The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-03

Wild turkeys are stiil plentiful In the
mountains OF Arkansas, but they are not
so easy 10 bag as they were 20 years ago.
The wild turkey Is bird that civiliza-
slon has educated 10 realizing sense OF
she danger It encounters in 1.-The man
with the gun" and Il no longer walks up
10 be slaughtered as Of yore.
Turkey shooting In April in the Arkan-
sss mountains is sport iit for kings.
The difficulty OF getting within gun shot
of an old gobbler adds zest 10 the puf-
suit, and being able 10 hear him gobble
adds thousand fold go its enjoyment
Every sportsman knows how gobblers are
called up by initiating the yelping OF the
hen-turkey. but few are aware how many
methods may be used in calling.
The most successful callers call with
The mouth. and without the aid OF a
hone. leaf or other substance. Some
hunters use leaf placed between the
thumbs and still others drive small nail
through the bottom of a little wooden
box, like an old-fashioned wooden pill
box. and by scratching the gun barrel
with il they can produce a fairly good
imitation.
But The best callers use the mouth and
hand unsided and | have noticed that
they are generally men who have grown
up In the woods with the turkeys. learned
10 cali when they were youngsters. and
have called and hunted turkeys ever
since. The turkey-calls one sometimes
sees advertised find little favor with
these old-timers.
Having picked out his shooting ground
IN the Arkansas mountains. the hunter
should fnd a convenient camping spot
right Ia the heart Of Il, If possible This
done he shotld make little prospecting
tour and take notice of the lay OF the
land.
lie shonld see how the main ridge runs.
and note what spurs or points as the ma
lives say. that lead from IL are promis-
ing. Wood is always convenient, and
generally the pine knots are abundant.
Supper over. the turkey-hunter consigns !
himself 10 sheep to be ready for an early
SKIRT.
TURKEYS AT DAYBREAK. |
Two hours before daybreak he gets up |
and cooks his breakfast, for he should be |
where the turkeys are feeding before the |
gray of dawn An hour or so before day
light ne slowly and quietly picks his way /
10 a carefully selected spot high up on |
the main ridge. for the game will work
toward the high ground. and the hunter
must be where he can hear AS distinctly
as possible.
Soon bird calls and IN few moments
the bird chorus commences, the loud
clear note of the cardinal bird dominat-
Ing the others. You almost forget TO I
listen for turkeys, II is so pleasant to
hear the birds. Suddenly there comes |
upon your ear at last the note you have !
been longing for-the rattling roar of an |
old gobler, about a quarter OF a mile |
away.
lmpauently you await It's repetition 10 |
ascertain the direction OF his morning |
promenade. Carefully you make for
favorable position on the highest avail
able ground. and seat yourself In front
, big pine.
1t is strange that turkey will walk
% within 25 yards OF a man sitting on the
bare ground in front OF a tree without
seeing him. while a man could scarcely
'how a anger from behind the same tree
without being detected by "A turkey at a
lundred yards dstance.and could hardly
lope To hiue behind log or in "A brushy
reetop without being discovered.
The clearer the ground the better. so
ong as the shooter remains perfectly
but the bat Of an eyelid"
viii betray him. You art barely seated
when the turkey gobbles again. and 10
Our joy he Is somewhat nearer. You
'enture low and timid yelp 10 quicken |
lis fotsteps Strange 20 say. the cal is |
lot answered. and 20minutes later, To your
intense disgust, YOU hear him gobble half
mile away
soon after YOU hear another turkey.
'ut fail to crtice him. likewise and .
'clock fnds YOU on your way to camp.
ubdued and turkeyless. En-rOute. meet
ng nn old resident " the mountains. you
SIX him IL there are many turkeys He 1
eJoins.
WILL NOT ANSWER TO CALLS"
YEP: there's a right smart a. turkeys
u these ere woods but you can't call
.c, .ssr~rs.