254 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
those without elevating crutches) must be fixed at the distance 
they are set for, if good results are to be attained. With 
elevating gear, set ten inches from the centre of the gun at the 
crutch to the water-level, and align the gun at a floating mark 
eighty yards distant, using the movable gun-rest for the purpose. 
You now know that when your gun bears on the birds they are 
eighty yards from you. If a nearer shot can be got, lower 
the gun and run out the rest, at the same time keeping the gun 
LOOSE PULLEY rite 
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Elevating Gear for Punt-Gun 
on the fowl. You will then keep the gun at a right height for 
a nearer shot. If the shot has to be taken before the eighty 
yards range is neared, then the gun should be quickly 
heightened. An expert punter would, no doubt, set high for 
a hundred yards shot or over, and lower to suit the range as he 
approached the fowl. But this requires a full acquaintance 
with the gear employed, and perfect judgment of distance. 
The right moment to take a sitting shot at fowl needs 
personal experience to determine. Our few short hints on the 
point, I fear, will only partly assist. Time must do the rest. 
