144 DUCKING DAYS , 



Shooting in the Overflow 



Shooting in the overflow, part of the time I used de- 

 coys and at the other times not. Much of it is flight 

 shooting. Overhead shooting I like best of all. 



I bagged mallards, pintails, widgeons, baldpates, teal, 

 bluebills and a few redheads. The bluebills were shot 

 on the river over decoys. Bluebills frequent the main 

 river and overflow also, but the other ducks only occur 

 in the overflow. Thousands of ducks pass daily between 

 the different preserves. One of the pleasures of hunt- 

 ing to me is to hear the ducks of different varieties talk- 

 ing to each other as they fly back and forth. It takes 

 me back to old days again. 



The most striking feature of these lakes or overflowed 

 land is the dead trees, standing stark upright in the 

 water — a replica of Reelfoot Lake. 



Every evening we would gather at some camp and tell 

 stories and compare the day's experiences. I enjoyed it. 



I was sorry when the time came to return home. As 

 to my success, besides sending birds to my friends in 

 Chicago while I was away, I brought in plenty on my 

 return. 



Ducking is one of the grandest of sports and its de- 

 votees are men of the finest personality, so it is an 

 honor to be one of the craft. 



My sincerest wish is that you may enjoy your next 

 hunting trip to the same extent that I did my last one. 

 I wish you all the best of luck! 



