GEESE 277 



platform for shooting from, the inherent difficulties of 

 the situation will be appreciated. I recollect being 

 much dissatisfied with myself when I first tried to kill 

 brent geese and other fowl under these conditions ; 

 but, as with other things, a greater or less amount of 

 proficiency is to be acquired with practice, and the 

 sea-going wild-fowler need not be discouraged by a 

 want of success on his first attempt. 



When the weather has been suitable I have, whilst 

 sailing to fowl, made some highly satisfactory shooting 

 with powerful 4- and 8-bore guns. Certainly thus to 

 cruise about is a most charming feature of the sport, 

 and this is not all, for, viewed from a purely practical 

 standpoint, it is evident much ground may be covered 

 in a day when sailing to fowl ; therefore, in a general 

 way, more shots will be obtained than would be possible 

 when shore-walking. By this means, hundreds of brent 

 geese, mallard, and other fowl may be found two or 

 three miles out at sea, and in other situations where it 

 would be impossible to venture with a punt. 



Wild-fowlers desirous of avoiding some of the damp 

 and dirty accompaniments of shooting from a punt may 

 have a swivel-gun affixed in the bow of a fast sailing- 

 boat or small yacht of light draught. They will thus be 

 able to pursue fowl in the rougher waters and, by firing 

 from these heavy guns a pound or more of shot, to 

 greatly extend their killing range beyond the limit 

 attainable by the heaviest shoulder-guns. It will be 

 possible thus to obtain occasional shots at brent geese 

 and the larger fowl in water so rough that the fowling- 

 punt could not live therein five minutes. In this way 

 a successful shot may result in a dozen or so of brent 

 geese, mallard, or wigeon being bagged. 



