XIV 



TO FORM A DUCK CLUB, OR SYNDICATE 



HT'HE necessity for the employment of a gamekeeper 

 ^ when the restoration, propagation and practical 

 protection of wild fowl is undertaken in populous regions 

 is evident. The most expensive items incident to the 

 rearing of wild ducks for sport are the wages of the 

 gamekeeper and the food for the ducks. The shooting 

 rental is a small item, comparatively, in America, since 

 ground suitable for duck rearing can be rented for shoot- 

 ing purposes for a few cents per acre.* 



When a farmer, or a sportsman residing in the country, 

 undertakes to rear wild ducks and looks after them per- 

 sonally, very good sport can be had at little or no ex- 

 pense, because the sale of some of the ducks and eggs 

 will pay the food bill, and, of course, there is no rent. 1 



*The rentals paid for many upland preserves are from 5 to 10 cents 

 per acre, or from ?32 to $64 per square mile, per annum. Lands suitable 

 for ducks which are only worth a few dollars per acre should be rented 

 for less than the amounts n; Tied. 



1 Captain Oates says: "I am of the opinion that, provided a man feeds 

 and looks after his ducks himself, is in possession of a supply of coops 

 and runs, and is fortunate enough to have a suitable piece of water of 

 his own, as well as a lot of ground to rear them on, that he can make 

 his accounts balance at the end of the year. In other words, he will be 

 able to give his friends some very enjoyable shooting, and supply him- 

 self with a hobby of which he will never be tired at no expense to him- 

 self." "Wild Ducks." By Captain W. Coape Oates. This valuable little 



106 



