San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-01
BY H. M. DYER

By II. M. DYER
Not within the recollection of old
timers have ducks been so plentiful as
the present season and that their num-
bers will constantly increase as cold
weather approaches is evidenced By the
fact that, SO far, the arrivals have
been confined to the shallow-water
feeders, mallards, gadwals, widgeon,
sprigs, spoon-bills and three varieties
of teal, all of which. with the excep-
ton of the teal, will remain with us
until the close of the season.
With the advent of winter will come
the deepwater feeders in the shape of
canvas-bscks, red heads and blue bills,
80 that there will be no lack OF sport.
The number Of mallards and sprigs
on the lakes is scarcely to be wondered
at by those who know ducks and duck
habits. 1t is simply matter Of abun-
dant food and proper shelter. The
long continued drouth in this section
and the loss of water through evapora-
ton lowered the lakes TO the extent
that the level flats along the edges
were exposed but still retained suffi-
Gent moisture for a luxuriant growth
latter being a favorite food for NAL
lards, and, when recent rains flooded
these places with few inches Of fresh
water, where ducks might feed and
splash around to their hearts content.
it provided ideal conditions for good
sport.
DUCK RESORTS
There are three duck shooting re-
sorts in the close vicinity of San
Antonio. One of these, being public
domain. is open to anyone who wishes
TO hunt there, but it has the disad-
vantage of having neither food nor
shelter. Ducks who stop there do
so On the European plan: resting up
bit and going elsewhere for food.
The two other resorts are owned by
clubs, governed by rules the nom
observance of which costs the viola
tor his membership. Hunting under
club conditions is about all that any
one could ask for. A boat and fif-
teen decoys are provided for each
and every member, blinds are so To-
Gated that shooting from one will not
interfere with that of another; there
can be no crowding or butting-in
from outsiders, as in the case for a
free-for-all resort and property. once
inside the grounds one is as safe as
at home. Club members are entitled
TO extend the privileges Of the club
10 one guest on each trip.
There are two distinct kinds OF
duck shooting; one. when the early
arrivals, puddle ducks as they are
sometimes called, first make their APP
pearance and the other when the
deep water varieties begin TO show
up.
There is all the difference in the
world between the two. Ducks which
arrive during the early fall have
travelled all the route during the closed
season and have never heard the sound
Of q shotgun until the opening day.
They are young birds lightly feather
ed, comparatively tame and, as they
hover over the decOys like toy bal
looms, the shooting is ridiculously
easy. so much so, that the amateur
at the game is apt 10 conclude that
he knows about all that is worth
knowing in the duck shooting line.
CHANGES HIS MIND.
Two months later he either revises
previous estimates concerning his
ability or observers do il for him.
The ducks which then cover the lake
have none Of the characteristics OF
their predecessors. They have been
steadily bombarded at every resting
place beteWen Saskatchewan and
Texas and BY the time they settle
upon our lakes have little TO learn
in the way of caution. They know
the range Of a shot gun 70 the frac-
ton Of an inch and govern themselves
accordingly. They sbun the vicinity
Of blinds as one would q pest-hOuse
and their suspicion Of man amounts
90 creed. Unlike the shallow water
varieties they do not fly low overland
and the first intimatiOn you have Of
their presence is a mighty swirling
overhead when they descend, appar-
entity from the clouds. in a constantly
narrowing spiral until they settle far
out in the middle Of the lake. free
from all danger, where they disport
and splash around, occasionally giving
vent, in duck language, TO jibes for
the benefit OF the shooters. When
they get tired Of sitting still they
move from one end Of the lake 10 the
other and about the time a blind oc-
cupant figures that he is going TO get
d shot they will swing around and
retrace their flight without deviating
an inch from the original course.
WINDY DAYS BEST.
On cold windy days and especially
when the wind is constantly shifting
good shooting may be had as ducks
under such conditions become rest
less. moreover with stormy conditions
they seem to stir around more for
l. E S S O N S