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U.S. Chief Inspector of Hunting George A. with a confiscated 10.9-inch and 250-pound rifle that was used to hunt ducks. 1920.
A punt gun is a type of extremely large shotgun used in the 19th and early 20th centuries for shooting large numbers of waterfowl for commercial harvesting operations and private sport. A single shot could kill over 50 waterfowl resting on the water’s surface.
The Tale of George A. and the Giant Rifle
In 1920, Chief Inspector of Hunting George A. Thompson lived in Millbrook, Illinois. Known for his strict enforcement of wildlife laws, George was dedicated to protecting migratory birds.
One day, he received a tip about illegal duck hunting. Upon reaching the marsh, George heard an unusually loud gunshot. He discovered a monstrous rifle—10.9 inches in diameter and weighing 250 pounds—being used to hunt ducks.
It was not unusual for such a band of hunters to acquire as many as 500 birds in a single day. In the United States, this practice depleted stocks of wild waterfowl and by the 1860s most states had banned the practice.
The Lacey Act of 1900 banned the transport of wild games across state lines, and the practice of market hunting was outlawed by a series of federal laws in 1918.
Shocked, George confronted the hunters, confiscated the illegal weapon, and arrested them. The giant rifle became a local sensation, drawing crowds curious to see it. George used this opportunity to educate people on the dangers of such weapons and the importance of conservation.
In the weeks that followed, the number of illegal hunting incidents in the area dropped significantly. Hunters began to think twice before breaking the law, knowing that George A. Thompson was watching closely. The Giant Duck Gun became a symbol of the dangers of unchecked greed and the need for responsible stewardship of the land.
As for George, he continued his work as Chief Inspector of Hunting, ever vigilant and determined to uphold the laws that protected America’s natural resources. Though he never encountered another weapon quite as absurd as the 10.9-inch, 250-pound rifle, he remained ready for whatever challenges might come his way. And so, the legend of George A. and the Giant Duck Gun lived on, a cautionary tale told by hunters and conservationists alike—a reminder that even in a world filled with innovation and ingenuity, some things were simply too much for nature to bear.
His actions had a lasting impact, reducing illegal hunting incidents significantly. George continued his work, becoming a symbol of responsible wildlife protection.
HOW TO HUNT DUCKS THE EASY WAY
Follow these six easy steps to enjoy your first duck hunt this season.
Duck hunting is one of the easiest hunting sports for new shotgunners to expand into. Ample public-land hunting opportunities abound for waterfowlers and the gear you’ll need to get started is not overly expensive.
Hunting ducks is also a great way to spend some quiet time with your kids or grandkids, while introducing them to gun safety and hunting. Best of all, you can get started with just a few simple tips. Follow these six easy guidelines to start enjoying gorgeous sunrises in the blind and the thrill of whistling wings coming in to your decoys this season.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
Learning to become a proficient waterfowler takes time and experience, but you can begin enjoying the fun right now. If you have a friend or someone at your local gun club who can take you out your first time or two, that’s best. They can share their knowledge and you’ll pick up a lot of tips on your first trip out.
Hiring a guide can also get you started down the waterfowling path quickly as they have years of knowledge and all the gear you’ll need. I recently spent two great days hunting ducks at Beaver Dam Lake (see sidebar) in Tunica, MS. Their full-service operation featuring experienced locals guides and top-notch accommodations is a good example of how a well-run operation can bring the excitement and tradition of duck hunting to newcomers and veteran waterfowlers alike.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
The beauty of waterfowling is that it doesn’t involve a huge investment. You probably have a lot of what you need to get started right now, but here are a few of the essentials to consider.
Shotguns: While nearly every major gun manufacturer makes waterfowl-specific shotguns, the autoloader or pump you’re using for trap and skeet may be just fine for your initial outing. Either 12- or 20-gauge guns will work perfectly well for waterfowling when paired with proper loads designed for ducks and geese.
Chokes: For ducks in close over decoys using steel shot, improved cylinder (or even skeet) is ideal. For longer-range pass-shooting opportunities, you’ll want to step up to modified.
Loads: Check your state regulations, but non-toxic shot is required for waterfowl in most areas. No. 2 steel is a good all-around choice, but you should pick up several different brands/types of non-toxic shot to see what patterns best in your gun. Splitting the ammo costs with a friend or two and patterning your guns together at your local range will help all of you get off to a good start.
Decoys: A dozen decoys will easily get you started making simple spreads that will bring ducks in close. Look for close-out sales at the end of the season or pick up a set of used decoys on Craigslist to minimize costs.
Camo: A simple waterfowl parka with a hood, worn over layered clothing will block the wind, keep you dry and let you blend into surrounding cover. I used insulated bibs and a wader jacket top with a zip-out liner from Banded camo on my recent hunt and it worked really well. Given that temperatures can be at freezing in the mornings (even in southern regions), make sure you bring warm gloves and an insulated hat that covers your ears.
Waders: In the early season when temperatures are still relatively warm, hip boots or the waders you like to fish in will work fine. As temperatures grow colder, you’ll want to transition to insulated knee-highs or waders. Again, shop online for bargains.
Calls: If you book a guide, they’ll do all the calling, but you don’t need a fancy call to do it yourself. Ask your local dealer what they recommend, but choose a model that’s easy to make a few simple calls with.
Hearing protection: Don’t forget earplugs as the report of guns in an enclosed blind is greatly amplified.
TRY THIS BASIC SPREAD
While decoy spreads can become an elaborate art form, they don’t have to be. A basic “fishhook” or “J” pattern with just a dozen or two decoys is all you need in many small pothole areas or shallow warm-water sloughs, to get plenty of ducks headed your way. It’s perfect to use on days when you have a strong wind blowing consistently from one direction. (A simple “C” or “horseshoe” pattern, with the open ends of the C extending out from the shoreline, works great on days when winds are lighter.)
Put a few “feeding decoys” right in front of your blind.
Extend the foot of the fishhook out and away from the shore on the upwind side of the blind. These visible decoys will be your attractors.
Let the tail of the hook trail down and out from the shoreline to the downwind side.
Ducks will normally come in heading upwind, see your attractor decoys and hopefully set down right in the open hole created by the hooked end of the spread.
Set your blind up on the open (downwind) end of the pattern.
Figure about 30 to 40 yards from one end of the hook pattern to the other.
Try to keep the sun at your back as much as possible. This will keep the sun in the birds’ eyes to minimize their picking up your movements.
Brush in your blind and keep your movements to a minimum.
DO’S AND DON’TS
Don’t overcall.Let the decoys do the work. Here are some simple pointers from veteran Beaver Dam guide, Lamar Boyd, on how to bring ducks into your spread.
Minimize movements: Ducks are sharp-eyed. Keep movements to an absolute minimum, especially when birds are on the approach to your decoy spread. Any false movements or upturned faces that catch the sun will cause birds to flare.
Be patient: Wait for ducks to fully commit to landing before you pop up to shoot.
Know the regulations: Regulations on bag limits and what kinds of ducks you can legally harvest vary by state. A quick visit to your state’s DNR website will familiarize you with the regulations for wherever you’re hunting.
Be safe: Gun safety is always of vital importance and is critical in crowded blinds and excited conditions when ducks come in. Go over the ground rules with your party to make sure muzzles are always pointed in a safe direction and safeties are always on unless you’re shooting. Make sure everyone unloads and actions are clear before anyone ventures out to pick up downed birds.
THE ABC’S OF LEAD
Like any moving target, ducks require lead. The biggest mistake beginners make in shooting any moving target is that they simply stop the gun. They see the bird, they swing to the bird and then they stop.
You must keep the muzzle of the gun moving out in front of the bird and train yourself to “follow through” even after you’ve pulled the trigger. When taking passing shots on ducks, the simple acronym “butt, beak, bang” can help. Here’s how it works:
A. As the duck crosses in front of you, bring your muzzle up from behind the bird.
B. Swing through his butt and past his beak, then pull the trigger.
C. Keep the muzzle moving out ahead of the bird after you’ve fired to finish your follow-through
Lynx gracefull hunter
Lynx swims well and is not afraid of water like domestic cats. There is documentary evidence that one lynx swam 3.2 km across the Yukon River. Also, the lynx is good at climbing and hiding in trees, escaping from opponents high in the trees. It is considered that lynxes hunt exclusively on the ground. But as you can see from this video, a mountain river is also a suitable place.
Lynx (bobcat ) eats 0.6—1.2 kg per day. Mainly hunts the American white hair, which takes up tu 97% of it the total diet. The percentage depends on the season and the number of hares. When there are not enough hares, lynxes begin to hunt ducks, grouse, partridges, squirrels, voles thereby causing serious damage to some of these bird species. Young ungulates (for example, Dall sheep, black-tailed deer, northern forest caribou) can also be a prey. In summer and autumn, the lynx often adds small mammals to its diet, in addition to the hare.
Before giving birth to offspring, the lynx prepares a den in dense thickets. As a rule, lynxes have 1-5 kittens. At 5 weeks, kittens leave the den, and by 3 months they are weaned from milk, and switch to eating regular food, which is hunted by mother lynx. Lynx kittens begin to hunt thoroughly at 7-9 months of age.
