The Washington herald., 1907-11-03

IS To be successful requires great skill
In its use both in making the proper
note and in understanding a turkeys
way OF calling. The object is 10 excite
the curiosity of the gobbler. and the
more you can convince him that you are
hen that never saw a gobbler and
doesn't want to. the bette it will be
for you Have your gun re .dy cooked
on getting an answer. or tho sound made
may send him scurrying away just when
you begin to feel sure OF him. Don't
get discouraged if twenty minutes or a
half hour should fail 10 bring him with
IN reach. Sn old gobbler Is "a mighty
wary bird, and not TO be caught mapping,
and II may take an hour or more. ON no
account move or attempt to go to him.
II you do you will hear a patter on the
| leaves. and that winds up your chance
/ for that particular bird.
When he gets within range blaze away.
! taking aim behind your cover that the
CLINT OF the gun barrels may not attract
/ his attention. II seems impossible to
make the beginner realize that . turkey
has eyes and ears all over him, and
that false move ut the supreme mo-
ment, or the swapping Of twig may
ruin hours Of patient work. and scared
! turkey is the feetest thing on two feet.
Trailing Them to the ROOst.
II YOU chance to run into a bunch
along late in the afternoon, you have
the golden opportunity Of doing some
/ fine detective york in keeping just in
touch with them until they reach their
roosung place Every flock have a
certain place In which. II undisturbed.
it roosts each night In this region
the thick top Of a pine tree offers
mighty good refuge although turkeys
as a rule like TO be where they can see
all about them. and often occupy a
branch in some gaunt, bare tree. Don't
expect them 10 poOst like tame turkeys.
all IN "A bunch in one tree They may.
but as a rule hereabouts, they scatter
ont. one in one tree, another in an
other. Having followed them thus far.
wait until IL becomes thoroughly dark,
then go up and pick out your bird
against the sky and soak him!
Hunting with a dog is very much
like squirrel hunting in the same man
ner-the dog does all the work When
ne rushes into flock pell nell. they
/ take at once to the nearest trees. and
are most interested in watching his an
/ ties. While thus engaged the hunter
] slips cautiously up within range and
/ singles out the nearest bird he can get
Undoubtedly the method of stalking
/ is the one requiring the greatest skin,
patience. and knowledge Of turkey life
and it affords the greatest amount Of
/ true sport
/ IN this mode Of hunting YOU search
] for fresh scratchings and steal gently
/ through the woods in the direction
In which the birds have gone, endeavor-
/ ing 70 see them before they see you.
often they can he heard literally tear
/ ing things up just a short distance
ahead. While stiIl unseen. Then en-
/ sues the sneak" 20 get within range
without being discovered. This. ac-
/ cording 20 circumstances. may he
( quickly accomplished, or they may have
/ 10 be followed for some time. Oc-
| c4sionally observing the direction IN
which they are working. a wide detour
/ may be made and position taken where
+ they Will come within range.
One shot Bags Three.
! IF this can be successfully accomplished.
J Il lilit SAJl can often ne naG, ana II Is
not unusual 90 get two OF more heads close
+ together a friend OF the writer's. having
/ accomplished this coup one morning. gave
"A low whistle. causing the birds 10 pause
and all lift their heads. and a shot
{ through the bunch cut down three. One
/ never wants to be in a hurry when turkey
hunting-plenty of patience. plenty Of
time and plenty Of perseverance are re-
quired-and with all these, you may get
left
When you can take your pick OF a
/ flock, as in blind shooting or calling, pick
out a gobbler. Leave the hens TO breed.
1t IS perfectly legitimate to get a hen
/ turkey. but the gobbler is the king OF the
I flock. and what you waQt
/ Lastly. never let your gun go out of
your reach; you may need II at the most
/ unexpected moment and nothing is more
certain 10 make you sore than to have a
fine turkey walk deliberately within range
and your gun ten feet of. against tree.
Let all your movements be cautious, make
no noise, and, above all. when turkeys
are around about you. keep still as
/ death-and don't get the buck ague,