The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-26
WILD DUCKS IN OREGON.
Curious Way the Planters Have of
Batting Them.
From the Portland Oregonian.

From the Portland Oregonfan.
The carp having in many places de-
stroyed the wapatoes, widgeon weed, and
other vegetable growths on which the
wild ducks visiting this region were wont
to feed and fatten, sportsmen are
obliged to furnish something in the way
of food which will induce the ducks to
visit these lakes 1t has been mentioned
several times that parties who brought
home big bags of ducks were feeding >
that is, were scattering wheat in the
shoaler parts of these lakes for the ducks
to feed on. Few probably have any idea
to what an extent and in what system
attic manner this is carried out in some
places. 1t must be borne in mind that the
object is to feed the ducks and not the
carp, which are also fond of wheat, and
of which there are now enough in the
ponds, sloughs and lakes along the Co
lumba to eat up ship-load of wheat in
a short time. Some of these fish have
already attained a weight of over twenty
pounds, and have the appetite and ca
In one lake down the river, where there
are arrangements for keeping the water
at a desirabl level all the time wooden
troughs are placed out in favorable posi-
fastened to stakes driven in the mud, so
that they are just below the surface and
keep filled with water, while the carp
cannot reach over into them, having no
necks to speak of. A number of these
troughs are ranged along each side of
the shores, and are kept supplied with
wheat When the owners of the lake go
down to shoot they find ducks of all
kinds ranged alongside these trOughS feed
ing like fowls in a barnyard. They scare
the ducks out as usual in order to shoot
them as they come lying back two or
three or half a dozen at a time. AS soon
as the ducks are gone the hunters pro-
coed to put out their decoyS. These are
no wooden or tin, or inflated decoys, but
genuine live mallards, and a whole flock
of them at that. The brakes are an
chored to stakes under water by a sort
of harness, which goes over their rumps
and under their wings, and is fastened be-
low their chinS with button. This en-
ables the brakes to sail around and about
and to flap their wings and squawk all
they like. There are a number of ducks
which belong to the brakes, and will not
leave, but swim around them. This fleet
of live decoys is placed midway where the
wild ducks feed, and wheat is put around
them and they begin feeding. Then the
hunters get into their blinds among the
tules on each side of the lake, which is
not wide at this point, and the ducks driv-
en- out begin coming back after their
breakfasts. They know the good soaked
wheat is there in the troughs, and they
see the live decoys busy feeding and hear
them Cabling, and there Is one old duck
among them which is daisy and sets
up a. great quacking whenever a duck
flying comes in sight, so even the most
everything is lovely, and down they sail,
and bang goes a gun loaded with smoke
less powder, and the drama of life is
played out for that duck or for half a
dozen, if so many come in.
Then the rest of the ducks keep coming
in, and the shooting goes on, and finally
a big bag is made and the days sport is
over.