258 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



taking matters generally, only treat with the flow, high water, 

 and ebb at tidal quarters. 



On the rise of the tide the fowler works up with the flow 

 and so benefits from its influence. His advantages are greater 

 at this time than at any other, for he can steal up a creek to 

 within range of the fowl and await the tide, which will lift his 

 punt into position for taking a shot. At high water shots are 

 more constant in form, almost as much so as shooting on a 

 lake or some other non-tidal water. On the ebb of the tide 

 good punt-gun shots are often obtained ; but as the water is 

 rapidly shallowing they are not nearly so easy to negotiate as 

 on the flow, when owing to the water rising the punter is 

 unlikely to get stranded for long. Except where large 

 channels run out into the main water, shots on the ebb are 

 most impracticable. At low water it is a matter of gaining 

 draught of water to float a punt within range of fowl. Very 

 little tidal influence is felt at low tide, when fowl (especially 

 ducks) are mostly asleep on the sands or mud, sometimes 

 within range of punting water, at other times miles from it. 

 Always remember that following wildfowl against the tide or 

 wind, and, worse, both these together, is bad, and not con- 

 sidered clever wildfowling, besides being, in nine cases out of 

 ten, hard — yes, very hard — labour in vain. Of course, we 

 cannot always have all things as we should like them ; never- 

 theless if you be wise, endeavour to work so that the tide, 

 wind, etc., assist you, then at least one great difliculty in punt- 

 gunning is overcome. 



Experience, combined with a little forethought with regard 

 to the times of the tides and the art of the wind, will generally 

 enable one to eliminate the effects of opposing elements at any 

 particular fowling-ground of which the gunner has gained 

 any previous knowledge, and previous knowledge is always 

 indispensable to the wildfowler afloat, before he takes risks 

 on his own responsibility. A guide in the punt or in a 



