The morning call., 1893-12-10

aud where thousands had congregated a
few weeks ago only few stragglers were
seen by hunters who could not resist the
temptation of an outing in the marshes al
least one day in the week.
Latest reports from Sears Point. in the
Soroma marshes, are very gratifying.
A letter received by the sporting editor
yesterday stated that anvasback. widgeon
and teal principally have returned in large
nu befs, and that the promise of good
shooting is first class on the advent 0f the
first heavy windstorm.
At present the birds remain well out in
the bay, and having learned trick or two
since the season opened, they positively
refuse to be tempted by either decoys OF
gran-stocked ponds, or to visit the marshes
until after dark. The only chance for
hunters during the present spell of Cali
fornia's glorious weather to bring down q
ood bag is to take favorable POSITION on
the marshes at daybreak and pick off
singles and doubles during the early fight
of the birds from the feeding grounds t0
the bay, at which latter place they remain
huddled up like so many decOvs until the
blanket of darkness insures them a safe
journey to their happy pudding grounds.
If there is anything really annoying to
dnck-hunter it is to hear the quackiDg OF
birds and the whstling sounds that ema-
nate from their wings as they fiv over his
head within good gunshot range under the
cover Of night, and more particularly Is
this the case if he is minus feather after
d hard days sculling.
Duck-shooting under adverse circum-
| stances is not by any means an enjoyable
sport, yet there are hundreds of local
hunters who meet with disappointments
d.rrt flnac h1rx fz-
| better luck on their next trip. The aver
age bag OF the Sunday hunter, who works
like Trojan during the few hours that be
has to enjoy himself on the marshes, is
/ about six birds.
Fifteen years ago. when the southern
country was not marked by irrgatine
bitches and water fumes, myriads oil
ducks and geese congrrgated on the
marshes that lie either north or south ol
/ this city. The railroads, which have since
| then been constructed, and which DOW
run through the happy shooting grounds
many old residents of this city and Oak.
land, have added much to the destruction
OF once great pastime. yet the paramount
| trouble which has been the means OF de-
creasing the duck gatherings on the
marshes near home is the annual in
crease Of water lakes and ponds formed or
the great southern plains which lie be-
tween Merced and Bakersfield.
This should be An excalIent time fol
quaiI-hunting. The weather is exactly
suita BILE for upland shOoting, and as the
birds are fond of a sunbath in the oper
country after the heavy cover mas beeom,
| well soaked with ciouded tears, there
should be good returns from sportsmer
who delight in an invigorating tramp owe
mountains high.
English snipe are generally supposed Il
be the hardest birds to shoot. They MAJ
| appear pulling TO the novice, and es
/ pecially if they be at all wild PuttiDl
the loDgblls down as being the most diff
cult birds to hit is decidedly an antiquaIeC
idea, which was completely knocked In tn,
head when California quail were first dis
covered. The little quail IF this State i
more than match for any bird that file
when 1t comes to question OF wing-sho0t
| ing.
| Englishmen who considered the snipe
the king Of puzzlers have taken off their
hats with all due respect to California;
champion game bird. after they had
days shooting on the ranges.
Scott. one of the leading gunmakers o.
| England, visited this city about five years
ago. He heard many statements concern
Ing our valley quail, all of which he con
signed, so to speak, to his wastebasket a.
being unworthy of notice. When Quai
were mentioned, he Immediately put tn,
snipe and woodcock to the front as beiDi
hard to beat. Enough to say tina
| Mr. Scott had a go at quail. Fl,
kept an inventory OF the shot
ne had made, aid as result o
four hours shooting he produced eighteeI
pros and eighty-three empty cartridges
Previous 10 mis- departure for home he wa
good enough to acknowledge that of al
game DlrdS the California quail was en-