INLAND DUCK-SHOOTING. 131 



In order to have success in shooting over decoys, the 

 hunter must use good judgment in putting out his 

 decoys. Look over your land well before you set them 

 out; they must be set so that the ducks will notice them, 

 and at the same time not be scared away by them. Do 

 not place them too close together, but set them so that 

 they will show well from all directions. 



After you have found a good place to set out the 

 decoys, in a situation where you can make a blind, put 

 them out about twelve or fifteen feet apart. If you 

 expect to shoot mallards alone, six or eight decoys are 

 enough, but if you expect to shoot deep-water ducks, 

 you may put out fifty. I do not think there is any dan- 

 ger of putting out too many. Deep-water ducks like a 

 great deal of company. When you find the ducks have 

 come, you will need to be at your ground before day- 

 break, so that when the day dawns you will be all ready 

 to put out the decoys. Put them out as fast as possible 

 after you commence. It is better to have someone to 

 manage your boat for you, then you can set them very 

 rapidly. As soon as the decoys are out, get into the 

 blind and load your gun, as you will wish to be ready 

 for the first duck. 



Here comes a mallard, quacking as she comes along. 

 She has seen the decoys. If it is too dark for you to 

 shoot her on the wing, you can let her light, as she will 

 be sure to. If you do not wish to have her light, shoot 

 when she is settling over the decoys. Shoot directly at 

 her, as she is making but very little headway. If you 

 are in a place where there is but little or no current, and 

 but little wind, let the ducks lie, as you will need to 

 be out of sight and ready when other ducks come. 

 Soon after day-break is the best time for decoy shooting. 



But here comes a bunch of blue-bills. How they do 

 fly! They have not seen the decoys yet. If you can 



