SHORE-SHOOTING 75 



supposed that having a gun which fits is all that is necessary 

 to become a good shot. It is invariably the case that the 

 most indifferent shots are those most faddy about gun-fitting. 

 A good shot will make fair practice with any gun, but, of 

 course, he will shoot best with a gun that fits him. Beyond 

 tendering information which can be applied according to the 

 learner's abilities, there are few things which can be committed 

 to paper likely to serve of actual practical value in learning 

 how to hit wildfowl. It is an art which can only be personally 

 acquired, though its acquisition may be assisted. The appear- 

 ance of the various species of shore-birds and wildfowl on the 

 wing, their misleading flights, and the distance they may be 

 from the gun, are all items of the greatest importance, and 

 require accurate calculation before the shooter pulls a trigger. 

 Wildfowl are extremely wary birds, and so are the larger 

 kinds of shore-birds. In shooting them perhaps as much art 

 lies in the manner of taking the shot as in placing the charge 

 of lead in the right place at the right moment. In shooting 

 from an ambuscade it is necessary to keep very still and 

 perfectly out of sight of approaching birds. Judge when 

 they are within range, and cautiously yet quickly steal the 

 gun to the shoulder, meanwhile keeping the muzzles dead 

 end on. If the first-barrel shot is successfully carried out 

 without the birds having previously detected your position, 

 then you can safely set it down that you have acted rightly. 

 At the report the birds will no doubt "toss." Now is your 

 chance for the second barrel. If they have caught sight 

 of you and "toss" before the first shot is fired, unless you 

 are smart the chances are very much against a double kill. 

 Do not move your gun-barrels from side to side. If this is 

 done they will glint in the light and alarm the approaching 

 birds. Another bad habit of the shore-shooter is to jump 

 up like a "jack-in-the-box" to take a shot. After such 

 unskilled movements a successful shot cannot be effected. 



