202 THE WILD TURKEY AND ITS HUNTING 



gone before he recovered his wits. I once called 

 one down, and as he stretched his legs to alight, 

 he saw me, and with a loud "put-put" checked 

 his flight and shot up like a rocket. 



A gobbler will invariably alight within fifty to 

 seventy-five yards of the roosting tree, according 

 to the height they are perched from the ground; 

 therefore one hundred and fifty yards is suffi- 

 ciently near if your purpose is to call; but if you 

 intend to stalk and shoot him in the tree, you 

 will do best if you show no part of your body; 

 and especially keep the gun barrel out of sight. 

 Many hunters will hide themselves but expose 

 their gun, which is a great mistake, as the bird 

 will surely see the glint of light on the barrel. 



It is best, in my opinion, not to call while the 

 gobblers are in the trees, for the reason that the 

 gobbler is expecting the hen to come to him; and 

 it will often happen that as long as you call, so 

 long will he remain in the tree and gobble and 

 strut. I have had gobblers sit on their roost 

 until 9 o'clock and gobble because I kept yelp- 

 ing. 



Having got into position, wait until your 



