Arizona republican., 1921-02-13

One of Gods noblemen. "A real sportsman and a real man." This de- served eulogy appeared in dedicating "Dueking Days" to my old friend and Sr.. of Peoria, III. An unselfish side kick in a shooting blind. This tells long story to an experienced duck hunter. Uncle Dan was formerly native of the "Hoosier state" a nephew of The Tall Sycamore of the Wa bash" whose eloquence was far reach ing and his wisdom unquestioned in the United States senate. While Uncle Dan is possibly not so oratorically gifted, he is especially entertaining and convincing as a duck blind pal" is there a place on earth where you |are better able to weigh up compan- ions true worth than when shooting from one blind together? The soeial features of a duck hunt are enhanced by the immediate presence of a con genial buddy who eulogizes your success. after negotiating a difficult double. or beats you to an alibi when you have pulled a "boner," which all hunters do, except around the camp fire
 Last fall we were shooting at Duck Island club, located about g. miles south of Peoria, on the Illinois river. In this preserve there are about 4000 acres, inclusive of a lake two miles long and half a mile wide, set apart as a refuge or duck sanctuary. A club rule prevents the firing of gun on the lake and birds are seldom dis turbed, safely resting from hunters intrusion. This preserve is mecca for migratory birds, also for hunters who are so fortunate as to carry a membership card. Surroundings are perpetuated~ just as Dame Nature de- signed. Introduction of modern or ar tificial improvements are tabooed; hence, duckdom feels at home and at rest upon their arrival. Club rules and bag limits are enforced to the letter. No jockeying on excess birds for the boatman is permitted. Membership is limited and personal rights and priv 1 ileges duly respected. Per example: | A lottery for shooting locations, on the ! following day, is held every evening with all boatmen and punters present. The choice is settled by number and usually the boatmans judgment of pre- ferred position accepted.
 1 When the avocation of "punter' Is
 mentioned my mind immediately re-
 verts to Clark Fuller, who has been a professional boatman and guide at the
 Duck Island club for the past 27 years. He has paddle navigated" every nook
 and cranny preserve. He now boasts
 of a web between his toes and his abil- |
 guage. He is child of nature, whose | habitat is the great outdoors; has made a close study of his general sur roundings, digesting every phase of
 wild life, while in pursuit of his chosen avocation, specializing upon the habits and language of birds, especially those
 feathered aces of the migratory family. On one occasion Uncle Dan, Fuller and myself were ensconced z in one
 blind, which had more the appearance
 of a box car than an artistic hide,
 built for sociability more than decep-
 ton. We were more interested in our line of conversation and each other
 than the bagging of ducks, as we then
 had approXimated our bag limit. Al
 old lone green head came from the
 north, headed for southland, Clark
 called, the mallard stopped and com
 menced circling with wings set, anx-
 ious to become chummy with our de-
 coys. Our box car blind alarmed the
 wise old bird, yet he continued milling
 just beyond the killing zone. Fuller
 was lustily calling, utilizing every in-
 tonation, enticing chatter and seduct-
 i've vocal waver known in his duck vo-
 cabulary, without success. As the nal
 lard turned tail, Clark looked after the
 disappearing bird and laeonically grunted, "Go on, damn you; you don'' know your own language" His sin Cerity amused us to the limit
 The palatial home of the Duck Island club burned last fall. We were ther comfortably quartered in a fleet o cabin or house boats anchored to tho shore near the dismantled clnb hous,