=^^ 



99 



CHAPTER XVIII 



How TO Organize Co-operatively for Successful 

 Pheasant Shooting 



When the fact that pheasants reared co-operatively can be made to 

 furnish all the sport that is desired and actually yield a dividend on the 

 investment becomes general knowledge, it would seem that there would 

 ensue such an increase in the breeding of these birds throughout the coun- 

 try as can hardly be estimated at the present time. This surprising state- 

 ment may be received with some incredulity, but its truth is demonstrable 

 and the thing is actually being done. 



PROFITABLE SHOOTING AT CLOVE VALLEY. I am much in- 

 debted to Mr. Henry Martyn Brigham, whom I have previously quoted at 

 length, for the following account of the activities of the Clove Valley Rod 

 and Gun Club which can be cited in proof of the statement made imme- 

 diately above: 



It is not only my opinion, but the opinion of Mr. Neil Clark, 

 our head game keeper, that it would be easily possible for a club, 

 having from ten to twenty members, to raise thirty-five hundred 

 to four thousand pheasants each year and release a thousand to 

 fifteen hundred for their own pleasure, sell the balance in the open 

 market, and, most astonishing of all, receive annual dividends on 

 their memberships instead of being compelled to pay annual dues. 



If clubs similar to ours could be organized and established 

 one or more in each county throughout the state, the question of 

 stocking the open covers with pheasants would be solved, without 

 expense to the state, and with profit, as well as sport, to the members 

 of such clubs. 



Early in the year 1911, I was requested by the Clove Valley 

 Rod and Gun Club, to go over its items of disbursement and sug- 

 gest such curtailments as would bring its expense within its income. 



For several years prior to that time the club had bred pheasants 

 and mallard ducks in considerable numbers, which were released 

 and shot by its members on its preserves in Dutchess County. 

 But, while this sport had proved exceedingly attractive, the balance 

 sheet each year had shown a considerable deficit, particularly at 

 the outset when considerable sums were necessarily expended in 

 building its breeding plant. 



I reached the conclusion that the expenses of the club could not 

 be substantially lowered without reducing the number of pheasants 



