224 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



Of course, if built with second-hand wheels and springs (say, 

 half-worn rully wheels), a wagon of this class might be obtained 

 for less. 



In loading up a gunning-punt, put as few things inside the 

 punt as possible. Oars, masts, sail, paddles, etc., may travel 

 inside the punt, but the gun-case, magazine, boxes, etc., are 

 better when lashed alongside the punt. 



The carriage of punts by rail is very expensive ; why, we 

 do not exactly know. Probably it is their length that incurs 

 extra charge. We do know that the same weight as a punt, 

 if stowable, costs a great deal less for carriage than the punt 

 does, for an equal distance. A large double punt will be 

 charged for at the rate of about £2 los. per two hundred miles 

 in the British Isles. Short distances, up to twenty miles, are 

 cheaper travelled by road — at least, as far as our experience 

 goes. 



The punt-shooting sportsman cannot do better than invest 

 in a punt-house. A more useful thing to the wildfowler can 

 hardly be imagined. In it he has a shelter at all times, when 

 necessary, from the inclemency of the weather, a safe and 

 suitable storage for the punt gun, and all other gear which, if 

 not well and safely housed, soon show abuse from constant 

 exposure to the weather and the mauling they from time to 

 time receive from inquisitive, prowling "mouchers." Genuine 

 shore-shooters do not, as a rule, harm punters' gear ; yet 

 curiosity often incites them to meddle with and unintentionally 

 damage it. On this score we advise not to lock the cockpit 

 cover of a punt when left outside, for it is pretty certain to be 

 broken open, not with an idea of stealing anything, but out of 

 sheer inquisitiveness to see what is inside. Oars, poles, etc., 

 should, however, be chained and locked to a ring-bolt inside 

 the punt, or, if left loose, they may, on your return, be found to 

 have disappeared, if only stolen for firewood ! 



Punt-houses are best built in sections, for then they can be 



