IN TBE MARSH 131 



you will surely get good shooting. This is the impres- 

 sion fixed on the mind of every young hunter. If the 

 reader has that thought, and seriously believes it, ask 

 an experienced duck-hunter if he don't usually have 

 good shooting on warm, calm days. The only advantage 

 on blustering days is, that birds flying against the wind 

 fly slower and lower. My experience has been that some 

 of the finest shooting may be had on the warmest, 

 calmest days. One September afternoon, three years 

 ago, I had as good shooting as one could wish for. The 

 day was simply delightful, no wind and very warm. 

 This was only one of many days of the same kind that 

 I have experienced. The day I like for ducks is the 

 day they are in their feeding grounds, and then it makes 

 no particular difference whether the wind blows mild- 

 ly or strong, whether the day is warm or cold. 



Never mind ! Don't shoot unless you are sure of 

 killing. They have been feeding here, and will come 

 back much sooner, and present better shots, if we don't 

 frighten them by shooting. Nice place here for them, 

 isn't it ? Plenty of rice, and far enough from shore, 

 so " stalkers and hoosiers " can't sneak them. This 

 pond must be fully one hundred yards long ; that is, 

 counting the little neck where you see so many dried 

 pond lilies, and at least sixty yards wide. I will push 

 the boat out so you can place the decoys where we want 

 them. Take that smallest sack first, of red-heads. 

 Throw them out in the open water ; they have weights 

 on, and will come right side up. Don't be afraid to 

 stand up, the boat won't upset or rock. I have hunted 

 too much to have a cranky boat. Years ago I shot 

 quickly from a cranky boat ; didn't hurt the boat 

 any, but I went out backward, head first, into water 



