The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

The Wisdom Of Barnyard Bruke: "Halloween, Hunt'n Season in South Dakota, More Lessons from The 40's and 50's"

Greetings ta ever one in western Illinois and all readers of The Quill.

I'm a hope'n this week's column finds ever one in good spirits and enjoy'n life as the Good Lord hands it out ta ya.

Well, next week is Halloween. I'm a hope'n ya all has a nice big pumpkin picked out fer carven a face inta it with a bright candle fer to light up the art work. It is always fun build'n memories by do'n that job with the chillens and grandchillens.

Save the not so good shaped pumpkin fer make'n pie. MMM how can ya beat homemade pumpkin pie with a generous help'n of whipped cream cover'n the top of it. I cain't wait already.

Last weekend was open'n pheasant hunt'n season in South Dakota. There are several from this area that went up. They brought back their limit in every instance. It seems numbers of birds are up 40% in that territory. Was a good year fer hatch'n and raise'n the birds.

When a feller goes up there ta hunt, it don't matter if'n ya bags a bird or not, although bag'n a bird does add to the excitement. The real joy is watch'n the bird dogs work and enjoy'n the great outdoors.

There are so many birds up in that neck of the woods that a flush'n bird dog is often preferred over a "pointer". There is so much scent around that a pointer has a difficult time of it.

Around these parts, when their was plenty of birds ta hunt, many fellers preferred No. 6 shot fer their shotgun shells. In South Dakota No. 5 shot is often used and many folk prefer No. 4 because there is less cripples and runners. Late in the season, when it is really cold up there, No. 4 does the best. The birds are tough and wary and get up at further distances. That's what gett'n a little lead in your tail feathers seems ta teach ya.

Most lads when they were first hunt'n, way back when, started out with a single barrel 410 gauge shotgun. Now a days many fellers use 12 gauge semi-automatics fer pheasants. They shoot their cannons so rapidly that it seems they simply throw lead in the air and let the pheasant fly into the pattern.

A young boy with a 410 shotgun that could bag a pheasant was pretty good shot. Use'n a single barrel gun he had no lead to spare. We was taught ta throw a tin can in the air and shoot it with a BB gun whilst airborn. Make the gun follow the eye, not the other way around. When ya could consistently hit the can ya was ready ta hunt pheasant and quail with a 410 single shot shotgun. Ya was also prepared ta provide a good supply of rabbit fer the family table.

Someone asked fer more lessons learned on the farm whilst grow'n up in the 40's and 50's.

Well here we go with some more:

• Mean dogs don't necessarily bark...
• Dog bites do heal after awhile...
• A blade of grass is a good way ta test an electric fence ta see if it's work'n.
• It is better ta let your brother or friend prove the grass fer electric fence test'n.
• Don't climb out on a weak tree limb...
• Broken arms eventually heal.
• Sett'n fence rows on fire in the fall can destroy common stalk borers and other overwinter'n insects.
• Try'n ta put out a run away fence row fire destroys your shirt and jacket as ya try ta put the fire out. The fire department may forgive ya but not right away.
• Young visit'n city girl cousins see little humor when ya tease them with a bull snake.
• Young cousins teased with a snake can hold a grudge well into old age.
• Shoot'n out barn window panes with a BB gun will let the flies out so they don't bother the cows.
• Fathers do not appreciate innovative fly control and they can express their disappointment with a strong peach twig.
• Lessons learned from a strong peach twig tend ta be rather permanent such that flies can remain in the barn.
• Bumble bees can be killed use'n a wooden paddle with holes drilled in it.
• Bumble bees that have been swatted at by a wooden paddle and missed can sting multiple times in their anger.
• Warm moist mud on bumble bee stings seems ta help. Tobacco juice is better.
• Don't wear a red shirt near a mad bull.
• Don't wear any kind of shirt near a mad bull.
• Sell mad bulls.
• Pick a skunk up by the tail and he can't spray ya.
• Once you've picked a skunk up by the tail, then what do ya do.
• Tomato juice might take away skunk smell from a feller sprayed by a skunk once held by its tail.
• If your family dog gets sprayed try'n ta protect ya once you've turn a skunk loose by the tail, a good remedy fer your dog : 1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/2 cup baking soda. 3 teaspoons liquid dish soap. Apply liberally but watch animals eyes. Let it work a bit, then rinse with water. Don't premix ahead of time as peroxide really bubbles and makes a mess.
• If'n a rabbit runs slow- let it go.
• Rabbit fever is dangerous - funerals are permanent.
• Don't wear loose clothing around tumbling rods.
• Don't let anyone talk you into snipe hunt'n.
• It's a long walk home after snipe hunt'n.
• Hunt'n rabbits while skate'n on frozen cricks is not safe.
• A shot gun with snow in the barrel blows up.
• Don't use dynamite ta charivari your newly wed neighbor.
• It is expensive ta repair dynamite damage and a strained relationship is hard to repair.
• Newly wed wives see little humor in excessive charvari.
• As many years go by, most newly wed wives can forgive excessive charivari'n. Let's say 50 years or more. It is to soon ta tell fer sure.

Well there ya has it then, more lessons from the 40's and 50's. There are many more but this should do ya fer a spell. Don't forget a generous supply of goodies fer them youngn's trick or treat'n fer Halloween.

Hope'n to see ya in church this week.

Wherever ya is, whatever ya be a do'n "BE A GOOD ONE!"

Keep on Smile'n

Catch Ya Later

BARNYARD BRUKE