FROM THE GAME FIELDS. 



131 



DUCKING ON PUGET SOUND. 



North Yakima, Wash. 



Editor Recreation: A few years ago I 

 sent word to George Sneider, of Hoaquim, 

 Wash., I would be with him for a duck 

 hunt. Now Sneider is a hearty, jovial fel- 

 low who has shot ducks till he has it down 

 to a system. He ran a sail-boat from 

 Hoaquim to Owyehut, 17 miles, across the 

 harbor. The boat was 30 feet long, carried 

 a mainsail and a jib, and was well-builii 

 throughout. He had about 60 decoys, 

 mostly canvasbacks; a skiff, an Irish set- 

 ter and a 10 gauge Lefever gun. 



When I met him at Hoaquim, he told me 

 he had to take a small load of lumber up to 

 the Humptulips, a river emptying into the 

 harbor. This we landed in the evening, 

 after a pleasant sail with the outgoing tide, 

 and dropped anchor in the mouth of the 

 river. During the night a storm arose and 

 increased in violence. We could not ex- 

 pect any shooting till it ceased. 



On the morning of the third day the 

 storm lifted and we sailed for Owyehut. A 

 stiff breeze blew inshore, and as we neared 

 the landing, Sneider cried out: " Look at 

 the canvasbacks! " 



The rough weather had driven them 

 into this cove. There were hundreds of 

 them, flying back and forth, about a quarter 

 of a mile from shore, where they were feed- 

 ing. We had to do our shooting before 

 the tide came in too heavy; so we worked 

 with a will, got everything into the skiff, 

 and pulled for the shore, to get willows 

 for a blind. With a boatload of willows, 

 Sneider rowed to where the ducks were 

 feeding. The blind was quickly built and 

 the decoys put out. 



All the time we were at work, the ducks 

 were flying. Many times I was tempted 

 to grab a gun and shoot, but checked the 

 desire. What a sight it was! Over 50 de- 

 coys bobbing with the motion of the waves. 

 The ducks were moving swiftly back and 

 forth. Now, a good bunch comes right 

 toward our flock. They drop a little but 

 fly on up the bay. After going several 

 hundred yards they wheel. This time there 

 is no mistake. Some of them settled. 

 Others were looking for a good place, 

 when we opened on them. Three dead, one 

 winged. " Shoot quick or you lose that 

 bird! If he dives, he will not come up 

 within range." Now the dog plays a part. 

 He brings them all in. Even while he 

 works, we drop others for him. 



This is a time when you live intensely. 

 Every moment is full of thrilling interest. 

 I remember distinctly how much I wished 

 for a leather lining to Sneider's shell-box; 

 for the noise of the shells, against the tin, 

 sounded harsh. One feels that nothing 

 should mar the completeness of the sport, 

 in such a time. 



They came fast enough. We tried to get 



in a shot at all of them, but could not. 

 Often a bird was hard hit and fell where 

 the dog could not see it. Then out one of 

 us would go, pulling as if for big wages; 

 back again to the blind, eager for a chance 

 at the dashing birds. How strong they 

 are! What shooting it takes to kill them! 

 What beauties they are, lying in the boat! 

 Almost all canvasbacks, though there are d 

 few mallards and pintails. 



Now the tide makes its way toward the 

 blind. The ducks have ceased to come; so 

 we row to the big boat, after 2 hours of the 

 best shooting I ever enjoyed. Over 50 

 ducks were unloaded and hung in the ware- 

 house. 



SUMMERING IN THE TETON COUNTRY. 



Tampa, Fla. 



Editor Recreation: Any one who likes 

 to travel, should go over one of the scenic 

 routes in Colorado. Take in Salt lake and 

 Salt Lake City, thence on to Market lake, 

 Idaho. From there a good stage line will 

 take you 80 miles to Teton City, thence 20 

 miles, over the Teton Range, crossing it at 

 9,000 feet elevation to the Jackson Hole 

 country, fetching up at the hospitable ranch 

 of that gentlemanly guide, S. M. Leek, of 

 Jackson, Wyoming. 



A day or 2 spent resting at the ranch, 

 and fishing in Snake river, will relieve all 

 fatigue. Have Mr. Leek put a boat on a 

 wagon and, either by vehicle or saddle and 

 pack horses, go to Jackson lake, some 25 

 or 30 miles away. Here the outing really 

 begins. The mighty Tetons, clothed near 

 the base with timber and verdure, lift their 

 snow-capped heads something like 15,000 

 feet high, while against their sides, at an 

 elevation of 7,000 feet above sea level, lies 

 beautiful Lake Jackson, 5 miles wide and 

 20 miles long. The scene is so grand and 

 so beautiful that one might liken it to an 

 Alpine range; but such American scenery 

 needs no comparison. 



There is a succession of lakes here, all 

 near together, and connected by Snake 

 river. The water is very deep and full of 

 rainbow, salmon and other trout. Some 

 have been caught that weighed 15 pounds. 

 The air is so dry, clear and cool; the waters 

 so cold and smooth; the scenery so capti- 

 vating, that one will be loath to leave it, 

 and several weeks will quickly pass. 



The country abounds in game, and one 

 will doubtless see many elk, antelope and 

 deer, but these can not be hunted before 

 September. Grouse and sage hens are 

 plentiful, and bear can be found in the re- 

 mote mountain fastnesses. 



Should one tire, then on to Yellowstone 

 National Park, only 2 days' travel. All 

 along the route the scenery is constantly 

 changing. 



On reaching the park you can take park 



