HOW TO HUNT THE WILD TURKEY. 107 



In the spring of the year, when the turkeys 

 are gobbling and laying their eggs, they can 

 be tolled by imitating the call of the turkey- 

 hen. This can be done on a green leaf or 

 with a quill. In hunting turkeys at that time, 

 go before dawn to where you have seen fresh 

 signs and listen for the gobble of the turkey. 

 On hearing this go on until you are within 

 shooting distance of him and then wait quietly 

 until it is light enough to shoot him out of 

 his tree. Then listen for another and, on hear- 

 ing him, slip within one or two hundred yards 

 of him and seat yourself against a tree that 

 is larger than your body, with the turkey front- 

 ing you. Place your gun between your knees 

 making a rest of them. Then open negotia- 

 tions with the turkey by making three or four 

 calls on your yelper ; if he answers you yelp 

 again ; then wait and listen to see whether he 

 is coming or not ; if he seems to get closer 

 call him again. When he gets within a hun- 

 dred yards of you quit calling ; watch every 



