is red oak acorns. But they are also

is red oak acorns. But they are also quite partial to grapes, beechnuts, other types of acorns and, in the spring, large insects. Clay found even a well-buffed .22 shell in the craw of a wild turkey in New York state one time.

He recommends areas bordering creeks or rivers, where an abundance and variety of trees grow. It’s good turkey habitat. He also points out that these flirtive birds often live for generations right under the noses of the uninitiated.

Both he and Weakley say that a few thoughtless hunters seem to have turned off a lot of farmers to permitting use of their lands. But, where you can find a willing fanner in this area, you can expect to pay $1.50 per acre to hunt on his land, which is cheaper than the going prices west of the Blue Ridge and 25 cents better than prices being asked in the Carolines.

Turkey hunters, who normally wear not only camouflage coveralls and hats but face masks as well, so they can sit with gun at the ready, undetected by the keen eyes of a flock they have scattered and then attempt to call in, are reminded that as of Monday and through the end of deer season (Jan. 2 east of the Blue Ridge, Nov. 28 in the Shenandoah Valley), they must have at least 100 square inches of solid blaze orange within arm’s reach. This new law is to protect hunters, 11 of whom died of gunshot wounds in the Commonwealth last season.

Clay says it will also keep a lot more turkeys alive this fall. Unlike deer, these colorftil birds are not color blind.

Old Christmas

at Oatlands

An authentic Victorian Christmas takes place daily through Dec. 27 at Oatlands, an 1803 Greek Revival mansion six miles south of Leesburg, Va.

Tows are Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and from 1-5 p.m. on Sundays. Oil Saturday evenings, candlelight tours are held from 6-9 p.m. Cost is $5 per person for the daytime tours, $6 per person for the Saturday candlelight tours.