The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-20
copyright, 1871


These are the days in which any early
riser from the New England coast to
the faraway prairies of Minnesota and
the Dakotas. may glance skyward with
the reasonable certainty of seeing a
wedge shaped squad of moving BIRDS
and catch the faint "Hionk, honk OF
the leaders AZ the flock passes swiftly
along at high altitude in the gray OF
the early dawn, for the Wild goose Is
now upon his migratory flight from the
far northern coasts of Labrador ana
Baffin land TO the milder regions or the
south. stopping for food and rest along
Tho bavs and inlets Of the seaboard and
wherever inland waters and marsh
lands are TO his liking. Likewise these
same waters are now the FEEDING
grounds of thousands upon thousands OF
duck. of which the black, redhead, teal.
hIuebill and widgeon are the varieties
most largely represented. with mere
and there a flock of mallards or of the
now comparatively rare and deliciously
favored canvasback. Upon almost ev-
erv stretch OF sheltered water and
along the marsh shores OF the Allan
tic coast from Newfoundland south
ward the birds are now TO be seen in
countless numbers, circling about in
unrest and suspicion, as the result
doubtless of alarming experiences at
the hands of gunners farther up the
coast. or bobbing about upon the
waves. many gunshots beyond the
nearest observer With the month of
October the open season began, and
each morning henceforth until IL closes
the gun of the sportsman will work
havoc among the feathered tourists.
IL has been said. and truly, that when
n man has become an experienced and
enthusiastic duck shooter he is asports-
man through and through, for unless 1t
be the rigors and exposures of big
game hunting trip through the Rockies
or the wilds OF Alaska there are no
conditions~so we'll calculated to test the
game qualities or cool the ardor of a
novice as duck shooting. November
and the first half of December are ad-
mittedly the best time for the sport.
At that time the birds are in the full
of their migratory flight and eager for
food at each resting place.
The seasoned duck shooter turns out
before dawn, from $3.50 to 4:50 o'clock.
Breakfast is partaken OF. and consists,
at the average sportsmen's clubhouse.
Of corn bread. bacon and eggs, with CO.
pious fibations of strong, hot coffee
Peajackets and hunting coats are then
buttoned TO the chin, storm caps are
pulled well down over the ears and
neck--for the crisp air of a November
morning. sharpened by the stiff winds
t.. - L In
that bites--gloves. two sizes too large,
so as 10 insure free finger action. are
pulled on, and. taking his guns from the
rack the hunter steps out into the keen
morning air, ready for his days sport.
As to the methods OF getting within
gunshot of the birds there are many in
vogue. In all cases. of course. decoys
are used. These are anchored with life
Mke effect from 20 TO 80 yards from the
ooat or blind. and the patience and skin
of the hunter in initiating the call of
the brakes are brought into play. Where
the formation OF the shore will permit,
stationary blinds. located upon the ex-
treme points OF marsh land promonto-
ries are used. Here. seated upon and
concealed by seaweed and the sur
rounding grasses. the hunter keeps a
sharp lookout over the heads OF his de-
coys for the fiocks that are sure to be-
gin their search for food 80 soon as the
horizon begins TO take ON the crimson
and gold OF the rising sun. Again. float
1ng blinds or "sncakboats" are used.
These consist OF punt" or fat bot
toned craft, capable of holding two or
three gunners and a retriever. so COW
cred with marsh grasses as 20 conceal
the occupants and yet leave them am
pie opportunity for observation. Where
both the floating and stationary blinds
are used, the sport in good duck shoot
ing waters is generally fast enough "a
suit the oldest gunner. FOR the moving
boats from half a mile 10 a mile apart
keep the birds well stirred up. affordinc
their occupants plenty OF sport. while
granting also prime opportunities 20 the
men along shore.
In Maryland waters and along the
shorey~of Albemarle. Pamlico and Cur
rituck sounds the sink box" Is large
ly I'm use. This contrivancc. the invcn-
tion OF an old Chesapeake bay hunter
Is simply a platform OF planks. IL feet
long by in width, having a water
tight box large enough 10 accommo.
dale the body Of a man i'm reclining
position fitted into its center. The
edges OF the box are flush with the plat
form, 80 that the form OF the occupant
is entirely concealed from view. Th,
box is fowed 10 the desired location Dy
an attendant the decoys placed about
II. and the waiting sportsman begin.
his vigil This he does by assuming
reclining position AMI exposing but on,
eye. 80 to speak. over the edge OF hi,