RIVER-DUCK SHOOTING 205 



of capturing river-ducks, and since I prefer pursuit to 

 ambush, I like this form of sport the best. 



In many of the fresh-water marshes there is suffi- 

 cient water for the ducks to swim and for a light boat 

 to move about through the tall reeds, rushes, and wild- 

 rice. The sportsman having taken his place in the 

 boat is pushed rapidly along by a punter, who propels 

 the boat with a long pole. Many of the ducks which 

 are scattered about in the reeds arise within range, and 

 there is often opportunity for a double shot. The 

 shots, I should say, from the moving boat, are more 

 difficult than many of those from ambush over the 

 decoys, but since the birds are rising from the water 

 and are not under full headway when the gun is fired, 

 the shots are less difficult than those at travelling 

 ducks when the shooting is from points or passes. 

 This method of pursuit reminds one of rail-shooting, 

 and I have often shot both the large and the smaller 

 rails when engaged in jumping ducks. 



Much here depends upon the punter. He should 

 know well how to handle the boat, to send it swiftly 

 through the reeds, to steady it for the shot ; and 

 should be able to mark closely the dead and wounded 

 birds. He should be familiar with the marshes, know 

 where the boat can go, and where and when the ducks 

 are most abundant. 



Such men I have shot with many days on the 

 marshes of the Kankakee, and such there are at the 

 duck clubs about Sandusky Bay, the St. Clair flats, 

 and on the marshes about the Illinois, and in fact, 

 everywhere I have been. Their services are of course 

 greatly in demand at the duck clubs, where they 



