HINTS ON PUNTING TO FOWL 249 



single-handed punts is performed by first gaining "way" 

 on the punt, then taking powerful and deliberate strokes to 

 keep her going. A stop in a running tideway complicates 

 matters, for, paddling amidships, the utmost skill is required 

 to veer round and regain motion in the right direction. 



Setting, as far as pushing is concerned, may be soon 

 learned. It is the swing of the stroke as you lie flat, and 

 the power is given in such a direction as will assist you to steer. 

 The latter is done by side pressure on the spur ; yet, if the 

 shove is not properly given, with the correct amount of "pull 

 in," the steering is counterbalanced beyond repair, not so 

 much because the boat cannot be brought to bear on the fowl 

 quickly again, but because all forward motion for the time 

 must be lost in regaining the course. The use of the single 

 side-paddle in a double punt, as far as our experience teaches 

 us, is never of much service except under favourable conditions 

 of wind and tide, as it rather serves the purpose of steering 

 than propelling the punt. The art of using a spoon paddle lies 

 in being able to work it low over the side deck of the punt as 

 you lie on your back, facing front. 



Artificial devices have been employed whereby wildfowlers 

 who do not reside on the coast or near fowling quarters may 

 practise sculling and poling. We have personally never used 

 any of these appliances ; but we rightly recommend them in a 

 way as being of value in strengthening the wrist and generally 

 teaching or portraying to the mind of the beginner some idea 

 of the subject. It must not be supposed, however, that this 

 kind of practice is of any further assistance to practical work- 

 ing. Space will not permit much reference to this branch of 

 our subject, as it is away from the practical point. We simply 

 add that the method or arrangement for artificial practice is 

 such, that, by elastic-band tension on a scull working in a spur, 

 the punter gains a resistance and works against it, lying flat, of 

 course, in a similar position to that which he would have to 



