296 TRAP-SHOOTING. 



In case of a missfire, according to the rules of the 

 New York Club, if the cap explodes, the bird is 

 counted against the shooter, although his gun may 

 be properly loaded, he being responsible for the 

 cleanliness of the gun ; but in case the cap fails to 

 explode, he is allowed another bird. Other clubs 

 only require that the gun shall be properly loaded ; 

 and others score the bird as missed. If in double- 

 bird shooting one bird only rises, it used to be 

 counted to the shooter, and he was allowed another 

 bird in place of the one that failed to fly, thus really 

 shooting at two single birds. This was so mani- 

 festly unjust that the rule has been changed by the 

 State Association, and the shooter is required to 

 shoot at a fresh brace. The sportsman stands at 

 the score and directs the trapper when to pull ; he 

 must hold the butt of his gun beneath 1m elbow, but 

 usually drops his head, and bends his body into the 

 position it would take were the gun at his shoulder, 

 so that he merely has to raise his gun to his eye and 

 point it. In double-trap shooting, undoubtedly, the 

 marksman requires every advantage he can obtain, 

 and then will have many birds pass beyond range 

 ere he can fire; but where a single pigeon is pre- 

 sented, it would be advisable to require every con- 

 testant to hold his gun with the muzzle above his 

 head. Professional shots usually extend the arms 

 and assume an attitude, and gain an advantage that 

 would be impossible to them in game-shooting. 



The weight or character of gun and load of 



