HUNTING TURKEY WITH A DOG 229 



If you attempt to stalk an old gobbler when he 

 is gobbling it is quite easy if you learn the course 

 he is taking and get ahead of him and simply 

 wait. Some men hunt no other way and are suc- 

 cessful; but it requires the greatest care, and a 

 thorough knowledge of the woods you are in, so 

 that you may take advantage of ridges, ravines, 

 gulches, thickets, etc. 



When you have discovered a flock of turkeys 

 at some distance from you, stop and wait a few 

 moments. If they are feeding, and you are un- 

 observed by them, carefully note in what direc- 

 tion they are moving. It is hard to tell if they 

 are going or coming two hundred yards away, but 

 there is one way by which their movements can 

 readily be determined and that is by their color. 

 If they are approaching, you will notice the black- 

 ness of their breasts; or rather the birds will 

 appear almost black; and if a majority so appear, 

 you may be sure they are coming; in other 

 words, if you see one or two of them straighten 

 up, and they look quite dark or black, you can 

 then be certain of their approach. On the other 

 hand, if you notice that they look a lightish gray 



