Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17
TURKEY AND WILDCAT
AFFORD AMUSEMENT FOR HUNT
ERs IN OLD FAUQUIER.
Rattlesnake Mountain an Ideal Place
for All Lovers Of Genuine
Sport.

he fttltieS1idhe ilUulildillS, al the looS
| of which 1 have my home, has never been
better supplied than now with wild tur-
keys, and that is saying great deal. as
| Washington and Baltimore hunters will tes-
| tify,' said Mr.. Cary Amber of upper Fau-
quier county, Va, brother of the late DR..
James NJ Amber, who persisted in the Ill
fated Jeanette expedition in the arctic seas
some years ago. at the Metropolitan.
You should know, to begin with. that
the Rattlesnake Is spur Of the Blue Ridge,
| and is about three miles in length, its trend
being north and south. The mountain has
been for generations famous for the num-
Der and size of wild turkeys that roam over
it, and l may incidentally remark that no
section of Virginia is better supplied with
game birds. wildcats that few days dare
tackle, and rattlers that make ones flesh
creep. If you do not believe what l say.
spend a few days in the Rattlesnake,
goodly portion of which, am sorry to say,
is my property.
Gorge Themselves on Grain.
TT so happens that my corn lands lie
mainly along the western base Of the noun
tain, and as we shuck corn during all fair
fall and winter days in the field, and fire.
Quently leave the piles Of grain on the
ground over night, the wild turkeys flock
from the mountain into the fields and
gorge themselves. Inc corn lauQS Oh OtucT
farmers which lie along the mountain
slopes subject to the same kind Of dep
relations. The result of all this high feed
ing is that the Rattlesnake turkey Is king
of all his tribe that roam the Virginia hills.
THE turkeys feed twice a day on the
grain in the fall and winter season, and
frequently in the summer months hen
may be with her numerous brood
searching for food along the foothills Of the
mountain. On such occasions when fright
ened by the approach of man, the mother
takes wing and the little ones hide in the
high blue grass. When all danger Is past
the mother gives peculiar cry and the
young turks hop up and go to her. No one
in our section thinks of disturbing
mother with her young.
Sight Worth Seeing.
| "The wild turkey usually seeks grain at
the first peep of day, and between the hours
of and 5 pm. in the fall and winter. It
is sight worth witnessing to watch at
safe distance the turkeys flock down from
the mountain side, each drove headed by
the patriarch of the flock, an old gobbler,
whose cunning as leader is hard to sur
pass. AS he pilots the way in measured
strides he will at brief intervals halt, pass
ing the word around as he does So The
drove instantly obeys Then he listens,
craning his telescope neck in every direc-
ton.
IF satisfied that 1t is safe to go ahead.
he gives the signal and on they march. If
he scents danger the flock takes cover; If
closely approached it takes wing, and If you
are prepared to shoot, then is your chance.
Comparatively little hunting Is done by the
natives, as nearly every farmer raises do
mestic turkeys. Occasionally in summer
one will run across a turkeys nest in the
mountain and hatch out the eggs. 1t is an
ungrateful task. for as soon as the young
are old enough to care for themselves they
wander off and it is probably the last you
will see of them.
Hunting Wildcats.
During winter nights when the noun
taineers desire to have sport they go hunt
ing wildcats. 1t is easier to bait than to
shoot them. First, strong cage is made
Of the best seasoned hickory, a live or
freshly killed rabbit is secured in the cage
and the latter placed near wildcats den
No ordinary cage will hold a well-grown
wild tomcat He is about the fiercest
thing that wears hair when aroused, and
when In action his claws are like buzz saws
while his long teeth go to the spot at
every bite.
wildcat batting is popular amusement
among mountain men. The cat once cap
tured, q circular cage is constructed OF
strong wire, the circumference being about
ten feet Into 1t is placed the cat, and If
any man owns a dog that can best him he
is asked to put up his money, or It's equiva-
lent and bring on the canine. Corn wheat
flour and bacon pass current among these
duced. Two mains have thus far been held
this season, and each time the cat has been
the victor.
Dogs Are Leary.
ct will venture the statement that not
one dog in ten thousand can whip a we'll
grown wild tomcat. Dick De Butts, a.
neighbor, once did own a part bull and
mastiff that was great on wildcats, but one
day he went, like the pitcher to the well,
once too often against a wild tomcat and
never returned, for at the first onset the
cat rolled on its back, just where he want
ed to be, and before o.u Tige could sidestep
the cat ripped him wide open from breast
to stern. The trained dog grips the cat just
back of his foresoulders and brushes his
back of his foreshoulders and brushes his
The dog must force the fighting, and 1t
takes a knowing and experienced dog to
get the right hold. One stroke from the
paw of a cat will take the fight all out Of
an ordinary dog"