1800's Turkey Shoot?

[vtbuck223]

Does anyone know of good and accurate descriptions of mid to late 19th century turkey shoots. In my recent research they seem to have been quite prolific in this area. Old newspapers are full of notices but short on descriptions.

The following is a notice of an upcoming even in a local paper from November 1861; "There will be a shooting match at Johnson Flat, on Wednesday and Thursday, November 7th and 8th. Distance 80 rods, at 6 cents a shot; 100 turks to be set up. Nov. 1, 1861"

From what I understand 80 rods equals about 440 yards? That distance surprised me. I can only assume that only folks with fine target rifles were giving it a shot. Also...at that distance I would assume that the turkey was tied to a stake and was in the open...as opposed to the hiding behind the log and shooting it's head when it popped up.

Also....from what I understand 6 cents was roughly $2.00 in today money.

The one local post event description that I found in the paper stated the following; "A turkey shoot came of in our village with its usual accompaniments of "hustling", hooking and miscellaneous roguery. Another is in prospect at the Bend, in season for Thanksgiving"

Whatever "hooking" means....I don't know....but it sounds like a wild affair by this description.

Does anybody know of any good historical resources or period descriptions concerning turkey shoots?

 

[rijerolmon]

The term "Hooking" may pertain to a device best described as a wire rod approx. four feet long and bent somewhat like a sheperds crook used to hook the leg of a chicken or turkey. A lot easier than trying to capture one while getting flailed with wings and spurs.

 

[Zonie]

Then, there were/are also Hookers who might have been "hooking" clients?

After all, "miscellaneous roguery" covers a wide number of mischievous acts.

 

[tenngun]

Maybe an ld wives tail, but I understood "hooker" and 'hooking' came in after General Hooker alowed soldgers 'wifes' in camp when he was in command of the AOP in 62/3, I dont know how fast such a word could be come common.
How ever, I grew up thinking 'grog' was named for a british admril who wore a grossgrog coat, and was known as old grog during the seven years war. The name predates him by no less then 50 years.Then Cracker, a southrener named for cowbows in Florida, except it was used in Henery the fith by shakspeare 2 centurirs before. So...hooker could be older then Hooker.
the most important thing is I would save my 6 cents, as I dont think I could see a turkey 80 rod away.

 

[Nativearizonan]

I think it would depend on the background and the size of the turkey as to whether or not you could see it. It would be difficult at best, without optics, though. Optics, however, were available by that time period, so maybe the top competitors used them, which may have had something to do with the hustling.

Supposing you had a ML rifle capable of hitting such an object at 1/4 mile distant, there would not be much left to take home for Thanksgiving dinner after a body shot. I would assume the money was in side bets. Or maybe it was just about prestige.

I'm just guessing on hooking, but at that range with a ML, someone out of sight behind a barrier, upon seeing the smoke from a rifle, could give the turkey a jerk with a length of rope or a long hook, to make hitting it a bit more challenging if not just out right luck as you would have to miss in the right direction. The more shots it took to hit all the turkeys, the more money the organizer would make.

 

[vtbuck223]

Thanks all. Very interesting...these are good thoughts and help me to get a sense of what these events were all about. My first thought around "hooking" was similar to a carnival game...where the guy standing there is drawing people in....but the possibility of actually hooking the turkey is interesting.

I am curious as to who sponsored these events...township...private money making enterprise...local businesses....or fundraiser sponsored by a particular group?

As I think about where this event took place....it is still flat farmland...not developed at all....I am trying to create a picture in my mind as to what it looked like. The fact that it was a 2 day event...leads me to believe that there would be tents and at least some folks spending the night....probably frolicking well into the night. Travel in those days was slow....the train did run nearby but not sure if there was a stop or not.

Given the distance...you must be right that this was more about prestige...money....maybe a trophy...etc. It always amazes me...the accuracy that they were able to get using muzzleloaders during this period. They really worked at perfecting it...and the rifles were amazing. A 440 yard shot with modern equipment is farther than most would dare take.

These events were so popular....it surprises me that there aren't more descriptions or first hand accounts.

Sometime in the late 1800's there was a move to end the use of actual turkeys...it became illegal and was a fining offense...though I get the impression it continued "underground" and continued also in using only targets.

Thanks again...I appreciate your thoughts

 

[Sean Gadhar]

The Hook. (1) The bend in the corner of the winning card in three-card monte. Also called lug and ear. (2) An apparent advantage over the operator that the sucker sees on his own or has pointed out to him by an outside man or shill.

 

[Sean Gadhar]

:hmm: If you give it a broader meaning "a trick (or hook) that leads the "mark" to believe he is cheating you, thus getting him to risk his money on a sure thing (that is anything but)".

And crook being strait up dishonest....Where the mark does not think he is cheating you, however you are in fact cheating him.

:idunno: Then "By hook or by crook" has a vary understandable meaning.

And yes I just thought all that up :idunno: But it sounds...... :hmm: sound as a pound :wink:

 

[Nativearizonan]

I like the idea of carnival style hooking. That makes sense.

 

[vtbuck223]

It is interesting....to try and understand the exact connotation.

I did go back and do some research of the word "hooking" as used in local papers from around the same time. Many references seem to use it as a reference to stealing...but I am not sure if it sometimes has a nuanced meaning. For example in one instance from 1856 it is used in the following; "while under the cover of darkness each party was engaged in "hooking" from each other the "game" bagged during the day".(This was not specifically in reference to a turkey shoot)

Another example from 1839 says "the taking of timber without the consent of the owners, in common parlance called "hooking", is not in accordance with the spirit of the Gospel".

There were many others....but you get the general idea....

So....it may primarily refer to some form of stealing but also have a nuanced meaning depending on the context. I have found some other references to turkey shoots which suggests that they could be quite the event.

 

[ToothPick]

A turkey shoot came of in our village with its usual accompaniments of "hustling", hooking and miscellaneous roguery.

Maybe some form of playing Hooky?

"stay away from school or work without permission or explanation."

Did people shirk work and school to participate in the match or betting?

 

[Rifleman1776]

Grog is a Scandinavian drink made at the holiday season. It is, essentially, a mix of fruit juices with added alcohol up to around 140 proof.

The turkey shoots I have read about put the bird behind a log and one shot as he popped his head up. At 60 yards that would be a heckava challenge.

 

[tenngun]

Hadn't heard the Scandinavian grog. It was used for the run water mix served aboard warships. The Brits got a 4 oz serving of rum, 2 oz with water at noon, two on the dog watch at 4 or 6 in the afternoon. Was called grog before the 1740s

60 yards seems a little nicer shot.... Shades of drug York :haha:

 

[vtbuck223]

I have seen the York clip showing the turkey shoot. Also, Cooper has a nice description in the Pioneers....published in 1823....but meant to represent an earlier time. In the latter....the turkey was behind a stump at 100 yards. I am sure that there were places where turkey shoots continued to employ this method....however...in this area.... distance target shooting and target rifles became the focus....and I think that best explains the shift from one era to another.

As to the grog and other spirits....I am sure that it contributed to the excitement. A well documented incident following a turkey shoot in neighboring NY state....had 2 under the influence gents recreate the William Tell shot.....with the guy who put the apple on his head....being surprised that his friend actually took the shot and for a moment thought he was dead after the bullet grazed the top of his head and knocked him down.

 

[tenngun]

There was the Fink incedent. I demostrated at a tourist event that it was a poor idea for even a good shot. Set an old tin cup on an empty soda can. Bang, cup exploded, soda can smashed flat. Even a ball though the cup could ruin your day. Plus waisting good sippin' whisky.

 

[Dean2]

A turkey shoot came of in our village with its usual accompaniments of "hustling", hooking and miscellaneous roguery.

Maybe some form of playing Hooky?

"stay away from school or work without permission or explanation."

Did people shirk work and school to participate in the match or betting?

Back in the day, Hooking was used to denote a type of theft that did not involve direct confrontation or violence. Whereas hustling was a form of con work, like three card monty, hooking was the rough equivalent of what we consider non-violent theft of property such as pick pocketing, stealing unattended valuables and baggage etc. Similar to using a "Hook" to pull livestock in a direction, you "Hooked" the property from under the owners sight or control; without them even knowing it.