The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-09-05
Big Bags of ReedieS and
the SportSmen Who
Have Made Them.
VETERAN WILLIAM WAGNER
With Cecil Hufty He Makes the Sea
sons Best Record, Eighteen Dozen.
George Barr Alone Secures Big Bag.
Waiting for High Tide.

been known TO be IN such good condl-
ton at the beginning of the shooting
season as at present and the epicure
who reIishes the toothsome marsh bird
has been altogether satisfied.
The birds are not so plentiful now as
had been expected before the opening Of
the season. however. and those who were
out since Monday have not been alto
gether satisfied with their luck The
bombardment given the winged creatures
on the openin~ day evidently frightened
them away, and the branches OF the
Eastern Branch must be pushed over
thoroughly in order to get a good bag.
On the Patuxent, however, there is
plenty Of sport for the gunner, and the
long stretch of marshes for miles on
either side Of Upper Marlboro are alive
with game
The Seasons Best Bag.
William Wagner, the veteran shot, and
Cecil Hufty. who went out with him on
Tuesday probably have the record for
this vie4nity. having bagged eighteen
dozen and three reed birds. eleven orto-
ian and one snipe. They covered the
Eastern Branch thoroughly. and we're
out good part of the day During the
morning they shot up from the navy yard
bridge TO Benning, and after having
lunch there went back slowly over the
course, touchfn~ along the edge of the
marshes-
On the opening day the Smith brothers
James and Thomas. bagged sixteen dozen
Teedles, while George Barr probably
holdE the record as a lone shooter. hav-
ing turned up after shooting for a part
OF the day with eleven dozen birds Du-
rant. Church and FouIke secured eigh-
teen dozen on the first day. but they
have not'been 50 successful since.
Bird Stories Uncorroborated.
OF course there are any number of
reports of big bags. but such stories 20
as do fish stories, and those who know
place no erederee in the stories unless
the parties show up with the goods. The
Shelton brothers, it is known. were very
successful. and William Steele has also
kept up his record as an expert with
the gun Others who have made good
bags are Harry Utz, Bill Bailey. John
Arth, Sam O'Brien and Butler. These.
with any number of others from CAPITOL
Hill and other sections Of the city. have
shot over the Eastern Branch with
much Success
So far there have been no big tides.
and the guHners are awaiting a stiff
east wind so that the marshes will be
thoroughly flooded On account Of the
rank growth Of wild oats and sour
grass ii has been impossible 10 force
z way through the marshes. and the
reed birds, which keep themselves in
the center of the marshes continue 10
grow fat out OF dangers way Some
OF the sportsmen. however are taking
10 wading through the marshes at high
tide, but this is rather q tiresome task
A Big Tide Wanted.
With a good tide there will be some
bags Of .orto9aD brought in. as it is only
by running goiose upon these birds that
they can be frightened from their fast
nesses. A big tide VIII raise them from
the marshes and many will be taken in
their fight. DR.. Petroia- has probably
the record for ortolans. having secured
twenty-eight on one tide. while Ralpb
Nutring and Stansbury killed twenty
FIVE OF the little fellows a day or two
ago.. when they also bagged eight dozen
Teedies and one duck
There are not many pot hunters out
this year, although the number Of ne
grces and small boys who frequent the
marshes Keep t1e gunnerS near their
boats Some Of these people do not
hesitate to relieve gunner of bis game
should he 90 too far away from his
sllh, and they also help themselves to
his ammunition provided It Ats their
guns
At Four-Mile Run.
Many AIexandrians have been enjoy
ing the sport at Four Mile Run, and
some Of them also have been success
fuI IN the marshes near The Nirgiz,ia