SHOOTING THE DUCK AT SEA 25 



shot, aims true, and then picks up his score or two of 

 beautifully plumaged birds ; but it must be observed 

 that this is no easy matter except under the most 

 favourable conditions of wind and tide. After such 

 a shot, a rest, a pull at his flask, and a look at the 

 spoil, he vows that wild-fowl-shooting is about as hard 

 and as exciting a sport as can be imagined. If, when 

 in shot, he misses, which is an extremely easy thing 

 to do, it only makes him more anxious to succeed 

 better next time, and his one fear is that he will not 

 have another equally good chance. A sportsman 

 once touched with the fever of wild-fowl-shooting afloat, 

 or who has once felt the charm of success in this 

 fascinating and scientific sport, will never give it up 

 so long as his strength will stand the exposure it is 

 necessary to undergo.' 



A whole host of other people, shooting-people 

 this time, hold ideas on the subject of wild-fowling 

 which practical experience would very soon dispel. 

 The chief of these ideas is that with regard to the 

 degree of sport which falls to the lot of the average 

 fowler on our coasts. People think the punt-gunner 

 makes infinitely better bags than he really does. I 

 suppose this erroneous impression I have found it 

 almost general among inland shooting men is the 

 outcome of reading wild-fowling matter in the press. 



