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Wild Duck Shooting on the Potomac, 1850. Creator: Unknown
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Wild Duck Shooting on the Potomac, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Wild Duck Shooting on the Potomac, 1850. American invention for duck-shooting:..one device attracted my notice especially [and] succeeds admirably. The hunter builds him a small skiff with very low sides; this he surmounts with a platform of boards, and paints the whole so as scarcely to be distinguished from the water: on this platform and around it he places his wooden decoy ducks, and hides himself at the bottom of the skiff. In the meantime he has a confederate, who, in the boat in the distance, sails around and scares up the ducks; they alight or hover around the decoy ducks, and our fortunate sportsman rising, deals death amongst them. He sometimes kills at one shot fifteen or sixteen...The gun used is one made expressly for this sport, and bears the name of "Potomac duck gun". From "Illustrated London News", 1850
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Media ID 36201164
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Contraption Deception Decoy Duck Ducks Invention Killing Plank Planks Potomac Potomac River River Potomac Shooting Shotgun Silly Waterfowl Wild Duck
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Wild Duck Shooting on the Potomac, 1850" is an intriguing engraving that captures the essence of an unusual hunting practice popular during the 19th century in America. The scene depicts a group of hunters engaged in wild duck shooting on the Potomac River. The hunters, hidden in a low-lying skiff, have built a platform on top, where they conceal themselves amongst decoy ducks. The hunters' confederate, in a distant boat, scatters the real ducks towards the decoy ducks, causing them to gather around the decoys, providing an opportunity for the hunters to rise and shoot. The hunters' weapon of choice for this sport is the Potomac duck gun, a specialized gun designed for this particular hunting method. The hunters' success is remarkable, with some reportedly killing fifteen or sixteen ducks in a single shot. The hunters' faces are obscured, adding to the mystery and allure of the scene. The engraving is from an article published in the Illustrated London News in 1850, which describes the American invention for duck shooting as a fascinating concept. The hunters' contraption, a small skiff with low sides, is surmounted by a platform of boards, painted to blend in with the water. The use of decoys and concealment adds an element of deception and warfare to the otherwise peaceful waterfowl. The Potomac River, a significant geographical feature in the United States, provides the perfect setting for this unique hunting practice. The scene is a snapshot of a bygone era, showcasing the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the hunters of the time. The image is a testament to the rich history of hunting practices and the role it played in American culture during the Victorian era.
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