THE WILD TURKEY. 131 



SHOOTING TURKEYS. 



Various plaQS are resorted to by Huntsmen to kill Turkeys, 

 dependent in a great measure upon the particular locality shot 

 over. 



If the country be new and wild, and the Birds abundant, as 

 well as seldom pursued, much less stratagem is necessary to 

 approach them, than if the region is thickly settled, and the 

 Turkeys proportionately scarce and wary from previous hunt- 

 ing ; for in this case, it requires much labor, skill, and cunning, 

 to entice them within gun or rifle shot. 



A good Turkey-Dog is of great consequence, Audubon re- 

 marks, in the pursuit of these Birds, as they not only scent the 

 game from a great distance, but when up with it, perform the 

 most essential service in running into their midst, and forcing 

 them to take flight to the trees in the utmost confusion, thus 

 procuring for the Sportsman the most desirable shots. 



If the Turkeys were not thus scattered by the Dog, and made 

 to take to the trees in disorder and terror, they would all make 

 off in a body, with such suddenness and precipitancy, that it 

 would be impossible for the Sportsman to come up with them. 



The Wild Turkey runs with amazing celerity, vigor, and 

 bottom, in so much that they soon outstrip both Dog and Eider; 

 even when badly winged, it requires a swift Dog to overtake 

 them. 



Turkeys are easily killed if shot in the head or neck ; when 

 hit only in the body, they most frequently make off and are lost 

 to the Hunter. 



It is a common practice in some localities, to shoot these 

 Birds on their roost on moonlight nights, when they can be dis- 

 tinguished quite easily on the trees. 



Dr. Sargent states " that Wild Turkeys commence gobbling 

 a little before the break of day, and continue on their roosts 

 lentil broad light ; during this interim, the Hunter can cautiously 

 glide within shooting distance of the tree upon which they are 

 perched, and, silently and patiently awaiting till the dawn has 

 broken, secure his game without further trouble. This march 

 upon our victims, however, must be accomplished in the most 



