The San Francisco call., 1908-10-03
Ducks for the Market
Not Plentiful
Dealers Find Supply Limited
and the Prices Are High
|. in Consequence

Among the families and friends of
the hunters who spent the opening day
of the duck shooting season on the
marsh areas around the bay yesterday
was day of feasting, and the prospect
Of a bountiful supply of game for the
rest of the season served to keep every
one Interested in the sport IN the best
of spirits. Groups of stragglers We're
arriving a. the ferry depot all day, all
of them bringing good sized bags, and the
exodus 10 the preserves at Alyarado and Suisun
continued unchecked. While the talk among the
members of the gun clubs eentered largely upon
the events OF opening day and especially upon
the uniform success achieved by a majority of
nrSt day hunters, there an element in fine
community that was grieVously disappointed.
The commission merchants and poultry dea lers
who supply the stay at home public with game
complained of the failure of the men who shoot
for the market to send in the liberal consign-
Inents that had been anxiously awaited. Despite
the great number of ducks slaughtered Thursday
there were less than so sacks forwarded to the
market men, and each sack may contain no
more than 30 birds there were less than 900
ducks on sale at the retail stores yesterday
As there were numerous buyers for every bird
oa sale this shortage made prices high aud
purchasers had TO pay about SI.50 for a mai
lard, 81 for a sprig and IS or S5 cents for a
small teal that would Just about make mouth
full for a hungry person.
There are said TO be more gun clubs holding
leases preserves this year than ever before
and the market hunters allege that with so
many of the best shooting areas closed to them
they are not able 10 keep dealers supplied If
this proves to be true-and 1t is doubted in
some Quarters-much trouble will be experienced
with poachers.
Nearly ali OF the birds seen thus far were fat
ana according to the statements of individual
hunters thin or poorly fed game was found only
in 4 few isolated instances
One Of the largest bags brought to town Thurs
day that of the Kubler gun club. Five
members OF this club headed by President Ed
Kroenke spent the day at Mount Eden and each
member returned with the limit bag of 30 birds
Many enthusiasts who could not get away from
business cares opening day, will seize the
opportunity offered for a days sport tomorrow
and the trains leaving this afternoon aud tonight
will carry an army larger If anything than tnat
which went forth TO the hunt Thursday.
Oakland duck hunters continue to arrive with
tales OF fine sport. Judge T. W. Harris and
terday In time for the opening of court with q
good bag each. They were very early on the
Alvarado marshes and brought down 60 ducks
IN a few hours
Don Sallari came in from the marshes last
night with the limit bag. He reported ex-
cellent sport. although the fowl were flying high
during the clear weather aud because of the
heavy bombardment they had received since the
opening morning. II. Hansen or Elmhurst had q
good days sport on the Mount Eden marshes
lie brought in sprig, a few mallards and canyas
backs.
Count Alfred Won der Ropp, who moved re
Gently to Switzerland with his family, is visit
Ing in Oakland and will spend several days OF
the month shooting on some Of the club re
serves Mrs Won der Ropp is In Europe anC
their children attending school IN Russia.