this time OF the
snow was failing gently the other afternoon when
native from the river rode into town, ana
the story he told set Mlbrock 10 talking, and
the GOOD news spread to Boyce. the little town
mile or more up the turnpike The haray
mountaipeer had two gigantic gobblcrs swung over
his saddle TO corroborate what he said. He had left
his house for the woods before daylight that morning,
and he concluded to take his gun with him as well
40 his axe.
The laurel bushes looked prett!er or greener
In that crisp morning air and the pines gave out an
odor srrccably fresh and pleasant. Near Ashoys
Gap. which IS close by the peak known rs Blue
Bah, the woodman heard great commouoh ana hc
concluded TO stop and investigate. Dropping IN"
axe he CRASHED his shotgun and crept forward 10
the edge OF a small favine. Pcehng cautiously ever
the edge, he beheld a sight which set his blood
tnyilng merrlly. Less than forty yards away two
great turkey gobblcrs engaged In mortal com
Vat. The noise WAS terrific and feathers New In