The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-10-12
GRuM FIELDS BENEFIT WnD.FoVl
The Best Feeding Grounds In the
Middle West are In North Dakota.

1t is not usual thing for civilization
10 benefit wild creatures. but this is
not always the case The tocks of
birds. of every variety, that are now
migrating from the far north. find
rich feast among the stubble on the
immense grain fields OF North Dakota
over which they are passing: Il supply
that the birds could not obtain when
the plains were covered by grass and
often blackened by fires. 1t Is for
this reason that the wild ducks and
geese are frequently SO fat and plump
when secured in the late autumn, and
it is for this reason too, that the
sportsman here finds the best shoot
ing grounds probably in the world.
There is no other place where the
grain fields are situated in just the
right place and are so large and nu-
inerous as they are here. The wild
fowl seem to have discovered that
the settled portions Of this state fur
nish the best feeding grounds between
the Attic coast and the distant south,
and the immense flocks that congre-
gate everywhere on field and lake
would astonish anyone not accustom-
ed to the sight. The sportsmen are
now abroad with their guns and the
shooting is practiced with much COM
fort to those who engage in this form
of recreation. 1t is desirable to have
Il horse that will stand fire, buggy
from which it is easy to step, some
lunch and plenty Of cartridges. If
the horse is Il little restless boy to
hold the lines may be taken along.
Then quiet drive over the prairies
and among the grain fields in the VIC
Unity of woods and water will lead to
the discovery of many birds. In the
morning or in the afternoon is the
best time to find the prairie chicken.
When a flock is noticed on the stubble,
the sportsman steps out and advances,
generally securing two or three birds
as they rise. Observing which direc-
ton the flock takes. the birds can be
approached a second time and even q
third time for there are few fences
to hinder progress in any direction
As it is seldom difficult matter to
find a new flock, those who are shoot
ing are not particular about search
ing for covey that has already been
fired at. Much the same method is
practiced when duck shooting is the
SPoAs SOu6AI iOi. AdNy VI tuC pONUS
most frequented by water fowl are
near the groves of trees and 1t is
easy to drive to the proper places,
visiting one pond after another and
generally getting few shots at each
When this method of shooting Ia prac-
ticed a good dog is required in order
that the birds may be brought out of
the water. Frequently man who
goes chicken shooting also visits the
ponds before he returns in order to Sc
cure few wild ducks of which there
are many varieties. The heaviest
duck is the mallard. A desirable duck
Is the blue winged teal. These are
found in large flocks and sometimes
four or five can be had with single
shot. The large gray geese are now
on the stubble fields in fiocks especial
ly in the vicinity of lakes and when
goose shooting different method is
usually employed by the sportsmen.
Decoys are used and hiding places pre-.
pared by digging hole and scatter
Ing some straw and brush about the
opening. AS the geese approach the
birds are shot on the wing and it is
quite a common thing for a couple of
spcrtsmen to return from days out
ing on the prairie by the lakes carry i.
ing with them dozen wild geese.
score of grouse and twice as many
Diunln wild ducks