GUNNING SLOOP AND DECOY BOAT 



the quickest and most comprehensible. 



Having determined where to rig out, 

 the sloop is brought to an anchor, the 

 gunner has taken soundings, a de2th of 

 four feet may be the result. 



The first thing is to get the box over 

 the side, then the head fender is at- 

 tached. Different gunners have differ- 

 ent methods. 



The next thing is generally the plac- 

 ing of the weights in position, the ob- 

 ject being to bring the box level with 

 the water when the sportsmen take 

 their position. (At a distance of ioo 

 yards, a box and the men within it are 

 invisible). 



The box is then anchored fore and 



aft, the head fender facing the wind. 

 Then the decoys are placed around in 

 such shape as to, if possible, draw the 

 attention of the wild cluck to the foot 

 of the box, as it is difficult to shoot 

 birds swinging in at the head. 



In the case of the wind shifting, it is 

 always necessary to adjust the box, ob- 

 serving the same law as in the original 

 rigging, i. e., head fender to the wind. 

 The purpose of this fender, which is 

 composed of long laths and strong 

 cloth, is to break the force of the sea. 

 Another precaution against rough 

 water is a strip of lead around the edge 

 of the box, which can be raised at will. 



Having placed the men, guns and 



PLAN — NOS. I AND 3, WINGS/ 2, BOX; 4, FENDER. 



ELEVATION — I, BOX; 2, FENDER; 3, HEAD ANCHOR; 4, STERN ANCHOR 



