The Washington herald., 1907-10-13


two persons to hunt teal-one to say
Here he comes!' the other to say There
he goesr'
Now, there isn't the slightest doubt in
the world that a hustling teal going be-
fore the wind can cover a mile in consid-
erably less than half minute, but for
tunately for the man behind the gun, this
kind of shot is not the only sort that
we encounter. If it We're, very few birds
would be killed. for a bird travelling at
that rate Of speed Is merely flash. to hit
which requires as much luck as good
shooting. if not more.
Teal shooting is the first of the duckins
TO be had in the fail, and usually begins
early in October. with the first cool
weather. During September. while on the
marshes after reed birds and ortoian, one
may search in vain for any sign OF teal,
either green or blue wing; but when the
first approach OF cold weather manifests
itself the little fellows scurry down from
the north on their way to a warmer
climate, tarry with us only a short time,
and are off again. In fact. the season
for teal shooting is of exceedingly short
duration. Two weeks. or at most three,
viii cover it. but while il lasts there is
great sport 10 be had, and good eating,
too, if you get any, for WHEN the birds
reach us they are fat and plump and IN
prime condition for the table
Fortunately for Us here in Washington.
one can go out for three or four hours
shooting and get back in time 10 attend
to business. provided the business IS not
for Uncle Sam. who makes no provision
for the fondness for cunning possessed
by many of his employees. a trip just at
daylight 10 Eastern Branch, just above
the bridge, win very often give several
shots, and during the season quite
number are killed there Four Mile Run
used to be quite a favOrite resort before
the marsh was desecrated first by the cleo
tric road and later by pleasure resort
A few birds come in there now, and It is
not to be despised, for want of some
thing better. Moreover. one can get to
it on the first train down in the morning
and come back at any Old time. Farther
away, of course, one has the marshes Of
Patuxent River or Matawoman Creek
any place, in fact, where marsh land eX-
lists is apt TO harbor a bunch of birds.
Teal are easy to KIM A 12-gauge gun
and No. or shot are al that is
needed. but the success OF a hunt de-
pends a good deal on knowing some
thing of the habits 9 the game. At
early morning, in common with all
ducks, they are mostly on the move; but
they don't by any means, always fly
far. and after the morning flight is over
It is surprising to find how many birds
viii be jumped here and there from the
-'tuckies.7 and from beds OF wild oats,
and that, too, after considerable shoot
ing has been done; from which It IS
plain that the birds are not easily driven
away from their feeding grounds.
After the mOrning-hight shooting is
when the real fun in teal shooting be
gins. Sitting in the bow of your skff
at a ready-the pusher padding quietly
through the marsh-covering the tuck
les" and wild rice beds. and search
ing out the little Isolated pools of water
hidden away among the rushes and
reeds any one of which may contain
a bird quietly feeding in fancied secur-
ity 1t is astonishing, toe, how near one
can get TO the birds in this manner, Il
being TO uncommon thing to hear them
flush within a few yards of the boat.
The writer remembers several expert
ences in which. after hunting the marsh
thoroughly and stepping to rest and talk.
teal has suddenly taken wing, perhaps
thirty feet away. after some FIVE minutes
Of loud talking and other disturbance.
There are always single birds, or oc-
CasiOnal pairs and one never can tell
at what moment he viii flush one When
they get up they may go like a bullet
from gun, but more often they fly
comparativel slow and give a fair shot.
Teal are sociable little fellows. and
unless scattered by hard shooting are
very fond OF remaining in company. and
while so hocked are very apt 10 have q
few special secluded hooks which they
frequent, and right here is where the ex-
perienced hunter gets in his good work
Having flushed a bunch Of birds ncm
some little pool, and seen by the teutala
feathers floating around-for one must
be able to read the signs of nacu-e #
he would be a successful hunIer-that
they are accustomed to rise here. he
seldom wastes time in following The
birds in hope of finding them again. bu,
draws his boat into the grass. conceals
himself, and waits for them 10 tetllrn.
This they are sure 20 do. in course Of
time, and if after waiting lui-e n Wh1e.
nothing seems TO be doing, he sends
the boatman out to start them up know
ing that when flushed ,hey rH. nne
times out of ten, come sIi-ectlv back 10
the place whence they were frightened
a short time since
When they come back do not EXPECT
them 10 plump down into the water first
crack-not muchi They are wary birds.
and want 10 be very sure that all is safe
before trusting themselves 20 aIight and
unless you are well hidden and Keep very
quiet you viii have had only your work
for your pains. and the birds viii decamp
TO some distant feeding ground. not to
return until after dark.
Around and around they circle now
flying over the water and swooping down
as If to aIight then dashing away again
for another time When they swoop they
viii in all probability be closely punched.
and if near enough one can get a raking
shot at this time. If. on the other hand.
they are just rising from the swoop when
within range, better wait for another op-
portUnity and lie low.
After circling about for several minutes
IN this fashion and seeing nothing alarm
ing. with final swOop they alight on
the water In a bunch. and for a moment
remain perfectly motionless. ready to take
flight on the slightest provocation. Now
give it to 'emi-right barrel as they rest
on the water. left barrel as they rise. Ye