The sun., 1909-11-14
IDEAL DAY WITH WILD DUCKS
SHOOTING AT THE WAPANOCA
PfESERyE IN ARKaNsAs.


spIcsdid sport Ptfty-six Hours From New
ysrk-The Limit of FIFTY Birds
euica<ly Reached-Duci<a I'm Millions
the Hospitality eG Tenncssceans.
Tie man OF 50 snuggled still lower into
tho rcceeses OF his comfortable chair In
the library OF one Of New York's most
prcainent clubs and removing the cigar
!-an his lips remarked to his companion
thathese were the days when his sporting
blod was stirred by the reoollsctions
Of % fun he had enjoyed a. lad during
thetucking season in northern New York
wha tho inland lakes Of that region
sw9med with flight birds on their way to
thewarm waters OF the Southland.
Those good old tirnes arc a golden
menory. and now II couple Of days in
a bttery on Great South Bay or at Havre
DeGrsce yield a SCORE Of birds think
In having lots OF fun" he went on.
NJ. but ! would like to have one more
god duck hunti think would 60 some
distance to get IL too
Could you spare q week and TO with
n,tto Arkansas7 Because II you really
yern TO kill ducks I can crafty the
logging in ffty-six hours from now
he first speaker after consulting his
en,a cement book announced that lsss
thin twenty-four hours would find him
redy for the road. and q telegram was
depatched to a friend in Memphis that
an open invitation extended the year
bebre to shoot at the famous wspanooa
preserve would be gratefully accepted
a. Hi f-e-
VIII would be congenial III every respect.
'uick reply to come at once hastened
pr@arations and the easer New Yorksrs
reahed Memphis on Sunday morning.
A that same afternoon the train
whsh pulled leisurely across the Missis-
sipv over the Chootaw route had a
dom shooters aboard. already friends
by hat bond which the gun cements so
quikly. By the rules Of the Wapanoca
organization each Of the members OF the
ciuIis permitted to invite a friend occa-
sioslly, but for not more than three
. ~, and during the time of the stay the
msnber must accompany his guest and
paya fec OF SO a day. The famous club,
vhse roster contains the names OF some
Of no best known men in America, is
lccted in the widest portion Of the
Stse about forty miles from Memphis.
anfo those who visit il for the first time
IL full Of surprises.
he shooting Ia over a series OF lakes,
or more properly speaking ponds, for
noe Of them is more than four or 1--WE feet
in cepth. while several have not more than
einteen inches OF water in them. By
sone peculiar oataclysm OF nature these
pods were formed some fifty years ago
blythe apparently solid ground sinking.
am here and there the shrubs and trees
ashley stood At that time dot the surface
ofthe water and make ideal blinds from
wach the birds may be shot. Where
nGnre has not made complete job the
skilled hands Of the wapanoca expert
crctakers have been employed. a
Fringed with cypress and willow. with
hyous or lagoons here and there con-
netting the series OF ponds and with wild
caery and rice for food Ia abundance. the
psce IN a veFitable paradise for ducks.
gese and swans. There are probably a
sore Of spots from which the shooting
h good. but Of course. as 10 usually the
csc. the birds frequently show a prefer
sace for certain districts where the feeding
"
dtion, and in order that all the shooters
nay have an equal chance q record 10
bpt Of tho kills. and prospective shooters
b consulting II may learn where the best
hgs have lately been made. The draw
irss for blinds Is by lot and 90 is the
cioice OF paddiers.
Each blind is known by q name and the
man who secures number one in the draw
asa rule takes the stand where the best
shooting has recently been had. Occa-
sbnally . man who has hsd uniformly
god luck in o particular blind feels him.
sdf more at home there and takes it
Nenever the opportunity affords.
II was dark when the party stepped
rom the train to the long platform where
half p dozen neat negroes In club uni
frms and a couple Of barking dogs
we're waiting to welcome them. Lights
linked CHEEKY welcome from the splen-
I'D clubhouse ndt more than ZOO feet
Gway. and through the doorway there
Yas a glimpse of q log fire In an open
November make fire AZ welcome as In
New York at the same season
The visitors were escorted 20 a huge
room with twin brass beds. q ceiling of
peeled and vanished logs. and upon-the
floor were rugs that made tho realization
of the locality difficult. Such fittings
might have been looked for in some Of
the so-called joyous Adirondack camps.
but the presence of 90 much that was
elaborate in furnishings in Arkansas was
genuine surprise.
At dinner which was served in a long
low ceiled room. the walls Of which were
covered with shooting scenes. painted.
engraved and Photographic. introduce
tions were general. and soon everybody
was busy with the splendidly cooked
and perfectly served meal.
A Pittsburg millionaire who spends
two months each year at the place
told the newcomers about getting the
-limit'-fifty birds-the day before at
his favorits station. and prophesied q
famous days sport on the morrow. con-
cludins with tho offer Of any Of tho fine
guns in his rack and the placing at their
disposal OF his own paddler. employed
by the season and generally acknowledged
IN be the best man in the region.
This was one specimen OF the spirit
Of hospitality and true sportsmanship
aneountarad Anofhar wa a aaau ir, Man,