CHAPTER VII 
SHORE-SHOOTING 
Flutting 
Ir is my intention to describe the sport of shore-shooting in 
all its branches, viewed from a practical standpoint, and as 
applied to various quarters around our coasts. Each par- 
ticular shore has generally some characteristic peculiar to 
itself, which demands the adoption of special methods to 
obtain successful results. As well as describing these 
specialities and the application of suitable methods, reference 
will be made to the various weapons and tools used in this kind 
of sport. Besides acquainting himself with his gear, the 
shore-shooter who would excel in his sport must gain a 
considerable knowledge of his quarry and its habits subject 
to the various conditions of tide and weather. He must also 
learn much in the art of ‘‘shore craft.” If gifted with powers 
of mimicry, and thereby able to attract his birds by ‘‘calling,” 
his chances of good sport over those who are unskilled in this 
branch, are very considerable. 
I am afraid that it is a pretty general idea amongst gunners 
not conversant with wildfowling that shore-shooting is a mere 
matter of taking a gun and sauntering alongshore. No idea 
was ever more fallacious. With the exception of a stray, 
unwary fowl and a few of the smaller species of waders bagged 
at rare and occasional intervals, little will ever grace the leaves 
of his shooting diary. Possibly he may give up this class 
of shooting with an impression on his mind that it is not the 
mere bagatelle he had misjudged it to be, or, on the other hand, 
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