HOW TO CARRY THE GUN. 35 



HOW TO CARRY THE GUN. 



IT is very important for the young sportsman to 

 know how to carry the double-barrelled shot-gun 

 correctly, when in the field ; so that he may be always 

 ready for the springing of a bird on the wing, or for 

 the jump of a rabbit or hare from his nest. Many- 

 hunters who would otherwise be fair sportsmen are 

 so careless in carrying their fowling-pieces that they are 

 never ready, but stumble along over the shooting- 

 ground, unable, for want of system, to bring their gun 

 to the shoulder in time. 



System is as necessary in the field as in the count- 

 ing-room or manufactory. Without order and method 

 no one can succeed in anything. Let the young 

 sportsman, therefore, adhere to fixed rules in carrying 

 and handling his gun, and he will ever be ready to 

 shoot his game when a good chance opens ; nor will 

 he run the risk of killing his friends who may accom- 

 pany him in his excursions. 



After seeing that your gun is on the half or full- 

 cock (if expecting game, I carry mine at full-cock), 

 carry it in such a position that, if it should accident- 

 ally discharge itself, your companion may not be hurt. 

 Doubtless it is difficult always to do this. When 

 carrying the gun a great distance, through a long and 

 tedious day's tramp, every change in its position 



