SHOOTING IN MISSOURI. 311 



was then done. But, fortunately, those days are 

 over, and the peaceful sportsman can wander about at 

 large without the slightest fear of molestation. Besides 

 the usual game birds, on my trip I killed several deer, 

 and if I had previously known that they were so 

 numerous would have paid them an earlier visit. A cir- 

 cumstance occurred to me the third day after arrival, 

 which, I think, all will say is unusual; at least, in my 

 long experience, I cannot remember having seen the 

 same, viz., wild turkeys lying to a dog. A large hawk 

 was hovering in the neighbourhood at the time, and to 

 his unwelcome presence I attribute this piece of for- 

 tune. With hounds admirable sport could here be 

 obtained, for the greater portion of the ground is ride- 

 able, and the land covered with brush, neither too 

 thick nor tall to impede the progress of a good horse. 

 However, let me call attention to an abuse which exists 

 here, as well as in many more of the Western States 

 the capturing of partridges with the net. American 

 gentlemen ought to do something to stop this barba- 

 rous practice, one which, in a few years, if continued, 

 will ultimately ruin their finest shooting grounds. To 

 attempt to curtail what the people here deem their 

 privilege is no easy matter ; however, such people as are 

 guilty of this heinous offence are, in nine instances out 

 of ten, worthless village loafers, too lazy to work, and 



