The New York herald., 1922-11-05
THE CANVASBACK
BEST OF WILD DUCK
Found in Long Island and
New Jersey Bays, but Chesa-
peake Is Best Resort.
by WILL WILDWOOD.

ADMIRED allko Dy WlAulOWl oAVOtSiS .
and epicures. the canvasback duck is
the most eagerly sought OF all the
many species found in the United
States. AS a game bird IL Is among
the very best of the waterfowl family
and by reason of its fine flavor 1t Is
regarded as prime favorite over all at
the banquet board. Early November Is
favorable time for the sport OF can
vasback shooting. and many New York
srs are now enjoying the sport. or pre-
pairing for It.
1t is a mistaken idea that the canvas
back is, primarily and positively. an cpl
curean delicacy superior TO all others in
every case and under all conditions. De-
prived of the wild celery. its natural
food wherever that Is obtainable-thc
canvasback feeding on coarse seaweeds
and fshy substances soon loses It's
famous gastronomic flavor, becoming
an ordinary wild duck 30 far as It's
table value is concerned. The same rule
applies with regard to domestic fowl
as we'll. the choice specimens highly
priced and dearly paid for being those
best fed and thus brought TO perfection
nearly as possible.
Along the northern coast are a num-
ber OF places where the wild celery
grows either naturally or by careful
cultivation" IL the term may be ap-
piled, as this aquatic growth, like wild
rice can be made to thrive IN waters
where It Is properly introduced; and Ut
orally made to feel at home. Environ
ment is essential among plants as well
as people to bring results, therefore the
new finishing school for the prospec-
tive canvasback must first be provided
with the proper pabulum to entice the
wary winged students OF webfoot priul-
aries, and then let each take course
sure to fit it for prime place at an
epicurean feast.
Although the canvasback Is ordinar-
iiy classed among the seafowl, 1t Is
found in inland lakes and large streams
where conditions are favorable; remain
ing in or returning to the most desirable
places. such as Lake Koshkonong. Wis
consin, famous FOR wild celery beds, and
now controlled along the shore line by
sportsmen's clubs. Still, the visiting
wildfowl shooter finds some opportuni-
ties there, but Koshkonong is far cry
for the gunner from Gotham.
little Local Jealousy.
Many and perhaps most of the New
York City duck shooters whose favorite
sport is canvasback shooting, are MEM
bers of various clubs holding special
privileges and owning club houses in the
Chesapeake Bay region or elsewhere in
the merrie-land of terrapin and other
Baltimorean delicacies. The expense is
somewhat heavy--or would be so con-
sidered by the ordinary bayman. but
in view of the fact that the gunner of
this type Is the beneficiary, the guide,
PHILOSOPHER and friend of the visiting
sportsman. there is little local Jealousy
and much satisfaction among the ma
tives who earn living by attending
to the wants Of wealthy sportsmen and
anglers.
Maryland game laws provide fair pro-
lection to prevent the killing OF eAces-
sive numbers of waterfowl, and the FED
eral Migratory Bird Law greatly
strengthens these restrictions along the
same line OF conservation. The duck
shooting season opens November 1, and
although local law permits an open sea-
son until January 81, the Federal Law
prohibits waterfowl shooting there as
elsewhere after the close of December.
The various county laws must be care
fully considered as these vary with re-
gard to days of the week during which
duck shooting is legal, the hours per-
mitted, etc. The synopsis In Game
Laws for 1922" furnished free on appi-
cation to the United States Department
of Agriculture. at Washington, gives
important information, and resident OIL
cials supply local regulations.
To the casual shooter contemplating
canvas back shooting in the Chesapeake
Bay waters of wild celery celebrity
more definite information may be de-
sirable Beginning at far famed Havre
de Grace, at the head of the bay and
near the mouth of the Susquehanna, the
waters of canvasback enticement ex-
tend southwark. covering quite a por-
ton of the great bay. nearly $50 miles
in length, entering the sea near Nor
folk. Va, at Cape Henry. Many small
islands lie. within this water domain of
wild ducks wherein canvasbacks arc
quite plentiful In season.
Expenstve to shoot.
A plethoric purse is one of the pass
ports to ducldom in Maryland. The
hunting license fee (S10.50) for nom
residents Is no higher than in many
other states, but this is merely the be-
ginning. and the additional expenses are
gladly paid by those who can afford
duck shooting de luxe. Canvasback on
the wing and within gunshot are worth
the price. The Patuxent River Club Ii
cense IL S25., Sinkbox, price for use
varies-Bohemia and Elk rivers. $10.50;
Hartford. S20.75: Kent, $40; Susque-
hanna Flats, $2e.75; Queen Anne.
s1O.50. For sneak boat the daily pay IL
comparatively moderate ordinarily