Wild Fowl Massacres - 1880

The decoy — a fac-simile of the wild goose or duck — was the first device employed to allure wild fowl within reach of a gun. Formerly but six or eight were used. To-day a full set will number from sixty to two hundred, the larger number as auxiliary to the battery — a diabolical engine of destruction. The machine consists of a square box of dimensions sufficient to contain a man prostrate on his back. To this box is attached a platform made of cedar boards. The latter varies in dimensions. Some are eight feet square, others twelve or fourteen feet, while many have canvas fenders attached, the more completely to break the swash of the waves. These machines can only be used during moderate southerly weather. They are transported on large sailboats to the feeding grounds of the birds, where they are launched and anchored. About and on them are placed large numbers of decoys, which are so arranged as to lie head towards the machine. The largest body of decoys are usually placed so that the birds in passing shall swing off towards the left bank. We will now imagine the gunner snugly stowed in his narrow box. The tender lies off and on to the leeward in readiness to pick up the dead. Cripples are seldom retrieved. As the battery is placed wide off shore, sometimes in the very center of a sound or bay, the crowd of decoys surrounding it are very attractive to passing fowl. The gunner, prone upon his back on a level with the water, is entirely invisible. Flock after flock, unsuspicious of danger, and seeking a favorite feeding ground, will dash in among the decoys. The occupant of the battery at the proper moment rises to a sitting position and pours in among them a right and left hand gun. Possibly at every shot four or five may be killed outright, and as many more crippled. The dead are retrieved by the tender, while the cripples find their way to shore, where they either die a lingering death, or are destroyed by animals or birds of prey. When ducks are flying freely, and the man in the battery is armed with a breech-loader, and is moreover experienced in this style of shooting, the slaughter is immense. The proportion of wounded to dead is large. It requires no great effort to calculate the amount of mischief of which the battery is capable. The machine, however, is available only for certain varieties of fowl. Geese may be killed from it, also widgeon, canvas back duck, red-head, and all birds whose sight is close to the surface of water. Black ducks and sprig-tails, or birds which fly at a considerable altitude, are apt to look into a battery, and consequently avoid it. The use of these machines is not so harmful in large expanses of water as in small and narrow bays. Here they are positively fatal, and should not be tolerated. Laws area, indeed enacted forbidding their use, but no attention is paid to these statutes, and they are used indiscriminately.

The fire-lighting of geese is done, of course, on very dark nights. On the bow of a boat's lantern, similar to the headlight of a locomotive, is rigged. The boat is slowly propelled toward the birds on their feeding grounds. These, when the light approaches, sit with head and necks level, motionless, and paralyzed with fear. They may be approached within twelve feet. Moreover, the birds in their terror huddle together, so that when fire is opened on them the slaughter is great. After being shot at, they rise on the wing, and in their bewilderment often dash directly against the lantern. The effect of disturbing a wary bird like the goose after this fashion may be readily imagined. A single experience of the kind suffices to drive him panic stricken finally and forever from such localities. There is a law forbidding this practice; it is seldom or never enforced.

We now come to the dusking of ducks. This is likewise a fatal and reckless way of killing fowl. The black duck, spring-tail and teal feed usually close under the sedgy shores. During the day, so persistently have they been pursued, it is difficult to entice them to the decoys; consequently they are shot in the dusk of the evening, when the shades of night obscure objects, which experience has taught them to avoid. In the early evening the flash of a gun is visible at a great distance; the effect on birds using their feeding grounds is disastrous. Laws have been enacted against this method of killing ducks. They are likewise never enforced. On ever favorable occasion the shores are lined with gunners, who dusk birds far into the night. For days the particular locality is entirely deserted by these birds, which, when they do return, fly high in the air, and peer cautiously about them. To bring them within gunshot is impossible.

October 7, 1880. Wild fowl massacres. Indiana Democrat 19(24): 4. From Harper's Weekly. Obvious misspellings corrected.

Duck Shooting About Caw Caw Island - 1868

Correspondence of the Milwaukee News.

Club House - Caw Caw Island, Sept. 24th, 1868.

Under the general head of field sports, there is no phase of its varied and exciting amusement which combines so much of zest and exposure, with a skillful handling of the gun, as what is understood by sportsmen as water fowl shooting.

Duck shooting stands at the head of this rare list, and requires the best guns, and the most skillful judgment for its successful accomplishment. The advice of the French cook as to preparing a fowl for dinner, applies with most pertinent force to the sportsman -- especially with a teal down the wind at ninety miles per hour -- "first get your duck."

If there is a place in the wide world where good shooting will bag 20 to 40 brace of duck in a day, that place is Lake Horicon, an artificial reservoir of some sixteen by four miles dimensions, in the middle of which is situated "Caw Caw Island." The Caw Caw sporting blub-house, erected upon this island the most ample accommodations for their convenience, including the best "sportsmen's ranche" -- boats, dog-houses and general shooting outfit I have ever found at any camp.

Three years ago I was a visitor to the "Caw Caws' upon invitation of its whole souled president, Wm. Young, esq., of Milwaukee, and with a repetition of the same compliment, I am again a guest to testify to the agreeable fact that absence has not dulled the edge of hospitality.

The bogs and marshes which surround this lake furnish most excellent and abundant feed for the waterfowl which breed in its water. Up to this date the club have shot 2,000 ducks, everyone being a native, the flight of northern ducks not having yet set in. Every known species and all varieties of duck are bred here and their number is legion. I have seen them rise in their flight a morning and fairly blacken the sky, stretching away in straggling lines for miles along the shore. Over five thousand ducks were shot last year and sent in by the club to their friends. All of these were killed by single flying shots, no unfair means, such as swivel guns or batteries being permitted.

Not a luck shot by this club or any of its quests [word not legible] said the members being all gentlemen of character and means, pursue their sport and scorn the posthumous motive of pride.

No lord is allowed to spoil, no mere being taken than can be used. The game is being brought in is hung up, the "lagged" and directed to the persons intended for. Then by a [words not legible] at early hours in the morning, displayed from the club house staff, the indispensable [word not legible] is heralded to be in readiness with his term on arrival of the boats, which, after a two mile row, land us within half a mile of the "Crossing," where the Milwaukee & St. Paul cars take all on board at 9 a.m., for the former place, the game to be delivered on arrival by express.

Thus almost daily throughout the shooting season the feathered freebooters of Horicon are "Caw Cawed" and sent in as presents to friends in town.

The predominating fowl thus far has been "wood duck" and "red heads"; the latter was never before so abundant in these waters.

About the 1st of October we look for the northern duck, and those migratory visitors which come and go until the lake freezes over -- which is usually about December 1st. I have myself broken ice half an inch in thickness in October, to get in upon some point and been well repaid for the labor.

The "Ranch" or more explicitly -- the club house of the "Caw Caws," is an institution with ample sleeping accommodations for twelve persons -- just the number of its members -- usually not more than half at which are present -- and with "William" as expert (colored) cook, for caterer, there is no lack of comfort and good living. The printed rules of the club greet the visitor at the door, and once within its portals, [words not legible], social intercourse puts every man on his honor.

I observed that the flight of ducks was very unequal -- some days filling the sky from morn till eve -- while on other days, especially those of wind and storm, no ducks were moving. The daily and almost unceasing shooting about Caw Caw, is at a station on the Northwestern railway called Chester. This is a favorite resort for gunners from Chicago. It has a fine hotel, plenty of boats -- and here you get the first flight of ducks and geese as they come down from the north.

"Halloa!" there's a signal at the wharf, "Rye" (which in the only name I have heard given to a useful and kind hearted young man of all-work about camp) has just come in from Mioskey's with supplies. It does seem that no idea of comfort ever escapes the attention of Mr. Young. Here are baskets of peaches, boxes of grapes, tomatoes, fresh potatoes, milk and eggs. There is too much of luxury in this for a 'hunters camp.' I must go back into town where I can get plain fare.

This spot is one that may excite a sportsman envy. It is as far ahead of any ordinary camp as a metropolitan hotel surpasses a "hog and hornining travel" in Indiana.

The generous characteristics of the club may be inferred from a fact which I take pleasure in here giving to the public. Mr. Wm. Young had a favorite dog called Old Bang, who, after a life of service as a valuable retriever, died on the island, and was buried here. The club have erected over his grave a beautiful white marble monument.

It is of appropriate design, bearing upon its facade of sculptured likeness of Old Bang with a duck in his mouth, and his name in relief on top of the stone, the whole design being some thirty inches in height, and over, shadowed by a group of graceful trees.

McMaster.

September 26, 1868. Field sports in Wisconsin. Duck shooting at Caw Caw Island. Daily Milwaukee News 21(332): 4-5. Obvious misspellings have been corrected.

Duck Shooting at Cobb's Island in 1880

Baltimore, Jan. 31. — Dear Spirit: I send herewith a brief recital of a gunning excursion recently enjoyed by two of Baltimore's well-known sportsmen, Messrs. G.A. Rasch and J.W. Snyder. These gentlemen have been for some time noted for the precision and accuracy of their shooting, and their recent exploits add fresh laurels to their reputation. So decidedly successful and fortunate were there gentlemen that I feel assured these lines will be acceptable to your host of readers who may be interested in sporting affairs. Messrs. Rasch and Snyder left our city Tuesday of last week, and returned Friday morning of the present week. Deducting the time expended in traveling and the Sabbath of rest, about six days were employed in manipulating their breech-loaders. The result of their fusillade among the ranks of black mallards, brant, and geese was a grand and gratifying aggregate of 109 ducks and ten wild geese, which were distributed among their many friends. This is the "biggest" week's shooting that has been executed in the vicinity by any other brace of hunters, amateur or professional. Your readers interested in ducking will doubtless wish to know where such sport was obtained, and by what means the locality can be reached. I would, therefore, state in reply to such implied interrogatories that the place visited by these gentlemen was the well-known spot in Northampton County, Va., which is classically known as Cobb's Island. This island is situated in the waters of the Atlantic, and is in the neighborhood of 200 miles from our city. During the summer the hotel is well and largely patronized, but during the winter is but little frequented save by occasional gunning parties. The islanders are a hardy, obliging, and accommodating people, and do everything in their power to render the stay of strangers pleasant and agreeable. I would especially commend Mr. E.B. Cobb, "a native here and to the manner born," and Capt. C.H. Crumb, of the Life Saving Station, as gentlemen whose courtesy is as genial as their kindness is proverbial. As before mentioned, the island is but little frequented during the winter months; in consequence of this the hotel is not at present in operation, but a most excellent substitute is supplied by Messrs. Melson and Isdell. These gentlemen are the proprietors of a large packet, gunning boats, blinds, decoys, etc. Gunning parties find good, safe, and abundant accommodations on board the packet, and are transported to and from the ducking haunts by Messrs. Melson and Isdell. In consequence of having such good accommodations, convenient accessories, and thoroughly informed guides, it is no great matter of surprise that gunners invariably return from the island abundantly supplied with the game and exceedingly well pleased with their trip. It is a matter of surprise though, that the bang of more guns is not heard awakening the echoes of the ocean island. The fascination of duck-shooting, the certainty of success, and the pleasures of such a trip should be enough to make Cobb's Island the Mecca of our sportsmen. Having already trespassed too much upon your valuable space, I'll now close these rambling lines.

Uno

February 7, 1880. Traps and Triggers. Duck shooting in Maryland. New York Spirit of the Times 99(1): 9.

Maryland Duck Shooting on the Susquehanna Flats

Judge Gildersleeve, who is perhaps even better known as a rifle shot and sportsman than a jurist, has done recently some good shooting on the waters of Chesapeake Bay, where yearly immense numbers of wild fowl congregate. Sitting in his office the Judge described it.

"There is no better place for duck shooting," he said, "than the Susquehanna flats, near Havre de Grace, on the upper waters of the Chesapeake Bay. There the wild celery grows in abundance. This is the favorite food of the canvas back ducks, and it imparts a delightful flavor to their flesh. Consequently the canvas backs of that region are the very best. So, too, are the red heads that abound in that locality. These birds bring a higher price in the market than those shot in any other place that I know of. Now, as you probably know very well, duck shooting in Maryland is strictly protected by law, which provides that no shooting shall take place in the fall until November 1. Then it begins, but it is confined to Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. After January 1 the shooting is extended to Saturdays. But this added day doesn't amount to much usually, for by the holiday's the flats are generally frozen over, and the duck shooting comes to an end.

"And now a word about the modus operandi," the Judge continued. The best way to shoot ducks on the flats then is from a box, or a battery as it is called. This is simply a coffin-shaped, water-tight box, so weighted that when the hunter gets in its sides are nearly level with the surface of the water. On each side is a canvas-colored frame-work called a wing. These wings extend out over the water, and are intended to keep the waves from washing over the battery. When, however, there is a stiff wind blowing they not infrequently prove insufficient to keep the water out of the box. Then a strip of sheet iron four or six inches wide which is attached to the box is turned up, and it proves a sufficient barrier. In this box lies the hunter with his gun in his hands. Very often these boxes are placed in pairs, and two hunters occupy them. The laws of the State further demand that for each battery a license of $25 shall be paid. There is another license for $10, issued to what are called 'bushwhackers.' These are the men too poor to own a battery and outfit, and cruise around the flats and kill what they can. The first week in November is the most desirable for shooting, as you readily see, for then the birds are tamest and most plentiful, and then of course the batteries bring the highest prices. The first Monday morning in November found our party, which consisted of Col. E. Harrison Sanford, R.R. Haines, Arthur T. Sullivan and myself, sleeping soundly on the scow of Capt. George R. Carver, one of the best known and most successful duck hunters of Maryland. Capt. Carver has one of the most complete outfits in that section. It consists of a scow, batteries, decoys and small boats. The scow is a large flat-bottomed schooner-rigged craft, drawing little water. Forward is a kitchen complete, and aft is the cabin or dining saloon. There are comfortable bunks and everything is shipshape and right snug. The scow lay all night outside the lines. There are lines prescribed by law inside of which the scows and boats cannot go until after 3 o'clock on shooting days. Of course, on dark, stormy mornings some daring skipper will run it; but it is risky business. But at 3 o'clock the scows, many of which are lying all around the lines, hoist sail and make for the grounds. They choose the most likely spots, get far enough apart not to interfere with one another, anchor the batteries and put out the decoys. At about 5 o'clock the sportsmen are called, breakfast is served, and as soon as it is light enough to see they are rowed out to the batteries, where they take their places, and wait for the ducks.

"On that Monday morning we used a double battery, and two of us took our places. About us were 450 decoy red head and canvas back ducks. They were made of iron, and looked very natural. When we were in our places the men rowed back, the scow was anchored off at a good distance, and we waited. The morning dawned beautiful and clear. Soon we began to hear the popping of guns all around us, and very soon ducks came our way, and we began to do some popping ourselves. The day was perfect. The sun shoe warmly, and there was just breeze enough to make the ducks fly well. A battery is always placed so that the shooter lies with his head to windward and his feet to leeward. Ducks, when possible, fly up in the face of the wind when about to light. If a flock is flying right with the wind and decides to light, it makes a curve, swoops around, and comes up sharp in the face of the wind, so that a good duck shooting day should be rather windy. There we lay in our coffins, surrounded by decoys, and every few minutes we'd see over us, or to our right of left, a flock of ducks swerving around to join our decoys, which danced on the little waves in a very lifelike way. The time to shoot is just as the birds are about to light, or just as they see you and decide not to light. Under favorable conditions they come within fifteen or twenty yards. Then is the time to sit up in the box and bang away. New beginners make the mistake usually of firing at the flock, not at single birds. The result is poor execution. You must select your bird and kill him, and then go for another. Colonel Sanford and I tried the experiment several times of blazing away at the flock, but we usually missed all. This year, for the first time, I tried the experiment of using two guns, and succeeded several times in getting three birds, one with each barrel of my first gun, and the third with the first barrel of my second gun. This requires quick work. Sometimes we got two birds with one barrel, when they lapped each other as they flew."

"Is the trip expensive?"

"No. We take the train here at 4 in the afternoon arriving the afternoon for Havre de Grace, get there at 8:12 in the evening, go right aboard the sloop for all arrangements have been made, do our shooting, and get back here Thursday morning. For the use of the batteries we paid $150. That included everything, except about $1 for provisions. So you see, dividing the expense among four makes them quite reasonable. We could have paid all our expenses with the ducks we shot, and had something over. The first part of the season the best batteries bring $50 a day. That's what we paid. Later they come down to $40, but rarely less than that, for the owners can make that usually by shooting ducks for the market. I consider the time and money well spent, for it is rare sport."

November 23, 1880. Maryland duck shooting. Judge Gildersleeve's experience on the Susquehanna Flats. Chester Daily Times 9(1303): 2. From the New York Sun.