THE WILD TURKEY. a4 
Southern gentlemen, the colored brethren strenuously 
deny that they ever shot a bird in such a nefarious man- 
ner. Calling turkeys to a blind is considered fair and 
honorable by all lovers of the gun, as the chances of 
bringing a veteran gobbler within 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 that 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 
Gog 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, 
