The San Mateo item. (San Mateo City, Putnam County, Fla) 189?-19??, 1908-11-28
.ILDTURKEY
HUNT.
skIIfuI Sportsman Calls Bird
10 Come and be Shot.
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When morning dawned In northern
Arkansas there was some four inches
OF snow on the ground. We consid-
cred ourselves most fortunate In en-
countering the snow. something de-
cidedly unusual In the territory, and
because Of the increased light from
the carpet of white we were enabled
10 make most early start into tho
woods
lie paired on IN twos, my compan-
ion being an experienced turkey hunt
er and possessing marvellous skill
i'm initiating their call with a wing
bone There are many kinds OF tur.
key callers, and most every hunter
has some one which he claims TO be
better than any other. ranging from
a gourd-end with an oak pin In u
and a piece OF slate TO the elaborate
and highly ornamented and patented
callers to be bought in the sporting
goods stores.
The turkeys had not left their roost-
ing places when we reached their
range and the carpet Of snow was I'M
sullied by any marks or tracks, OK
cept, occasionally, near a tree, where
an inQuisitiyc and carly rising SPUR
rel had made an essay to go visiting
but had changed It's mind and re-
turned to its snug nest after founder
ing few feet through the snow, or
where a night proving fox or coon
had passed along.
Every hundred yards or so we
would stop for few minutes while
my companion sent the notes OF his
call floating through the silent for
est. We had not made more than
half a dozen of these pauscs before, !
in answer TO this call, far through
the woods we heard an unmistakable |
reply. We separated a few yards, !
each Of us taking a crouching posi-.
tlon at the foot of large tree, fac
ing toward the portion Of the forest |
from whence had come the call This |
IS the only safe position when at
tempting to call a turkey. for the |
background Of the trees seems TO |
prevent the turkey from seeing the |
hunter, and often the bird will walk |
up to within a few feet of the man !
If the latter will only remain quiet. |
My companion now began to call !
again. and soon, from several direc- |
tions, ne secured answering calls. |
Then we heard the beating of mighty |
wings as a distant turkey, presumably |
Of great size, fluttered its ponderous |
body from the limb where 1t had |
roasted through the night to the snow
coverel ground. 1t was a most ex-
citing and ncrve-raclking sound, and
il put us both upon the keen edge OF
expectancy, for often a turkey will |
fly straight from It's roosting place |
to the gunner with his wlng-bone
caller.
Far through the woods / caught ]
glimpse OF the dark body OF the tur- |
key sailing toward the ground and |
my heart went up in my throat and
my pulse beat like a railroad engine !
climbing heavy grade. However,
the bird lit some two or three hun
dred yards away in a clear space, and
could see IL leisurely making It's /
way toward us, standing out bold and
prominent in the sea Of Wilderness.
Slowly It approached, and, when just
about $50 yards away. there came a
roar OF wings. and, sailing out Of a
cypress brake, a big turkey came
straight for my position, flying |
through the trees with the speed of
A race horse. Without turn or curve
Il came. bearing down upon me, and
when less than fifty yards away /
gave II a load OF No. chilled shot
and piled II up IN the most approved
style. | had not been 80 intent upon
mis- bIrd that | failed TO keep an