The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-09-05
CHICKENS ARE RIPE.
In North Dakota NfmrOds Are Clean
Ing Their Guns and Training Their

crop Is nearly ripe" smilingly remarked
George Duis of Grand Forks, recently,
in response to an inquiry.
BY many 1t was feared that the heavy
rains and severe storms of last spring
would result in killing off of many Of
the young birds; but, according to all
reports which have been received, there
will be no reduction in the supply of
birds. On the contrary, there is every
indication that they will be far more
plentiful than for many years past.
The severe storm of last March, the
blizzard which caused such a loss of
stock, is known to have resulted disas-
trously to large numbers of prairie
chickens, wild ducks and wild geese.
At one place west of Grand Forks, after
the storm had passed, a flock of about
thirty wild geese, which had come north
with the carly warm weather, were dis
covered in the lee of haystack frozen
to death. This is but one instance OF
numerous cases of this kind which were
reported at the time.
Mr.. Duis, in speaking of the "crop"
of prairie chickens and other wild game,
expressed himself SfOlloWS:
"There are number of sportsmen in
the state who are beginning to get nerv-
Gus as the chicken season approaches.
Sept. 1 comes on Monday, this year, and
there are number of our enthusiastic
shooters who will probably start for
the shooting grounds Sunday evening,
o. a little after church time, so as to be
on the grounds early Monday morning.
This, in all probability, will be one Of
the best chicken seasons North Dakota
h .;ci0 IN
our recent statute making the opening
date Sept. l, instead of Aug. 20, has ma
terially helped to incleas the prairie
chicken crop. The birds, being so much
stronger on Sept. l than at the former
early date, has made shooting a little
more difficult, and, consequently, birds
more numerous. The wet weather this
spring, instead Of being detrimental 20
the chicken crop. has been beneficial,
Tor the reason that the birds all nested
on high ground.
THE numerous spOrtsmen who will
make an early start on Sept are pro-
vided with some of the best dogs in
North Dakota. Several of these dogs
are now in the hands of trainers at CT
near the field trial grounds, and there is
no reason to doubt but that some of the
chicken dogs will carry off some of the
field trial prizes, competition fer which
will occur in a few days in South Dako-
ia and Minnesota. One of the most
promising of these dogs is owned by
Thomas Griffiths.
LAS Grand Forks has a number of
good target shots. when it comes to
chicken sh ooting they can easily hold
their own. as many of the best game
shots don't shoot at targets extensively.
1t seems that the prairie chickens have
been getting wiser in proportion to the
improvements in dogs and guns. Some
years ago, as old sportmen will renlen-
Der, when a covey of chickens was
flushed they would light in a very short
distance, never to exceed a quarter of a
mile. Now, when covey is flushed,
they are are very apt to get out Of sight
and it is hard matter to mark down
the spot where they alight; conse-
quently, the party who is shooting will
| only get one chance at the flock. AS a
rule, another popularity is, that the
| chickens remain in the flax fields a great
| deal of the time, and when they are
flushed they promptly head for some
large flax field, knowing that it is i'm
possible for a dog to work successfully
in a field of this grain.
From all sources of information,
young chickens are now about two
thirds grown, and they will practically
be full-grown by Sept. 1. 1t seems that
some of the best chicken ground in the
state is down on the Cheyenne river, in
Nelson county. There is also some ex-
ceptionally good ground in Ramsey and
Cavalier counties, and the birds are this
year quite numerous all over Grand
Forks county, and have been sen with
in mile of that city recently.
'"The North Dakota duck crop, as we'll
as the flax and wheat crops, is especial
ly promising. There have, perhaps,
more ducks nested in North Dakota
this year than for some years past, on
account of the lateness Of the spring.
which kept the birds here longer, and
they selected their nesting places in
this state. Old duck-shooters say that
we have more of the better species of
ducks, such as the canvas-back red
head and mallard, and consequently,
the early duck-shooting will be the very
best shooting, as it will include the
birds that usually do not appear until
the late flights. In the immediate vi
tie duck-shooting, and it is necessary
for those who wish to enjoy this de-
lightful sport to go as far west as La
kota, at least; but between Lakota and
Minot there are many fine duck passes
lakes and sloughs, where these passes
are extremely numerous.
The closed season on ducks and prai-
RE chickens opens on the same date,
Sept. l. and in many sections of the
state both will be hunted, as the young
ducks are almost full-grown now, and
will be able to look out for No. on the
opening day.
I'm some. sections there is consider
able illegal shooting at this time, and it
would be in order for our state and dep-
lily game wardens to keep strict watch.
and make a few examples, and threoy
give all an equal show on the opening
date
Killed by Trousers.