CHAPTER XIV 
VARIOUS KINDS OF GUNNING-PUNTS 
So varied are the types of fowling-punts met with along our 
coasts that to attempt to describe each would not only re- 
quire more space than is here allotted to this subject, but 
would, I fear, be too complicated to be of any practical value. 
I think, therefore, it will be sufficient if I speak generally, 
making simple reference to the more widely differing 
crafts than to those closely, though not exactly, alike. 
To the person who is not conversant in punt-gunning, all the 
many kinds of shooting crafts are known to him as duck-punts 
or shooting-punts, whichever may be the general term of his 
district. As I have before mentioned, although we find a 
great variety of shooting-punts, they all more or less kill fowl. 
It is an undoubted fact that a punt (even a double) cannot 
be constructed to suit all quarters, or all purposes—i.e. one 
which would kill fowl in shallows and compete with equal 
success against a punt specially built for rough, open waters. 
It should not require much reasoning to see this. For each 
particular purpose we find punts specially designed. A happy 
medium is found in a general punt—one that will suit most 
purposes, even if we cannot manage it for all. Places— 
I mean fowling grounds—differ considerably in many respects, 
and to these we should pay close attention, and try to construct 
our punt, or have one constructed, in a manner most suitable 
to its surroundings. 
s 273 
