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About Decoys, 

 DucK Calls, Etc 



The value to the duck 

 hunter of good decoys 

 when shooting from shore 

 or boat blinds, cannot be 

 over estimated, as by 

 their use many a flock of 

 birds are deceived into 

 approaching, and even 

 settling- amongst what 

 appears to be a cozy and 

 safe retreat or feeding 

 grounds; not realizing the 

 fraud until the sportsman 

 has thinned their ranks, 



by quick and deadly shooting. These are now 

 considered as a most important part of the duck 

 hunter's outfit, and are made in infinite variety of 

 forms; so deceptive in appearance as to often get 

 shot at by the sportsmen who are using them, who 

 at times can barely distinguish them from the real 

 thing-. They are made of wood (folding) in imi- 

 tation of Mallard, Canvas Back, Red Head, Blue 

 Bill, Pin Tail, Widgeon, Sprigtail, Blue Winged 

 Teal, etc (even with glass eyes) weighing when 

 packed, from 7 Ibs. per dozen to 3O Ibs. Again 

 they are made of waterproof cloth over wire 

 frames, with anchors complete, each being a size 

 of 16x14x7 inches; being very compact and weigh- 

 ing about i Ib. each; a dozen of which packs into 

 the handy box shown in illustration which 

 heads this chapter. Others of canvas, all painted, 

 durable and lifelike, weighing 7 to 14 Ibs. per doz. 

 according to grade and kind. 



If geese decoys are desired, these are made so 

 as to be set up on land for field shooting 1 , weigh- 

 ing from 14 to 24 Ibs. a dozen, according to grade 

 and price. In the matter of "Calls" many sports- 

 men of long experience can imitate and send forth 

 calls with a degree of marvelous imitation, while 

 others cannot even pucker up their lips and whis- 

 tle. For this all sorts of excellent calls are pro- 

 vided, among which the "Allen Duck Call" has 



41 



