Having worked out the wheat stubhle and the food
patch, hunters tackle heav^ weeds in ravine. Each
formance percentage on Illinois shooting areas,
but well within the maximum "take” of 70 per
cent permited by state law. Hunters were per
mitted to shoot both cocks and hens, and the av
erage bag was almost exactly four birds, which is
considered "par for the course” under the Nilo
plan.
On days when his attendance at field trials was
not required, T. W. "Cotton” Pershall, manager
of The Nilo Kennels, accompanied one shooting
party of four, with one of his assistants, Elbert
Cummings or Avery Symington, handling the dogs
for a second party, if one was necessary. Occa
sionally guests were permitted to bring their own
dogs, but in general, most parties were accompan
ied by a brace of Nilo dogs. Breeds used included
pointers, setters, Brittany spaniels and Weimeran-
ers. If members of each hunting party voiced no
preference of breeds, pointing dogs were used.
Occasionally, however, visitors expressed the de
sire to hunt over National Retriever Champion
King Buck, and other Labrador retrievers in Nilo’s
field trial string.
On the basis of the season’s performance, Mr.
Pershall was able to say that the breed of dog
used made little difference in the total bag, but
naturally, the type of hunting differed, depending
on whether pointing, springing or retrieving dogs
party is routed by guides to take advantage of
natural hiding instincts of liberated pheasants.
wer-e used. Few wounded birds were lost—none
at all in open country. Several impenetrable
brushpiles afforded refuge for the few "runners”
that escaped after being hit.
Jack S. Thatcher, area supervisor, and Clair
Milliken, resident manager, impersonated "Farm
er Smith” and "Farmer Jones” in all shooting
activities. Theoretically, these are the two men
necessary for the operation of the Nilo plan of
controlled shooting. In general, one man greet
ed and registered hunters and guided one shooting
party. The other planted pheasants and acted as
second guide. By correlating their activities, all
lost motion was eliminated. All safety precautions
were observed religiously. Because many shooters
were Company guests from distant points, Chas.
H. Hopkins, the Company’s director of Conserva-
tion, served as official host, assisted by Charles E.
Gillham, technical adviser for the Nilo project.
Since the Nilo technique is intended for adop
tion by others possessing the necessary acreage, a
model plan of operation is available to all in
quirers. This includes cost figures on materials
needed for the construction of holding pens, a
brooder pen, a brooder house, and other essential
equipment. However, it is pointed out that the
average farmer or sportsmen’s group need not fol-
CONTINUED . .