Huge Rifle

[Freedom]

I had not heard that. Most of the historical sources I have seen indicate that commercial sales of ducks to high end restaurants in large cities along the East Coast were the primary economic drive behind large scale hunting with punt guns. I do know that Michener, who meticulous in his research for the novels he wrote, talks about this in his book Chesapeake.

I would be interested in hearing more about fertilizer, ducks, and punt guns if you have sources.

An old friend of mine about 35 years ago told me that that was what punt guns we're used for(?).. way before internet, so I have no idea of the validity of his statement.
So I too would like to learn more about this possibility.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

I have seen alot of t hose big guns in person. I absolutely love them. Incredible piece of history.

 

[DixieTexian]

Meh, those market hunters were involved in the wholesale destruction of our natural resources, and there had been enough animals wiped out or nearly wiped out by that point that they can't really claim ignorance.
The guns are kind of an interesting and neat thing on theor own, but I have a hard time divorcing them from their purpose.

 

[Klondyke]

Went to museum in Havre Degrace. It was an eye-opener for me, the punt guns were enormous. My visit was in 2005.

 

[Mrg5]

Meh, those market hunters were involved in the wholesale destruction of our natural resources, and there had been enough animals wiped out or nearly wiped out by that point that they can't really claim ignorance.
The guns are kind of an interesting and neat thing on theor own, but I have a hard time divorcing them from their purpose.

Actually, dramatic reductions of waterfowl due to commercial hunting with punt guns is what first began to change the public’s perception on hunting and conservation.
Due to these concerns, punt guns were banned from legal use in the 1860’s. This began a change in the way people hunted and the laws that governed legal hunting. It is and has been argued for many years that the first real conservation movement in the US was a response to the use of punt guns.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Not to be confused with an Amusette.....

LD

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I had not heard that. Most of the historical sources I have seen indicate that commercial sales of ducks to high end restaurants in large cities along the East Coast were the primary economic drive behind large scale hunting with punt guns. I do know that Michener, who meticulous in his research for the novels he wrote, talks about this in his book Chesapeake.

I would be interested in hearing more about fertilizer, ducks, and punt guns if you have sources.

Indeed when it comes to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and the Chesapeake Bay, the birds were taken for sale as a high end food source.

Market Hunting

LD

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

After these guns became illegal in the Chesapeake the owners still used them. They were often buried to hide them. When you see many of these guns today they are in pretty rough shape. Used in all types of weather and then buried....not good for high condition.

 

[shorthair]

Not much in the way of game management back then!

Habitat loss was also a big part of the problem, tough to grow duck's if they don't have any where safe to raise little ducklings.