The San Francisco call., 1909-01-04
HUNTERS OF DUCKS
ENJOY WEEK OF
PROSPERITY
Many Limit Bags of Canvas
backs and Other Choice
Ones Are Landed
By Frank O'DonneH

While duck hunting continues to be
productive of good results at nearly all
of the shooting grounds frequented by
local powder burners last week, the
best sport was enjoyed by those who
visited the upper shores of San Pablo
bay. for it was in that region that many
large bags of the much priced canvas
backs were obtained. On the Sonoma,
Petaiuma and Suisun marsh areas, and
on the west shore of San Pablo bay
many straight limit strings of fat
cans" and mixed bags, in which this
most priced of wild ducks predomi-
mated, were obtained. Individual hunt
ers and gun club members reported the
game doing well in that region, the
stormy weather of a week or so ago
driving the birds from the deep water
to the sheltered coyes and lagoons,
where they fell in hundreds to the guns
of the sportsmen.
Duke forman was the guest of Pop"
Sweet on a Petaluma creek preserve
last Sunday and returned with % can
vasbacks and other ducks. which he
claimed to have bagged without as
sistance. His host had similar luck
and was so well pleased with his sue
cess that he decided to prolong his trip
several days.
Pete Walsh. the crack Marin county
shot, got 80 canvasbacks near the
mouth of Petaluma creek last Sunday.
and Billy Murphy and Jack Karney
got large mixed bags at Sears point.
Most of Karney's ducks were widgeon,
fell to his gun. On Wednesday of last
week II members of the Volante gun
club on Joyce island got as many limits,
repeating the performance of Jim May
nard, T. Y. Howard and DR.. Ayers. who
shot over the preserve earlier in the
week.
CLUBMEN IN GOOD FORM
Teal were very plentiful on the
Suisun marsh last week and members
of the Teal, Family, Sunset and Marsh
and Louis Titus represented the Teal
club. and Phil Bekeart, l.. Sloss, Ed
Dimond and A. Cheseborough shot over
the preserve OF the Family club. Billy
Hynes. J. b. Coleman and Jack Fill
Iner were successful on the Cook ponds,
and 35 fat, juicy teal Sere bagged by
Billy Street on Wednesday of the pre-
ceding week.
Shooting from brush blinds on the
shore of San Pablo bay was excellent
last Sunday, Harry Trader and friend
vasbacks. The fowls are plentiful on
the Alameda marshes. many limits be-
ing secured at Alyarado and around
Mount Eden recently, and shooting is
reported excellent on the south bay off
Millbrae and Redwood City. In the
latter region canvasback are seen in
great numbers.
In the San Joaquin valley vast num-
bers OF teal. widgeon and spoonbills
are seen. but the larger birds are
scarce, sprig. which had been plentiful
for some time around Los Banos. hav-
ing departed for parts unknown for
some mysterious reason. ]. p. Sweeney,
F. 5. Judah. W. s, Goodfellow, L. III.
Allen and w O. Cullen spent last Sun
day on the Empire club preserve at
Eukhorn with good results. Sprig were
plentiful there, and there was a good
sprinkling of canYaSbacks. Two red
heads. which have become rare bird
In these parts during the last few
years were bagged by Cullen.
OIL KILLS OFF DUCKS
Pete Walsh. who got limit bag
near Petaluma creek last Sunday is
presence of residum of crude oil in that
region is responsible for the death OF
hundreds of ducks by drowning and
from starvation. The birds become
covered with the sticky fluid, and with
their plumage clotted and their wings
rendered useless, what few manage to
reach the shore fall easy prey to rae
coons and minks or die of starvation
Walsh is thorough sportsman and is
urging prompt legislation to remedy
this and other evils, including the prac-
tice of shooting from launches with big
Black sea brant have been coming in
to Tomales bay for two weeks or SC
and are numerous enough now 10 furn-
great demand, but they are not easy
to shoot. il being necessary for hunt
| ers 10 anchor out IN the bay and gel
them when coming from deep water tc
! the feeding grounds on the shore, oil
! on the return flight.
AL Wilson, Bob Sangster and H. T
whitley spent last Sunday and the two
preceding DAYS around the head of the
| bay and got 90 of the birds. The bae
weighed 515 pounds, an average weight
/ of 35z pounds for each bird. The trio
used 10 bore guns and No. shot gun.
of smaller gauge being of little uss
! in hunting this kind of game. Sang.
/ ster brought down many birds at I
range of 125 yards, and it was only by
! long distance shooting that his com
panions were able to secure any.
Ur r,CrYoN IN FRANCE