348 UPLAND SHOOTING. 



one reason for keeping the season open during the spring 

 is the fact that comparatively few hens are killed then; 

 but more gobblers are than at any other time, and the 

 killing of gobblers in any section does not materially 

 interfere with breeding, unless all should be killed, which 

 is not likely, for if there be a gobbler in the country, the 

 hens will find him when they need him, and he is such a 

 thorough polygamist that he will file no objection. One 

 gobbler can fertilize all the eggs in his section, and then 

 gobble for more. Still, I can not resist the force of the 

 fable of the hen (or goose) that laid the golden egg, and 

 can not see why the turkey should not have just as fair a 

 chance to perpetuate its species as other kinds of game. 

 I must confess, however, that I would listen to a strong 

 argument in favor of spring shooting at gobblers only 

 with a partial ear, and my great fondness for pitting 

 skill against turkey wariness would prejudice me largely 

 in its favor; and, if not convinced, I fear I should be 

 like the regulation New Year's refonners— defer reforma- 

 tion until next year. Were the framing of a law left to 

 me, there would be great danger of an exception or two 

 being introduced, as is reported of a law against fire- 

 hunting for deer in an early day in Arkansas. It was 

 said that a representative introduced a bill on this sub- 

 ject, when the most infiuential member, an inveterate 

 fire-hunter, made a vigorous speech in its favor, and con- 

 cluded by saying that he would vote for the l^ill, provided 

 he could get an amendment excepting any night when 

 it was '■'■very still, very darTc, and a leetle misting of 

 rain. ' ' Tlie temptation to fire-hunt on such a night was too 

 strong; and so the temptation to go for a gobbler would 

 be very great any still, clear morning in the early spring, 

 especially if a light shower had fallen during the night. 

 I have hunted nearly all kinds of game in the United 

 States and Mexico, from the buffalo down to blackbirds, 



