Buffalo Land: Authentic Account of the Discoveries, Adventures, and Mishaps of a Scientific and Sporting Party in the Wild WestWebb, W. E. (William Edward)
History
Buffalo Land: Authentic Account of the Discoveries, Adventures, and Mishaps of a Scientific and Sporting Party in the Wild West
Webb, W. E. (William Edward)
Hunting -- West (U.S.); Paleontology -- Kansas; West (U.S.) -- Description and travel
Elk must be hunted by stalking, as he speedily distances any horse. The
animal is found in abundance along the upper waters of the Republican,
Solomon, and Saline. I prefer its meat to that of either the buffalo or
antelope. The horns of a fine male form a pleasing trophy to look at,
when the hunter's joints have been stiffened by rheumatism or age.
TURKEY HUNTING.
Wild turkeys exist in great numbers along the creeks, over the whole
western half of Kansas, and, where they have never been hunted, are so
tame as to afford but little sport. Cunning is their natural instinct,
however, and at once comes to the rescue, when needed. After a few have
been shot, the remainder will leave the narrow skirt of creek timber
instantly, and escape among the ravines by fast running, defying any
pursuit except in the saddle. Even then if they can get out of sight for
a moment, they will often escape. While the rider is pressing forward in
the direction a tired turkey was last seen, the bird will hide and let
him pass; or, turning the instant it is hidden by the brow of the
ravine, it will take a backward course, passing, if necessary, close to
the horse. As another illustration of the wily habits of the turkey, let
the hunter select a creek along which there has been no previous
shooting done, and kill turkeys at early morning on roosts, and the next
night the gangs will remain out among the "breaks."
For this shooting, a shot-gun is, of course, the best, although I have
had fine sport among the birds with the rifle. When using shot at one on
the wing, the hunter must not conclude his aim was bad, if no immediate
effect is observed. The flying turkey will not shrink, as the
prairie-chicken does, when receiving and carrying off lead. I have
frequently heard shot rattle upon a gobbler's stout feathers without any
apparent effect, and found him afterward, fluttering helpless, a mile
away.
GENERAL REMARKS.
The western field open to sportsmen is a grand one. Kansas, Colorado,
Nebraska, Dakota, and Wyoming, are all overflowing with game. The
climate of each is very healthy, and especially favorable for those
affected with pulmonary complaints. A year or two passed in their pure
air, with the excitement of exploration or adventure superadded, would
put more fresh blood into feeble bodies than all the watering-places in
existence. Let the dyspeptic seek his hunting camp at evening, and, my
word for it, he will find the sweet savor of his boyhood's appetite
resting over all the dishes. After the meal, with his feet to the fire,
he can have diversion in the way of either comedy or tragedy, or both,
by listening to frontier tales. When bed-time comes, he will barely have
time to roll under the blankets, before sweet sleep closes his eyes, and
the twinkling stars look down upon a being over whom the angel of health
is again hovering.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account