THE WILD TURKE-S. 27 



Southern gentlemen, the colored brethren strenuously 

 deny that they ever shot a bird in such a nefarious man- 

 ner. Callmg turkeys to a blind is considered fair and 

 lionorable by all lovers of the gun, as the chances of 

 bringing a veteran gobbler withm range are problematical, 

 unless a person is well versed in that vocal art. The best 

 time for calling is the early morning during the pair- 

 ing period, or the autumn, when the birds are in prime 

 condition, but no true sportsman kills the hens during 

 the spring and summer. The roosts of a flock of turkeys 

 may be readily discovered on a moonlight night, by imi- 

 tating the cry of the barred owl, as every male within 

 hearing of tliat disagreeable sound responds to it in the 

 most vehement manner, and thus reveals his position to 

 the deceiving hunter, who soon makes preparations to 

 pepper him with shot. It is rather difficult to shoot tur- 

 keys over dogs, as they rarely lie to a point, for the 

 moment they see their canine foe they run away or seek 

 safety in a tree; hence, a dog ought to be trained spe- 

 cially for their pursuit, and his first principle of edu- 

 cation should be to point on winding them, for they will 

 will not stand close drawing, and to bark when they are 

 flushed. They are naturally so vigilant and suspicious 

 that the slightest movement or the least noise, even if 

 it is only the breaking of a rotten twig, will flush them 

 or cause them to hide in the densest thickets and cane- 

 brakes, and even to leave a region for good. 



If they are shot on the wing, a person is not always 

 sure of getting them, for they may go half a mile or 

 more after being mortally wounded, and when they alight 

 they try to conceal themselves in the heaviest cover if 

 they cannot keep their foothold on a tree; but as they 

 fly in a direct line, they may be secured with the aid of a 

 dog which knows how to use its eyes as well as its nose. 



The best months for shooting them in a sportsmanlike 

 manner are October, November, December, and January^ 



