306 THE COMPLETE SHOT 



fed four times in the day, as at Netherby, where over 1000 ducks 

 have frequently been killed in one day. There they are penned 

 out exactly as pheasants generally are, in a field surrounded 

 with wire netting to keep out foxes. 



Obviously in no manner ever discovered can true wild duck 

 be killed in such numbers as these. That they have been 

 caught in numbers equally large in decoys, and could be shot 

 by taking them away from the decoys and letting them out a 

 few at a time in the neighbourhood of the guns, is certain, but it 

 never has been done, and a decoy is only used as a neck-breaking 

 trap to supply the markets with duck, widgeon, and teal. 



There is nothing whatever to be said against the hand rear- 

 ing of wild duck. If they are properly managed, they give far 

 harder and better shooting than pheasants ; especially is this the 

 case if they are left long enough to get their mature plumage. 



Some difference of opinion has arisen on the best size of 

 shot to use for wild duck. Probably No. 4 is the best size, if the 

 particular gun will shoot it well. The size to be most objected 

 to is No. 6, which has not penetration enough for the body shots 

 at any moderate range, and is not thick enough to make sure of 

 hitting head or neck. If the latter is to be relied upon, No. 7 

 is better than No. 6, but not better than No. 8. But if this 

 principle is adopted, only shots should be taken when the head 

 and neck is well in view, for from behind these sizes can only 

 wound. They wound a good deal in any case, but when duck 

 are coming anything like straight for the gun (which seldom 

 happens) body striking small pellets glance off like hail. No. 4 

 shot may not hit often enough to please shooters ; but duck 

 cannot take this size away apparently unharmed to die by 

 slow torture. For that reason it is the sportsman's size. The 

 neck and head shot please the shooter, because they alone inflict 

 sudden death in the air, and the work looks to be a clean hit 

 and a clean miss ; but when this appearance is obtained by the 

 use of small shot things are not what they seem. Nothing can 

 be said when the game comes down, but every bird missed 

 must be suspected of being " tailored." 



All game birds cling to the ground or the tree tops when 



