Ducks on Broadwater Bay

PERHAPS it will be of interest to readers of your valuable paper who reside in this vicinity to learn where good duck shooting may be had for a small outlay. The writer's experience on one of his trips will give an idea of what may be expected and the necessary expense for such an outing.

The Saturday before Thanksgiving Day, 1893, a party of four, including myself, with all the necessary "traps" for a few days' shooting, left Philadelphia at 11:16 P. M. on the [New York,] Philadelphia & Norfolk R. R., for Nassawadox, Va. Although there was a sleeping car attached to the train we preferred the "smoker," where we could smoke, "talk duck shooting" or doze as we felt inclined. Nassawadox station was reached a little after 5 on Sunday morning, where we found a man with a double team in readiness to take us over to Marionville, a distance of four miles. At this point we were met by "Captain Bill" Taylor in his little sailboat, who transferred us down a creek some two miles to O. F. Taylor's house, which is situated on the shore of Broadwater Bay.

While on the boat Capt. Bill called out, "there is a flock of brant." I looked about the sky, but failed to locate them, and told him so. "Well," said he, "do you see the long, narrow cloud off there toward Hog Island?" "O, yes, of course," I respond. "Well, there's them brant."

We reached Mr. Taylor's hospitable roof at 7 o'clock, ready and willing to partake of a hearty breakfast.

Sunday was spent quietly, turning in early in order to be ready for the early morning start. By 5 o'clock Monday we were suddenly awakened by loud raps upon our door and the order, "Get ready for breakfast." Before 7 we were in the boats and on our way to the blinds. O. F. Taylor taking two with him and an assistant the other two.

Each man carried a gun. An assortment of shells ranging from No. 1 to No. 4, were put in a box placed in the middle of the boat where it could be easily reached by all. The blinds are scattered about in the bay about one-third of a mile apart and are built of small fir trees driven into the mud. These are arranged somewhat like a horseshoe and the boat is propelled into it and thus shaded from view.

At low tide one can wade about with hip boots on and pick up the "cripples," and the gunner can stand in the boat without fear of being seen over the blind, but at high tide he must study to learn how to get himself under cover. Sometimes the three men (especially if they are long) get a good deal tangled in the bottom of the boat, having been obliged to occupy a space intended for but one.

Wild celery grows abundantly about, affording excellent feeding for the fowl, and they were there in immense numbers. A good shot need not fear of a thin game bag. We had hardly placed our decoys out and pulled into the blind when we could see them about us. The word "lay low, they are coming" was often spoken, and many a broadbill, black duck, redhead and brant made the fatal mistake of settling into the decoys.

Capt. Bill would sail about in the outer edge of the bay and drive the birds into the gunners even without putting them to flight. I have seen him drive a flock of brant for several miles without getting them to leave the water, by careful tacking forward and back two or three gunshots off. We remained with Mr. Taylor until Wednesday night, having three days' grand sport and brought home with us 174 ducks.

We have taken this trip several seasons and have never been disappointed in getting game or in being well treated. The 8th of December next is our date for this year when we expect the usual good time. The expense from Philadelphia for a four day's trip including car fare, board, guide and incidentals need not exceed $25.

A. J. MARSTON.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.