Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1909-11-20

turkeys were bred and reared on farms-a mat
ter or no great difficulty to accomplish say the
experts-they would be docile enough and with
proper protection would multiply rapidly.
The fact that wild turkeys nave maintained
their foothold to extent in ong-settled parts
OIL their old territory-as, for example, in Vir-
g1nia and Acknowledgements to indicate that it
would be entirely practicable to restock portions
of their former ranges. But, inasmuch as the
country anciently occupied by them is now for
the most part populated by human beings it is
necessary, in order to accomplish the object sug-
gested, that their multiplication shall be encour-
aged under conditions of at least partial domes-
tcation-that is to say. by farming the birds for
pleasure and profit.
1t Is believed that, if proper protection were
given to such enterprises by law sporting
club and wealthy individuals owning or leasing
large tracts would gladly into the business OF
breeding wild turkeys-not for market of course,
but for the pleasure derivable from such an enter
prise At the present time a few such organi-
cations and proprietors of great private estates
MAINTAIN similar preserves for the quail bob
white, holding field trials in competition to test
the ability of dogs to find and point the birds.
These field trials in reality dog races, and no
shooting of the quail is allowed.
Where wild turkeys are concerned however
there is no reason why such extensive preserves
covering in some instances many thousands of
acres, should not afford admirable sport under
suitable restrictions There is form of outdoor
amusement more delightful than turkey hunting.
But, If farmers could be persuaded take up the
idea and to breed the birds, they might sell shoot
ing privileges to sportsmen at rate which would
put much more money into their pockets than
-ASy Souiu sam Dy SenulnS the fowls to market
LII the business were suitably managed farms of
500 to 1000 acres would yield larger revenue
from wild turkeys than from poultry, sportsmen
being usually willing to pay several times more
for the fun of shooting than the latter would
fetch as marketable game. For such purposes of
course. it would be neither necessary nor desir-
able that the fowls should be tame. On the
other hand, experience has shown that wild tur-
keys are not disposed to go far away from an ac-
customed source of food supply.
The wild turkey is prolific. and takes kindly to
civilization. Like its tame congener, it a great
consumer of injurious insects, particularly grass
hoppers, and such would be useful to the farm
err The female lays from Is 20 eggs for a
clutch" but raises only brood in year
Foxes. hawks and owls deadly enemies, but it
would be the business of the farmer to protect
the birds from these foes as he does in case
Of his farmyard poultry. AS for human poach-
srs. adequate laws for protection against them
would have to be passed; but the sportsmen if
once they became interested in the matter could
be relied upon to exert in this direction power
Eaf influence, which has never yet failed of sue
in affairs of the kind.
II seems difficult to realize that less than 100
years ago wild turkeys so abundant that
they often sold for six cents apiece very large
Dne, weighing rs or 80 pounds occasionally fetch
ing much Is To-day a large speci-
men. gobbler preferred, is worth SIS. The species
has been wiped out. not by sportsmen, but by pot
hunters, who kill the birds on the roosts tran
them in pens, or lie in ambush for them attract
ing them within easy shooting distance by fmita-
ting the call of the hen the young .poult"
On Fishers island. in Long Island sound, a most