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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 



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. 



