SNEAK Boats VS SCULL Boats

[MikeE]

I have never brought to mind that a Sneak Boat was a Scull Boat?
I have been reading these sites and came across many times about Sneak Boats and, as one indicated that they were made and originated in the Barnegat Bay for sneaking up on birds and killing the birds you're sneaking on.
Not only the Barnegat Bay Boats but many with the same design features with a few detail changes somewhat like the west coast original Scull Boats.
On the east Coast I believe much like the west Coast these boats were used in the Market days.
The west coast sculls were downsized a great deal as time moved through the century. Today these scull boats are very low profile and very deadly on Duck s and Geese.
Then I come to the East Coast Sneak Boats which are much larger in styles. These sneak Boats have motors where our Scull boats are used in the rear of the Boats for forward propelling the boat forward as you lay down and Scull into the Birds.
These Sneak boats with the size which I brought up in post I thought were used for running to a spot setting out decoys then pulling your sneak boat in and covering with Grasses/Tules from terrain.
I had no idea these boats were sculled into Ducks as we do Sculling. I need a simple explanation on how these boats are actually used the sneak boats.
They are very much unlike the Scull boats not only in size but the use in which they perform.
Scull boats are primarily used for sculling on the ducks you wish to shoot. IC the Barnegat sneak boats used for setting decoys to be very proficient for which they are used shooting over decoys. But sculling on Birds being a different ordeal on the way the two boats are used.
We on the west coast call a sneak boat as a scull boat and used specifically for sculling on your birds.
There is a great deal of difference between the two boats. One used with an oar the other used with a motor. A motor can be used to take you where you'd like then must be shut off for hunting.
I have mentioned the size of the sneak boats of the east coast and when brought to my attention some were used to scull into birds, but I thought simply because of the size of the east coast sneak boats was because the open water they use them in is a huge body of water and boats were large for safety reasons.
As large as they are they would be difficult to sneak on birds on the west coast. With all the conditions being perfect it would be difficult to scull on ducks in my opinion only. I hope to hear more on how they are used and why are they built so large.
I always thought for packing decoys and used as a lay down Blind sort of speak. True or False.

 

[Steve Sanford]

Mike-

I am well-known as a fussbudget when it comes to terminology - especially as it relates to gunning vessels. The topic is fraught, however, because there is no - and never has been - a "governing body" to establish rules. Quite the opposite - just as with names of the various ducks - many boat-type names are of localized origin and use. However, in my view, you cover 3 distinct types:

Sneakbox (as in Barnegat Bay Sneakbox) This term relates to one particluar type og gunning vessel - attributed to Hazelton Seaman circa 1836, if I recall correctly. Initially they were designed for rowing and sailing and were typically 12- LOA with a 4' beam. They were used both for hunting in marshes for Black Ducks and other puddlers - with salt hay or wrack tossed on the decks to hide - or in the open bay - as for Broadbill and Brant. Later in the season, ice might be placed on the decks to improve the hide. While traditional Sneakboxes did not have thatch rails, most did have toe rails at the perimeter of the deck to keep the wrack or ice onboard, at least for the duration of the hunt.

As time marched on, outboards were hung on the stern - usually on a motor mount. The displacement hulls were fine for rowing, sailing and low-speed motoring. However, as outboards became larger, Sneakbox hull shape changed to semi-displacement or full planing to allow greater speed over the water.

Many different variations arose over the years - especially with the advent of fibreglass. Nevertheless, a Sneakbox remains an identifiable type, roughly 12x4, with a smallish cockpit for one gunner and a spray curtain forward of the cockpit. Many still retain, too, the stool rack on the stern deck for carrying decoys.

As always, I - being an interloper from Long Island -defer to the Jersey Boys on this site - esp. Hillman, Keeney, Setter, et cetera.

This Barnegat Bay Sneakbox was built by VanSant in Atlantic City, probably in the 1950s.

Similar vessels built elsewhere have some of the same features. Most are known simply as gunning skiffs or grassboats.



Sculling Boat (not to be confused with a Scull - which is for recreational/competition rowing) I think this is the boat you are most familiar with. It is a very specialized craft, made for sneaking up on roosting birds with the use of a special sculling oar that projects through the transom. It is low to the water and both long and narrow - the latter to minimize the apparent mass of the vessel when approaching fowl resting on the water. Such craft were built for use by a single gunner or two. In the 2-man version, the shooter would have the forward position; the sculler would be aft.

The vessel below was built in Massachusetts in the early 20th century (by Pert Lowell/family) and is known as a Joppa Flats Gunning Float ("float" being a term used in New England but not further South as far as I know). That's lead ballast in a special well just behind the bow.



This block is not moveable - as I have seen in other Sculling Boats which use a pullley system to adjust trim.



Here is the specially curved oar:



It passes through the transom - from the outside.



A softwood plug keeps the sea out when not sculling up - or down - on birds.



As I understand it, these vessels were used most frequently along the coast of New England and in the Pacific Northwest. I believe they were also used on the Delaware River in concert with the well-painted Delaware River decoys which live birds had joined. I do not have a photo of a Delaware River vessel.

Sneak Boat. In the traditional sense, Sneak Boats were used to sneak up on resting birds with small paddles - including hand paddles. (I am traveling and do not have access to the few images I have.) The forward end of the cockpit hid the gunner(s) with either canvas or brush. I believe they were used widely over many years but were never especially common. I met one young man from the Hudson River valley who used one with his father; they termed the method "creeping". I have not yet had a Sneak Boat in my shop....

This photo is from the interwebs. It is presented as a 15-footer from the Adirondacks. I am guessing that the hoops on each end are for carrying. The bracket would no doubt support a small outboard.



"Sneak Boat" is the most problematic term, in my experience. An internet search on the term today yields just about any type of duckboat - although they tend not to include the largest factory vessels. Also, many gunners conflate Sneakbox and Sneakboat - just as many use Scooter and Scoter interchangeably.....

Hope this helps!

SJS

 

[bob welsh]

And a layout boat is a boat used in open water. The name has been adopted to include a marsh boat that is grassed and used in skinny water

 

[greg setter]

Steve got you pretty right on those descriptions and was quite generous in using my name. I am neither a boat builder nor have any carpentry skills, but I do love sneak boxes and there have been many really great small builders in this area from the time of the original design and forward. As he noted, with the advent of power the hull designs for the general style of these boats have changed with some builders. If you want to get a good feel for a true sneak box and how they were (and are) built and used you can watch this old film:

It has a segment of Sam Hunt building a sneak box. Throughout his narrative on building he will make references to the usage and give you some real insights. I believe that Dave Diefenderfer may have one of his boats, or did. There are many classic sneak box owners on here that will be able to tell you a lot more. I think Bob Keeney will have some input also.
Sneak boxes, as Steve noted, are not designed for sneaking up on birds as your scull boat is, they were designed to be used as he told-sailed and rowed. The idea was a very seaworthy craft to get you across the bay(big water) and back safely and easily hidden and used in the salt marshes. It was and still is the best way to hunt these marshes, particularly along the coast, which generally have low native grasses. They are easy to drag up onto or off of the marshes(important with the semi-diurnal tides on the east coast unlike the west coast), track well in a wind when rowing, and are very stable. Like many boats, they were designed around a particular geographic area the characteristics of it.

 

[MikeE]

Steve got you pretty right on those descriptions and was quite generous in using my name. I am neither a boat builder nor have any carpentry skills, but I do love sneak boxes and there have been many really great small builders in this area from the time of the original design and forward. As he noted, with the advent of power the hull designs for the general style of these boats have changed with some builders. If you want to get a good feel for a true sneak box and how they were (and are) built and used you can watch this old film:

It has a segment of Sam Hunt building a sneak box. Throughout his narrative on building he will make references to the usage and give you some real insights. I believe that Dave Diefenderfer may have one of his boats, or did. There are many classic sneak box owners on here that will be able to tell you a lot more. I think Bob Keeney will have some input also.
Sneak boxes, as Steve noted, are not designed for sneaking up on birds as your scull boat is, they were designed to be used as he told-sailed and rowed. The idea was a very seaworthy craft to get you across the bay(big water) and back safely and easily hidden and used in the salt marshes. It was and still is the best way to hunt these marshes, particularly along the coast, which generally have low native grasses. They are easy to drag up onto or off of the marshes(important with the semi-diurnal tides on the east coast unlike the west coast), track well in a wind when rowing, and are very stable. Like many boats, they were designed around a particular geographic area the characteristics of it.

Greg Thank You for your explanation as I had seen that u-tube clip and was very interesting.
Yes Sir, the Sneak Boats were as I thought used mainly or should say Built for the safety of the hunter on big open water as I thought they definitely were not used to sneak up on birds.
At one time there were here also a number of builders that tried immensely to copy the old Sculling Boats we use today. There were very few that made it through the times as I very fortunately found 2 of these old boats and have had them for well over 60+ years and to this day being used.
At this age and the boats got a little heavy for me so I finally had to make up my mind what to do with them. I sold one to a young individual who watched me for years and used to corner me for information which I was very glad to-do. When he seen I had one up for sale picked it up immediately and it went to a good home and that was what I wanted someone to not only have one of the oldest boats today here on the west coast but to get the use I had out of them and take good care of them. There like your child when you have had them the way i came across them more than 60 yrs ago.
I have one I have hanging and then I found a little single scull in southern CA and a friend that lived that way brought the boat up to me. I had some transoms work to do on the boat a Boot for the scull hole inside and new leather in the scull hole. I do not like any nails or screws into the leather on the outside of the scull hole as I have seen in many, many, boats.
It was a hard thing to sell these boats but if they go to a good duck hunter who knows the boats and willing to baby them as i have all these years they will go to a good home.
I think about what you have said about the number of sneak boaters in the eastern part of the US which reminds me of the number of Scullers that were once here on the west Coast of the US. Today it is a lost art and so very few Sculls today and to me it's a sad thing.
With our sculls so different in every way and somewhat like the second picture shown but still much larger than the west coast scull. Even though our sculls are so much lower in the water but yet as safe as the person behind the oars when need be. were still at 14'6" in length and 46 in wide they are a very safe craft.
Back when I was Younger out of the Military there were many builders and many scullers young and old. They would take pictures and whenever possible would get measurements to build a female mold then construct boats from there female molds.
Back then it was a sacred thing to hold on to what you had and never give up a scull to build a boat from it. Even though many say that they have a scull built from and original and many around thinking the same thing but all realistically they have a copy and then in most cases never turned out like the old originals.
Brings back some memories let me tell you at 12 your also able to see how low our sculls actually are with a double scull just out of the military in 72.
These oars I have made and sold for years but in today's world they are few in between and for something to keep busy I build one a year.
It is so interesting to see the differences in these builds between the sculling boats of the eastern US and the West coast builds. most of the builds of the east coast are constructed of wood while the western US does everything with fiberglass. The older generation boats were fiberglass over wood but made them much heavier. as the molds were made from wood then Glass a female hull then wood construction on the decking/ gunnel/transom and glassed. very interesting. Well, I thank you all for the input as it has made me more informative to say the least about how we are all after the same goal but done in many different ways that seem to all be productive for us that love the Sport of Duck/Goose/Brant Hunters. Merry Xmas to all and a very happy new year to come hoping for change in the world today> MikeE

 

[greg setter]

Mike-the Susquehanna River is also a place that has scull boats like your yours, as does the tidal Delaware near me. There are still a few people around that do it. And there are a few people on Duckboats that do also. They have all probably been out hunting, tis' the season in these parts.

 

[Richard Lathrop]

Mike-

I am well-known as a fussbudget when it comes to terminology - especially as it relates to gunning vessels. The topic is fraught, however, because there is no - and never has been - a "governing body" to establish rules. Quite the opposite - just as with names of the various ducks - many boat-type names are of localized origin and use. However, in my view, you cover 3 distinct types:

Sneakbox (as in Barnegat Bay Sneakbox) This term relates to one particluar type og gunning vessel - attributed to Hazelton Seaman circa 1836, if I recall correctly. Initially they were designed for rowing and sailing and were typically 12- LOA with a 4' beam. They were used both for hunting in marshes for Black Ducks and other puddlers - with salt hay or wrack tossed on the decks to hide - or in the open bay - as for Broadbill and Brant. Later in the season, ice might be placed on the decks to improve the hide. While traditional Sneakboxes did not have thatch rails, most did have toe rails at the perimeter of the deck to keep the wrack or ice onboard, at least for the duration of the hunt.

As time marched on, outboards were hung on the stern - usually on a motor mount. The displacement hulls were fine for rowing, sailing and low-speed motoring. However, as outboards became larger, Sneakbox hull shape changed to semi-displacement or full planing to allow greater speed over the water.

Many different variations arose over the years - especially with the advent of fibreglass. Nevertheless, a Sneakbox remains an identifiable type, roughly 12x4, with a smallish cockpit for one gunner and a spray curtain forward of the cockpit. Many still retain, too, the stool rack on the stern deck for carrying decoys.

As always, I - being an interloper from Long Island -defer to the Jersey Boys on this site - esp. Hillman, Keeney, Setter, et cetera.

This Barnegat Bay Sneakbox was built by VanSant in Atlantic City, probably in the 1950s.

Similar vessels built elsewhere have some of the same features. Most are known simply as gunning skiffs or grassboats.

View attachment 62407

Sculling Boat (not to be confused with a Scull - which is for recreational/competition rowing) I think this is the boat you are most familiar with. It is a very specialized craft, made for sneaking up on roosting birds with the use of a special sculling oar that projects through the transom. It is low to the water and both long and narrow - the latter to minimize the apparent mass of the vessel when approaching fowl resting on the water. Such craft were built for use by a single gunner or two. In the 2-man version, the shooter would have the forward position; the sculler would be aft.

The vessel below was built in Massachusetts in the early 20th century (by Pert Lowell/family) and is known as a Joppa Flats Gunning Float ("float" being a term used in New England but not further South as far as I know). That's lead ballast in a special well just behind the bow.

View attachment 62408

This block is not moveable - as I have seen in other Sculling Boats which use a pullley system to adjust trim.

View attachment 62412

Here is the specially curved oar:

View attachment 62409

It passes through the transom - from the outside.

View attachment 62410

A softwood plug keeps the sea out when not sculling up - or down - on birds.

View attachment 62411

As I understand it, these vessels were used most frequently along the coast of New England and in the Pacific Northwest. I believe they were also used on the Delaware River in concert with the well-painted Delaware River decoys which live birds had joined. I do not have a photo of a Delaware River vessel.

Sneak Boat. In the traditional sense, Sneak Boats were used to sneak up on resting birds with small paddles - including hand paddles. (I am traveling and do not have access to the few images I have.) The forward end of the cockpit hid the gunner(s) with either canvas or brush. I believe they were used widely over many years but were never especially common. I met one young man from the Hudson River valley who used one with his father; they termed the method "creeping". I have not yet had a Sneak Boat in my shop....

This photo is from the interwebs. It is presented as a 15-footer from the Adirondacks. I am guessing that the hoops on each end are for carrying. The bracket would no doubt support a small outboard.

View attachment 62413

"Sneak Boat" is the most problematic term, in my experience. An internet search on the term today yields just about any type of duckboat - although they tend not to include the largest factory vessels. Also, many gunners conflate Sneakbox and Sneakboat - just as many use Scooter and Scoter interchangeably.....

Hope this helps!

SJS

Steve,

Great writeup. Looking over many sneakboat plans I think a qualifying feature of a traditional sneakbox is the forms are all built to a constant arc. Would a harpin also be a required feature to qualify as a traditional sneakbox?

Rick Lathrop

 

[Steve Sanford]

Steve,

Great writeup. Looking over many sneakboat plans I think a qualifying feature of a traditional sneakbox is the forms are all built to a constant arc. Would a harpin also be a required feature to qualify as a traditional sneakbox?

Rick Lathrop

Rick~

Although I have read about the constant arc in several sources - I'm thinking of Chappelle, Guthorn and probably even Gardiner himself - as a common practice, it was apparently not a strict requirement:




The "master curve" seems a variation on the constant arc. The designer/builder need only loft a single curve - but uses different portions of it along the hull. Nit picking, you say? What else would this fussbudget do? Of course, I believe this design is Gardiner's adaptation - in the 1970s. I have no books here with me in Berlin so cannot look at Stephens' original drawings. I wonder if any old 'boxes had that little bit of deadrise up forward that Gardiner drew.

I certainly suspect the harpin is a strict requirement - as the spoon bow is a key feature of "real" Sneakboxes in my "outsider" view.

All the best,

SJS

 

[MikeE]

Mike-the Susquehanna River is also a place that has scull boats like your yours, as does the tidal Delaware near me. There are still a few people around that do it. And there are a few people on Duckboats that do also. They have all probably been out hunting, tis' the season in these parts.

Greg Thank you for that post. I'm really hoping that some of these scullers from around the country will hopefully write back.
Most of these boats were shipped to those locations when many were trying to get into the manufacturing of these sculls from here on the west coast of Humboldt.
I can remember many saying they were shipping boats from there during their time of hoping for them to take off and become a regular business.
In our minds the old timers that is we hoped they would make it but most folded after producing just a few boats.
There were guides that also tried to make a living at it as advertising was a way to contact hunters from all over the Midwest and east coast.
That also didn't go too far, and I believe that a few of the boats were sent back east and made from the boats they ordered.
Like in Humboldt today there are many sculling Boats that are left behind shops and hanging in garages not being used.
In your neck of the woods with the few that are in outlying areas I could see them be very use full in the lakes reservoirs river systems and doing quite well with the low numbers and individual Hunters having most of the water ways to their selves could be a huge bonus.
These boats are so unique in their own way and for the hunter that enjoys the art of sculling can get complete gratification from the scull.
For that person who loves looking for that rare cross of the many duck species and in my opinion the best way to shoot and kill only the ducks one wants to shoot along with looking for that rare Duck on your last couple of birds that would fill the limit for the day.
I am always looking for that rare bird and in trade for something I'd like mounted as it can work both ways and not be used as selling the birds you shoot which is against the law. Or you can just give it to a friend taxidermist who too is looking for that rare Eurasian duck or a mallard Pintail cross or the many that are out there if one takes the time to look. Eurasian Widgeon are quite frequent Birds to find in the huge flocks of Widgeon along with the Widgeon one can find crosses, but it does take time but well worth it. MikeE

 

[Vince Pagliaroli]

"Scullers" are a very tight lipped and wide spread type of waterfowler. They make dedicated Ruffed Grouse Hunters seem like very social blabber mouths if ya know what I mean. They hunt when most other waterfowlers have gone home for the day and specialize in being as mobile as possible. They have a vast array of contacts and info. Scouting is practiced at it's highest form. They are The Stealth Hunters of all waterfowlers.

NY is blessed with a bounty of water. How many "Scullers" are there here? More than one would think. I've always admired them. When I have encountered them it's always been a very good experience. Some follow specific birds, others take what is given. Dec. is prime time for them. When ya hear their gun Boom birds are picked up afterward....

my 2 cents

 

[Richard Lathrop]

Rick~

Although I have read about the constant arc in several sources - I'm thinking of Chappelle, Guthorn and probably even Gardiner himself - as a common practice, it was apparently not a strict requirement:

View attachment 62496


The "master curve" seems a variation on the constant arc. The designer/builder need only loft a single curve - but uses different portions of it along the hull. Nit picking, you say? What else would this fussbudget do? Of course, I believe this design is Gardiner's adaptation - in the 1970s. I have no books here with me in Berlin so cannot look at Stephens' original drawings. I wonder if any old 'boxes had that little bit of deadrise up forward that Gardiner drew.

I certainly suspect the harpin is a strict requirement - as the spoon bow is a key feature of "real" Sneakboxes in my "outsider" view.

All the best,

SJS

Steve,

WP Stevens is in the resources section. The Barnegat Cruiser was developed for cruising not really duck hunting.

https://duckboats.net/community/attachments/foreststreamxxv_497-jpg.57968/

Rick Lathrop

 

[MikeE]

"Scullers" are a very tight lipped and wide spread type of waterfowler. They make dedicated Ruffed Grouse Hunters seem like very social blabber mouths if ya know what I mean. They hunt when most other waterfowlers have gone home for the day and specialize in being as mobile as possible. They have a vast array of contacts and info. Scouting is practiced at it's highest form. They are The Stealth Hunters of all waterfowlers.

NY is blessed with a bounty of water. How many "Scullers" are there here? More than one would think. I've always admired them. When I have encountered them it's always been a very good experience. Some follow specific birds, others take what is given. Dec. is prime time for them. When ya hear their gun Boom birds are picked up afterward....

my 2 cents

Hey there Vince My friend
You have practically hit most of it right in the head as I have explained it's an art that many do not follow today. Alot from what you had to say and written back in the day I was so very fortunate that I had the old timers take me in under their wing and most of that was because of my G-Dad being so well known or it might have been quite different and had to learn all that I know on my own and I don't think many today want to take on the challenge.
But after doing this for well over 60+ years as I keep mentioning and suppose many are tired of hearing it but there is something behind all this time on the water. The learning took time, as did the Birds themselves, then there was the weather and conditions, then there is a backdrop or no backdrop, then there is the color of the water and the many ways to disguises what you think, the sun the wind over the water and we have not learned to make that boat go forward yet, without rocking you to sleep, before you even make that first scull.
Yes, sir there is more to it than one really knows than just watching us scullers go down after the birds we desire. And when I started as a very young kid with the desire to learn day and time after time is one of the only reasons, they took me in. My desires were strong but the tips I got were few to learn and nothing more until they seen I was accomplishing what they had told me I mean Nothing. My first bird was a damn Spoonbill but proud to be picking it next to some of the best with their limits of Mallard and Sprig. Wanting to give up you damn bet you I did but new if I did it was over, and I was on my own.
So secretive yes sir, know it all No sir, but willing to help any young kid that has the strong willing to learn? yes sir! All that we learn, and many take more time than others, but should we be harder on those hell no its time that makes one good at what he does and some learn things faster. I was one of those slow learners but was on the water more than one who learned things faster. That slow learning made it stick and never forgot.
When I look back at that 12–13-year-old with a limit of sprig on his boat I thought how many days my G Dad hauled me to that bay to learn and become where I am today.
I don't consider us as special at all and willing to help any that need the help and give up a secret that will help why not we just don't take them to far at once because you're not learning the right way to approach a bird and instead of a log shot for one bird if you do it right you will kill 3 Drake mallards with those three shots. So, it's a game we play also with ourselves. Then there is a time when we can double up on a shot and those can come pretty easy if you have the patience.
So, it's not that a sculler throws the things he has learned out there so easy as it really isn't helping one to become a good sculler. It's a learning process. I hope it continues on the eastern seaboard as it is becoming a lost art here on the west coast yea there are a few but far and few between.
Vince, you should give it a try and see if you like what you see you might like it. Good hunting to you, my friend. MikE

 

[Steve Sanford]

Steve,

WP Stevens is in the resources section. The Barnegat Cruiser was developed for cruising not really duck hunting.

https://duckboats.net/community/attachments/foreststreamxxv_497-jpg.57968/

Rick Lathrop

Good morning, Rick~

Excellent point! Certainly explains the depth of the body - not the little sliver of a vessel that is the "typical" gunning Sneakbox.

No matter how we slice 'em - Cheers to Hazelton Seaman!



Merry Christmas Eve

SJS

 

[Vince Pagliaroli]

Hey there Vince My friend
You have practically hit most of it right in the head as I have explained it's an art that many do not follow today. Alot from what you had to say and written back in the day I was so very fortunate that I had the old timers take me in under their wing and most of that was because of my G-Dad being so well known or it might have been quite different and had to learn all that I know on my own and I don't think many today want to take on the challenge.
But after doing this for well over 60+ years as I keep mentioning and suppose many are tired of hearing it but there is something behind all this time on the water. The learning took time, as did the Birds themselves, then there was the weather and conditions, then there is a backdrop or no backdrop, then there is the color of the water and the many ways to disguises what you think, the sun the wind over the water and we have not learned to make that boat go forward yet, without rocking you to sleep, before you even make that first scull.
Yes, sir there is more to it than one really knows than just watching us scullers go down after the birds we desire. And when I started as a very young kid with the desire to learn day and time after time is one of the only reasons, they took me in. My desires were strong but the tips I got were few to learn and nothing more until they seen I was accomplishing what they had told me I mean Nothing. My first bird was a damn Spoonbill but proud to be picking it next to some of the best with their limits of Mallard and Sprig. Wanting to give up you damn bet you I did but new if I did it was over, and I was on my own.
So secretive yes sir, know it all No sir, but willing to help any young kid that has the strong willing to learn? yes sir! All that we learn, and many take more time than others, but should we be harder on those hell no its time that makes one good at what he does and some learn things faster. I was one of those slow learners but was on the water more than one who learned things faster. That slow learning made it stick and never forgot.
When I look back at that 12–13-year-old with a limit of sprig on his boat I thought how many days my G Dad hauled me to that bay to learn and become where I am today.
I don't consider us as special at all and willing to help any that need the help and give up a secret that will help why not we just don't take them to far at once because you're not learning the right way to approach a bird and instead of a log shot for one bird if you do it right you will kill 3 Drake mallards with those three shots. So, it's a game we play also with ourselves. Then there is a time when we can double up on a shot and those can come pretty easy if you have the patience.
So, it's not that a sculler throws the things he has learned out there so easy as it really isn't helping one to become a good sculler. It's a learning process. I hope it continues on the eastern seaboard as it is becoming a lost art here on the west coast yea there are a few but far and few between.
Vince, you should give it a try and see if you like what you see you might like it. Good hunting to you, my friend. MikE

Mike,

Many years ago I was came very close to buying a Scullboat from Lock Stock & Barrel. I already had my share of duckboats and not having a house of my own storage was already a issue. Also none of my gunning partners were as interested in it as I was. The local lakes held many ducks and geese that could only be hunted with a Scullboat late in the season. I have used my double end Marsh boat in small lakes and larger bodies of water to scull down on birds with success. Not laying down but staying low until the birds were flushed in range. My days of laying down in a boat or any kind of a blind for waterfowl hunting are over due to lower back injury. The spirit is willing the body sez NO, and that's that. If there is a quota for ducks and geese taken in a lifetime I do believe I've reached or exceeded it. My dreams have been full filled and then some.

The "Scullers" that I encounter these days are all young waterfowlers. This makes me Smile. Their boats are very barebones and lightweight that can be cartopped unlike most of the boats I've seen in the past. They are very good at what they do and are always willing to talk after the hunt. I enjoy watching them in action from a vantage point on shore. Their mobility to go from one body of water to another that are holding birds is very impressive it seems as though no place is to far to travel IF conditions are good for sculling. One hunter I encountered followed Redheads with a passion as many stop on the lakes before heading south to NC.

Sculling is indeed a Art. It seems some of the new practitioners are streamlining the art yet keeping the skills alive and well.

I wish you Good Hunting.

Best regards
Vince