The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-22
HUxz1xa GEESE IN CALIFORNIA.
Where DR.. seward webb's. Party Bageea
273 Birds In Two Days.

from The 81. louis Globe. Democrat.
BAKEHsVILLE, CAL, Nov. S.-Huntingw wild
geese on the plains and along the Missouri and
Mississippi River bottom lands is great sport.
but there arc scores of hunters in Southern
California, and especially in the San JOAQUIN
Valley who say that nowhere else in the United
States are there better geese and duck pre-.
serves than in this region. Out here ii is a
sport replete with incident. and a recreation
that one must ex 9ericnce to appreciate.
In tn" months OF October and November there
are scores of fiocks of wild geese. numbering
1000 and 5000 each, that pass over this sec
tior. in their migration from British America
to the Mexican and Central American lagoons.
On some days at this season there are to be
seen IN me little coyes and marslly bays that
sands OF Wild geese, sQuawking. diving. and
"honk- honking' on the surface OF the water.
They feed upon the wheat and barley left on
the ground by the careless threshers in the
great grain fields OF that region. Hundreds
of men and boys. who can Shoot, turn out an
nually at this season to have a day or two Of
sport In shooting wild game. There have been
days when as many as a thousand wild geese
and it is estimated that there have Keen many
days when several thousands of the birds have
ern California. Still there Is no diminntion
in the number OF the geese. and each year the
Hooks are Just rs frequent and as large.
Al about the middle of October each year
the professional goose hunter OF California
fixes IA station among the rank grasses end
tules about the shores OF tho marshy bays.
and especially the muddy alkali lakes. in prep.
aration for the coming of the migrating birds
from the North. AS surely as the last of DC
tober rolls around the birds begin to arrive, and
the hunter starts upon his campaign OF shoot
ing. there is no game quite SO wary as the
thence, some exposure and unusual knowlc ige OF
the habits Of the birds 10 be able 10 got them in
great quantities to supply the markets. When
the hunter considers that he is mitch bigger
than the goose, aid thar the range of vision Of
this tireless navigator Of The air is greatly en-
HANGED from his exalted position among the
clouds. and that the game he seeks is always
on the alert for danger, he will then al
preciate the necessity Of lying very low when
he seeks tn get within gunsliot of wild geese.
They cannot be fooled like ducks. They are en-
tirely devoid Of curiosity, and take many things
pecially If The things look like. men. When
migrating the goose seldom aliglts in tho wa
ter in the daytime. although it keeps close TO
mos: of Its light. When it settles for n nights
rest 1t generally seeks open water, but is up at
and away.
The best locality in southern California To
bag 10 or 100 wild geese u dav by a 9an who
makes, a business of hunting is about tho al
of mud in Kern county. where over 1O.Ooo
acres Of wheat fields lie adjacent. When the
day Is misty and the clouds some low down to-
ward the earth Is considered by experienced
10 be The best time 10 get shots that
tell, for the geese will not attempt to make
long flights unless the lookout can see tn" sur
perfectly. and thnsthey are compelled
to n.y. low or stop until the clouds raise or roll
ther, they will often alight upon gravel aud
sard. bars. where no willows. or vegetation OF
any Kind grow. Sometimes they drop down in
waiting moments in filling up.
The hunter for wild geese In Kern county. or
into the sport for n day or twr. or a week or
two. at a time, must locate himself on a mud
s,red il ' nf lake wo an I RCnr or two iSn' ~ he first
must take his craft away again after he assists
in the PREPARATIONS for the mornings shoot. A
shovel will be handy 10 make a slight dcpres-
and Z feet long. Throw nm old quilt in the
bottom, SO that when you lie down You will not
piece of canvas AZ near the color of the sand or
gravel as possible. This canvas should be
II possible. have about half n dozen tame geese
as dark In color AS can be got. These should
be tied to stakes at about thirty, yards distaAce
gander among these decoys. A3a-calibre Win
chester and q good shotgun VIII both comeJnto
drachms Of powder and All ounce and quarter
OF No; . shot. With this paraDhernalIa all In
your blind. and your decoys securely fastened
can come. as soon ~ it likes. and If geese
only come with 1t. you are ready for Them.
Take your seat In The blind 30 you can COM
the geese are migrating. Have the canvas
spread over your foet and legs, and as soon as
drop on your y Back. pulling over Your head
the canvas bayinv lookout holes In, 1t; then
watch and wait. Your game must be where
you can get them easily. The reese will never
pass the dccoys without first coming down and
taking q look at them, unless frightened by
something. When your game comes close
throw the canvas aside. get mp quick. and
give II TO thea inst as they swerve from your
Sometimes you will get In two shots
arising at all, The decoys are not a
but they are a great help. Even
artificial. ones are much better than none at
All; In clear weather you may take II rest from
! a.. VI. until nuar shutdown, or turn your at
.tention, To duck shooting. but on cloudy, driz-
lling days have your rubber coat on and re-
main on watch. The welcome ''honk" of the
pld %nauders viii greet you at intervals from
iaylignt-until dark.
When DR.. William Seward Webb and the
Vanderbilt party were in California in their
special train in November, 1901, four of the
gentlemen in the party, Including Dir. Webb.
a day or two in wild-gooss hunting in
county, They, brought back 70 their
as II result of their hunt. Pa honker and
Drant geese. II have hunted for years in near
every State and Territory in America. and
the writer at the time, land such shooting /
nave never seen elsewhere. Out where we
nave been hunting to-day there are literally
10 900 wild geese of several varieties.
would hardly Fave believed such opportunities
p hunt were offered to man II l had not ssAp