Duck Shooting.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 22 April 1890, Page 2

Duck Shooting.

The season opens on the first of May. Every one goes shoo ing whether versed in the sport or otherwise— chiefly otherwise. To guard the innocent from harm we have drawn up a few hints which they will rind of the greatest consequence, and even older shootists will often admit the force of them, before the season is over. Of courso to shoot it is necessary to have a gun, and often a great amount of extravagance is displayed in the purchase of oue. A breech loader choke bore is the the gun, as no muzzle loader will ever reach a duck, and in buying one, the wisest man is he who takes the cheapest article oiiWnable, this being so much easier to dupose f, a step likely to be desired after a few days shooting. Fill your own cartridge?,* if expense and not birds is an object, aa they make jusi as much noise, though the ready prepared ones are apt to go steadier and straighter. It is a mistaken notion to suppose a correct eye is of any consequence as when you blaze away at a mob, the chances of a duck flying into your line of fire, as out of it, i* about even, and it is a lot of bother to practise aiming. It is considered wisest not to mention how you intended to kill the bird that dies after you ha- c fired, aa an examination of its wounds may upset your theory ; see the bird first. We recommend duck shooting to the beginner as it entails less ohance of his getting lost, there are not so many pieces of water, as there are trees in a bush. Duck shooting should be commenced before the break of day, but it does not mean that you are to shoot in the dark. You are only to rise from your bed in moonshine and brea'-fast by c ndlelight. It is more than comfortable, it i necessary, to seoure a dray the night previous, more to convey the articles required, han the reßult of the day's shooting. To carry out this pastime with the proper regard to he Ith your outfit in the morning ahould resemble that of an Artie explorer, and at noonday the dress of an Indian. Besides the gun you take with you, and your load of 100 rounds of ammunition, as no enthusiast would dream of taking less, in case sport was good, you must provide a duplicate weapon and cartridges, to provide for the very natural contingency of your pitching on your head during your ramble in the 'mist, and choking up both barrels of your gun beyond clearing, and the ammunition getting wet by being shot in all directions on the dewy turf. A rifle capable of carrying one and a half miles will be found of service, even if it only gives you the opportunity to say that you had a shot at the only lot of ducks you saw. The extra complete suit will appear handy after you have managed to step into the softest hole in the lagoon and disappeared once or twice under water. If you do not get wet you must not go duck -shooting, as this is the chiefest item of pleasure obtainable. The dray comes in handy with the lunch, and this also is advis ble > o carry, for the adage recommends no one " to put all his eggß in the one basket "or to rely too implioity on the result of your sport, as <ut duck shooting i is possible to score a " duck's egg " whioh is hardly satisfying at any time and is d fficult to cook. A bottle of Mother Sic els Soothing Syrup will be found indispensable.