RED-HEAD DUCK SHOOTING. 203 
snow melts in the north it booms and rushes and roars, 
carrying everything before it. 
Once when shooting red-heads on this stream I picked 
my way out on a projecting point. I was there about 
two hours. During that time the river rose fully three 
feet, and but for a farmer I would have had to pass the 
night in a tree. Red-heads are as nice a bird to shoot as 
any duck in existence ; their flight is steady, strong, and 
regular. They do not pitch and dart like most ducks, 
but fly compactly together, straight ahead, with great 
velocity. They should be hunted with decoys, as they 
come to them prettily. While one should use decoys 
of their own kind, canvas-back answer nearly as well, 
and they will come in to blue-bills. Frequently when 
coming in they will pass by as if not seeing them. 
This is often done while going down wind. If the de- 
coys are seen, the ducks will usually circle and come 
back, alighting up wind. If they pass by, and the 
hunter thinks they haven’t seen the decoys, he should 
make a low chattering or cackling sound,—not loud, 
just so they can hear. They will then be attracted to 
the decoys and return. Some hunters let them light 
and fire the first barrel while on the water. I dislike 
this method and catch them while wings are outstretch- 
ed, and just above the water. Experience has taught 
me that the surest way to capture a crippled red-head 
is to kill it, and I always shoot them as soon as I learn 
they are crippled. It only takes from 1 1-8 to 1 1-4 oz. 
shot and is soon done. Don’t chase them with a boat. 
They are strong swimmers, very sagacious, and great 
divers. Instinct teaches them to do anything to avoid 
human beings. 
In placing out your decoys select some open spot 
