Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-10-21
Wild Duck Hunting.


The report that there are nn abundance
of wild fowl this season should bring de-
light TO hunters who find sport IN wing |
shooting. Perhaps there is no kind oi sport |
with the gun exceIling day in sink box
or blind, with just enough wind to make
the quarry dart to decoys, and 1t the
sbrill whistle of wings should PROCLAIM the
approach Of group OF canvasbacks, the
hunter will find his heart beating faster
than il has ever done before. lie will know
that the least movement IN advance OF
exactly the right moment To shoot VIII
likely lose him that chance, so he waits
eagerly. under terrific tension, for the
fowl to come within the zone of his gun
fire. II is a thrilling moment when ne
downs one of the precious canvasbacks
with his right barrel and another with his
left. and how he ycarns for third shot, as
he sees the others of the flock dartng away
at the speed Of an airplane.
While epicures have taught us that tiie
canvasback fowl is fit food for king, ms
next of kin the "red head" is so near an
approach in flavor and juicy tenderness
that it requires an educated palate to tell
the difference between the two kinds.
The black duck, too, is but little less
savorv and he is much more abundant ana
less coy, especially, than the canvasoaok'
who is ever alaert to danger and is rafeiy
causbt off guard The canvasback can i'y
so miles an hour, and it has been claimed
an excuse. perhaps when one "muiis his
shot-that he can dodge the charge.
Then there are geese and brant awaiting
| to match their cunning against the hunter
| and his gun. In them the sportsmen VIII
find a quarry worthy Of his skill and II the
former did not resort to subteriuge 10 ue-
ce;ve thev would live to die of age inc
brant is especially shy and wary, and 1t re-
ouircs the deception of n 'Raiiics 10 Re'
near enough to him TO even puncture the
outer armor courses of his feather and qu'l
shield. :,
At times of moonlghted nights, both
these canny species may be shot as 'heS
fv in the shadows, possibly from Deiawaf'
to the Rehoboth Bay But the real spor's
man docs not want to take such an unfair
advantage Of such noble game.
The water courses Of the lower part OF th'
State INST now abound in ducks and geese
according TO reports, and on the openini
dav Of the season, Monday last, seVera
big baes were made by hunters. FROM III
! Milford section came the report that TN
! ;pdiscr;miuate firing Of the amateu
hunters was 50 incessant on the frst "a.
Of hunting that the birds were seek'n
decper water or places where they coni
better see or sense the approach ol u
hunters.
: II Is rerorted that the wild fowl ar
! more numerous this season than Tor a ION
Z time but a few days Of shooting Will hkei
7 find them so difficult to approach that u
! interest in them viii have greatly cooie
! bv time the season is half over.
$ The Federal governments step IN PIT
: tecting the wild fowl to and from the
; breeding grounds in the far North NJ
5 nrnhablv increased the years broods an
. proved the wisdom Of such action. VII
!. his safety assured as he goes to his surnIn'
z nests and later returns with the hedging
T the prohibition Of airplanes and machii
t guns in the short fall open season prohap
r Will nreserve this form Of sport for sever
d generations. Another contributing eau
y to its prolongation is found IN the ia
that duck-hunting has become a spo
d AFT for kings but only within the erea'
= Of the gunner who can afford toindulge hr
= self in a diversion that costs from $500
e $500 day, when done under the pii o'a
: Of the professional hunters who has an e
g tire outfit for this diversion.