258 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
taking matters generally, only treat with the flow, high water, 
and ebb at tidal quarters. 
On the rise of the tide the fowler works up with the flow 
and so benefits from its influence. His advantages are greater 
at this time than at any other, for he can steal up a creek to 
within range of the fowl and await the tide, which will lift his 
punt into position for taking a shot. At high water shots are 
more constant in form, almost as much so as shooting on a 
lake or some other non-tidal water. On the ebb of the tide 
good punt-gun shots are often obtained ; but as the water is 
rapidly shallowing they are not nearly so easy to negotiate as 
on the flow, when owing to the water rising the punter is 
unlikely to get stranded for long. Except where large 
channels run out into the main water, shots on the ebb are 
most impracticable. At low water it is a matter of gaining 
draught of water to float a punt within range of fowl. Very 
little tidal influence is felt at low tide, when fowl (especially 
ducks) are mostly asleep on the sands or mud, sometimes 
within range of punting water, at other times miles from it. 
Always remember that following wildfowl against the tide or 
wind, and, worse, both these together, is bad, and not con- 
sidered clever wildfowling, besides being, in nine cases out of 
ten, hard—yes, very hard—labour in vain. Of course, we 
cannot always have all things as we should like them ; never- 
theless if you be wise, endeavour to work so that the tide, 
wind, etc., assist you, then at least one great difficulty in punt- 
gunning is overcome. 
Experience, combined with a little forethought with regard 
to the times of the tides and the art of the wind, will generally 
enable one to eliminate the effects of opposing elements at any 
particular fowling-ground of which the gunner has gained 
any previous knowledge, and previous knowledge is always 
indispensable to the wildfowler afloat, before he takes risks 
on his own responsibility. A guide in the punt or in a 
