<P> As more immigrants came to America in the late 18th and 19th centuries, the need for more food became greater . Market hunting started to take form, to supply the local population living along the Atlantic coast with fresh ducks and geese . Men would go into wooden boats and go out into the bays hunting, sometimes with large shotguns . They would bring back a wooden barrel or two of ducks each day . Live ducks were used as decoys as well as bait such as corn or other grain to attract waterfowl . </P> <P> The rise of modern waterfowl hunting is tied to the history of the shotgun, which shoots a pattern of round pellets making it easier to hit a moving target . In the 19th century, the seemingly limitless flocks of ducks and geese in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways of North America were the basis for a thriving commercial waterfowl hunting industry . With the advent of punt guns--massive, boat - mounted shotguns that could fire a half - pound of lead shot at a time--hunters could kill dozens of birds with a single blast . This was the four and six gauge shotgun . This period of intense commercial waterfowl hunting is vividly depicted in James Michener's historical novel Chesapeake . </P> <P> Although edible, swans are not hunted in many Western cultures due to hunting regulations, and swans were historically a royal prerogative . Swans are hunted in the Arctic regions . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject . You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate . (December 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table>

When did lead shot became illegal for waterfowl