The Wild Turkey 283 



a running or flying bird as far as it can be clearly- 

 seen in such cover, or in any ordinary cover. The 

 gun should be held well ahead. A single large 

 pellet in the head or neck should mean a dead 

 bird. A turkey, though hard hit farther back, 

 may lead one an exasperating chase before being 

 secured, if it does not escape outright. A broken 

 wing means trouble. A winged turkey, having 

 its running gear still in good order, is a conun- 

 drum not half solved. The only thing to do is to 

 bustle after it hotfoot, and shoot at every glimpse 

 of the fleeing quarry. This method rattles the 

 bird, and prevents it from selecting some secure 

 hiding-place. Once get him confused, and he is 

 as apt to dodge into danger as away from it. 



Of course, on tracking snow, the trail may be 

 followed ; but, if given time, a turkey will work its 

 way into the most baffling cover and, once there, 

 manoeuvre maybe for hours. I once winged a 

 fine gobbler about mid-afternoon, and, after refus- 

 ing one doubtful opportunity, chased that infernal 

 fowl until dark, and not only failed to secure it, 

 but got myself so mixed up that only the distant 

 whistle of a railroad engine gave me a line on 

 civilization, and saved me from sleeping out in 

 the cold and grubless whence. 



After one has emptied both barrels at a flying 

 turkey, it is a safe rule to follow that particular 

 bird, at least until its new track has been discov- 



