Mat 86, 1881.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



# 



329 



law pretty good. However, I would urge slight changes as 

 to time of open season, and would utterly taboo " floating," 

 were it not for that class of sportsmen who delight in it'as 

 furnishing the only chance for them to kill a deer. Perhaps 

 if I suggest a .substitute for that sort of sport I will be for- 

 given, if 1 do urge the suppression of floating. 



My ad vice, theb, to the sportsman who desires the prominence 

 which is achieved by killing a deer ahead of the "jack" is: 

 Take the money with which you would pay your guides, hotel 

 bills aud other expenses, and with it buy a cow, tie her to a 

 tree, then stand at the distance of twenty feet and shoot her. 

 You will be entitled to fully as much credit for skill, be sub- 

 jected to less discomfort, and secure more meat than you 

 would should you kill a deer before the " jack." Should 

 you desire to do something particularly brilliant, give the 

 cow the run of the barn-yard when you open your battery 

 upon her. Killed at the first fire, under these conditions, the 

 exploit will win more fame for you than you can ever hope to 

 secure by "floating" for doer. 



I think if the open season were to commence Sept. 1 and 

 close December 16 the change would be beneficial. When a 

 deer weighing 200 pounds is killed four or five miles from any 

 road or habitation of man, as is frequently the case, and is 

 exposed to an August temperature somewhere up among the 

 nineties, the chances are that by the time it is put upon ice it 

 will be more, suitable food for buzzards than human beings. 

 Deer arc in much better condition after than before Septem- 

 ber 1, The fawns are larger and better able to take care of 

 themselves. No reasonable objection can be urged to chang- 

 ing the close of the open season from December 1 to De- 

 cember 15. 



The deer are usually in good condition up to January 1. 

 Snow is not usually deep enough to make crusting possible 

 before January 1. Then, it would more nearly equalize 

 the opportunity for stalking and coursing. 



"What I have written is written because I believe it to be 

 true, and because I would insure to all an equal chance to 

 enjoy sport in the way that pleases them best;, consistent 

 with efficient game protection. I likethe idea of basing game 

 laws upon the practical experience of sportsmen, rather than 

 upon the selfish demands of a class. I am glad that we hear 

 no more about renting shooting privileges and taxing guns. 



However well such measures may work in other countries, 

 1 think they would work only mischief here. The average 

 American is too intelligent, his love of equality and hatred of 

 anything that smacks of class distinction too strong for such 

 measures ever to become popular in this country. 



Replying briefly to the questions you propound, I would 

 say: 



1st. I have hunted deer in several States, and find their 

 habits practically unaffected by the "character of the coun- 

 try " they inhabit. 



3d and 5th. Since it has been the fashion to "do the Adi- 

 rondacks," viz.: for the last three or four years more deer 

 have undoubtedly been killed or destroyed during the months 

 of May, June and July, in that section, by the method com- 

 monly called "Floating" than byall other methods combined. 

 It is practiced principally by " sportsmen " (?) from the city. 



3d and 4th. "Hounding" and "still hunting " deer does 

 not drive them permanently from their chosen haunts. 



6th. In some sections they would. In the great majority 

 of sections they would not. 



7th. Such a law would be impracticable. 



8th. Practically from about the 1st of May to the 1st of 

 Decenibor in this State. 



9th. "The winter habits of deer," like their habits at other 

 seaBousof the year, are governed by their instincts of self- 

 preservation. To auswer the questions fully and in detail 

 would be to "write a book." The answers given above are 

 based upon personal observation and reliable statements of 

 guides and residents. Jos. W. Shttrter. 



We have, awaiting publication, a farther communication 

 on the subject from "Adrian Ondack." 



DEER IN MASSACHUSETTS. 



PLYMOUTH Woods in Eastern Massachusetts is some 

 70 miles in length by from 8 to 16 miles in 

 width, extending from Plympton to Falmouth and be- 

 yond, and a rather barren tiillv district of scrub oak and 

 stunted pitch pine, with once in a while a cedar swamp or 

 piece of lowland white pine, with many ponds and brooks. 

 All over the land is the blue huckleberry and the roxberry, 

 which the deer are very fond of. There are yet quite a num- 

 ber of deer there, and a day's ride from Plymouth to Sand- 

 wich will reveal quite a number of tracks crossing the roads. 

 Forty years ago deer were very abundant, and it was not an 

 uncommon thing to see drovesof from fifteen to twenty. I well 

 recollect, when my father used to fix up things in his corn 

 and rye fields to frighten away the deer that would come and 

 trample down and destroy his grain. Still-hunting was the 

 only way generally allowed, and if hunters owned and used 

 abound in killing" deer, tho clog would soon be killed some- 

 way. Finally some of the wealthier or more prominent men 

 in Kingston clubbed together and bought two or three deer- 

 hounds, and there were two or three owned in Plymouth, 

 and tbat winter there were not as many deer killed as when 

 still-hunting was practiced; the deer were more .often 

 wounded, and the dogs would sometimes "return bloody, 

 having come up with and killed tho deer, which could not 

 afterward be found. The next year deer were scarcer, and 

 when routed would seem to bound away for Sandwich, and 

 the dogs could not find their way back, being often lost or 

 stolen." Deer soon became so scarce in the northern end of 

 I lie woods that the Kingston party, uniting with the Plymouth 

 hunters, would not start a deer in an all day's hunt. Finally 

 deer hunting was given up for a few winters at the north 

 end, and the hunters, by hounding them at the more southern 

 part of the woods, drove them north again, and they were 

 quite plenty, but on hunting them again with hounds we 

 drove them all off south, and for ten years past but one or 

 two deer have, been seen in all the woods north of Plymouth, 

 with one exception. A large buck's track was seen at the 

 old guide board crossing, arid 1 was one of the party that 

 went for him. We started him in Watson's Valley, and lie 

 struck out straight for Falmouth, and the dog was soon out 

 of hearing, and we have never seen him since^ The deer now 

 seem to abound most in tho more quiet wilderness in the 

 neighborhood of Great Herring Pond, some fifteen miles be- 

 low Plymouth, alibousdi their belter feeding.grouud is at the 

 northern end of Plymouth Wood?. From my experience in 

 both still-hunting n.nd hunting with dogs, more deer are 

 wounded and lost aud driven away from their feediug- 

 grounds by hunting with dogs. More deer when shot and 

 wounded are secured by still-hunting, and they do not seem 

 to be so disturbed nor frightened away.— G. F, W, 



MIDDLESEX COUNTY ASSOCIATION. 



CONSTITUTION. 



Article I — Name. 



This Association shall be known as "The Middlesex 

 County Association for the Protection of Fish and game." 

 Article II— Object. 



The object of this Association is to insure a rigorous en- 

 forcement of the game laws of this Slate throughout Mid- 

 dlesex County, and to promote the increase of game of all 

 kinds, including fish, wild birds and animals. 

 Article III— Officers. 



The Officers of this Association shall consist of a President, 

 and four Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Counsel 

 and an Executive Committee, consisting of the above-named 

 officers and five active members of the Association, whose, 

 duties shall bo such ns the by-laws prescribe, all of whom 

 shall be elected annually by ballot at the yearly meeting in 

 January- 

 Article IV— Members. 



Any resident of this County over eighteen years of age, 

 and of good character, shall be eligible to membership in this 

 Association. 



Article V— Quorum. 



At any meeting of this Association seven members shall 

 constitute a quorum, and a majority vote shall be necessary 

 to the election of any officer, or the transaction of any 

 business. 



Article VI— Amendment to Constitution and By-Laws. 



The By-Laws sha'l be of equal binding force with the Con- 

 stitution," and no alterations or amendments shall be made in 

 either, unless proposed in writing at a preceding meeting and 

 adopted by the concurrent votes of two-thirds of those 

 present. 



BY-LAWS, 



No. 1— Executive Committee. 



The. general management of the business of the Association 

 shall be intrusted to the Executive Committee. 

 No. 2— Annual Meeting. 



The annual meeting of the Association shall be held the 

 third Wednesday in January of each year, at such hour and 

 place as the Executive Committee may direct. If by any cause 

 such meeting shall fail to be held on such date, it shall be held 

 the corresponding day of the following week. 

 No. 3.— Duties of Officers. 



Section 1 . — It shall be the duty of the President to preside 

 at all meetings ; to see the rides and regulations strictly en- 

 forced; to give the casting vote whenever there is a tie, and 

 perform such other duties as usually appertain to the Presi- 

 dent of an Association. 



Sec. 2— The Vice President shall assist the President when 

 necessary, and in his absence perform all the duties and be 

 Invested with all the powers of President. 



Sec. 8. — I)i the absence of the President or Vice Presidents 

 from any meeting of the Association ; any member present 

 may be elected to preside, but shall have no power for any 

 other purpose. 



Sec. 4. — The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of the 

 proceedings of the Association, issue all notices required, and 

 keep the records and papers of the Association. 



Sec. 5.— The Treasurer shall receive all the moneys of the 

 Association, and see that all fees, charges and subscriptions 

 are regularly collected ; keep an accoimt of all moneys re- 

 ceived and expended, subject to the investigation of the 

 Executive Committee. He shall at each meeting of the 

 Association present a list of all delinquent members, and at 

 each annual meeting shall furnish an account of all the mon- 

 eys received and dispersed during the year. 

 " Sec. 0— It shall be the duty of tho Counsel to attend to all 

 legal affairs of the Association ; to bring suit immediately on 

 information of any infraction of the game law ; to report all 

 suits, instituted o"r pending, at each regular meeting of the 

 Association ; and to deliver to the Treasurer, as fast, as re- 

 ceived, all penalties collected for such non-observance of the 

 game law, after deducting Ids expenses. 



No. 4 — Executive Committee. 



Section 1.— The Executive. Committee shall make all pur- 

 chases authorized by the Association, have a general super- 

 vision and jurisdiction over the internal concerns aud regu- 

 lations of the Association, and assist the Counsel, when 

 required by him, to prosecute any infraction of the game laws. 

 They shall audit the accounts of the Treasurer ; they shall 

 serve as a Court of Appeil, by whom all questions shall be 

 decided as to the true meaning of any part of the Constitution 

 and By-Laws, and their decision shall be final ; aud they shall 

 have power to suspend auy officer, whose conduct shall have 

 been prejudicial to the welfare of the Association, until tho 

 next regular meeting. ' . 



Sec. 2. — The Executive Committee shall have full power 

 to fill any vacancy which may occur from death, resignation 

 or otherwise, among its officers, and any appointment so 

 made by them, shall be valid until the next annual election. 

 It shall also prescribe such rules regulating the affairs and 

 conduct, of the Association as, in their judgment, may from 

 time to time he necessary; provided, they do not conflict with 

 the Constitution and By-Laws. 



No. 5. — Dues. 



The annual dues of aclivc members shall be two dollars 

 ($3.00), payable at the annual meeting in advance. 

 No. 6. — Proposals and Election of Members. 



Section 1. — Propositions for membership may be made at 

 any meeting of the Executive Committee, if, on a two-third 

 vote of the members present, it be accepted, the candidate 

 may become, a member ; but no person shall be considered a 

 member until he has subscribed to the Constitution and By- 

 Laws and paid tin- dues of the current year. 



Sec. 3 .—Every gentleman, by becoming a member of this 

 Association, shall be considered ;is having 'pledged his honor 

 to promote and cany out, the objects of the Association ; and 

 whenever a member" shall have knowledge of any violation 

 of the game laws by killing game or fish, or having the same 

 in possession during prohibited seasons, it sha'l be the dnty 

 of such member to communicate the facts immediately to 

 the Counsel of the Association, whose duty it shall be to* en- 

 force the penalties of the law, in such case made and pro- 

 vided. 



No. 7.— Forfeiture of Membership. 



In case a member sbsJl neglect, to pay his dues for a period 

 of six months after notice given, he shall , ipso facto, cease to be 

 a member of the Association, and shall forfeit all right or claim 

 to the property of the Association. The names of such de- 

 linquents shall be striken from the list of members, on mo- 

 tion, at a regular meeting, and the Secretary shall notify him 

 or them of the fact ; but such member may be reinstated, 



within twelve months from the period of forfeiture, by the 

 unanimous vote of the Executive Committee, provided that 

 all his arrears are paid, 



No, 8. — Expulsion of Members. 



Any member guilty of violation of the game laws of this 

 State, or having knowledge of auy violation of the same by 

 any person, and failing to report to the proper authority, 

 may be expelled by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Com- 

 mittee ; but any member so expelled shall have the right of 

 appeal to the Association, which appeal shall be decided by a 

 majority vote of the members present, at a meeting called 

 for said purpose. 



No. 9. — Matters Not Provided For. 



All matters not particularly provided for in the Constitu- 

 tion and By-Laws shall be controlled by the Executive Com- 

 mittee, until specially passed upon by the Association at a 

 regular meeting. 



No. 10. — Special Meetings. 



Special Meetings may be called by the President and Sec- 

 retary on three days' notice, and it shall be their duty to call 

 a meeting on the written request of three members. 



OHAUTKK. 



State of Connecticut, ss. : \ 

 Office of Secretary of State.) 

 General Assembly, January Session, A. D. 1878. (Senate 

 .loiut Resolution No. 31). 138. Incorporating a Game 

 Club in Middlesex County. 

 Resolved by the Assembly : 



Section 1,— Tbat Joseph W. Alsop, Jr., Silas A. Robinson. 

 Samuel Bussed, O. Vincent Coffin, C. W. Harris, J. O. 

 Broateh, Robert N. Jackson, George A. Chaffee, Charles G. 

 R. Vinal, A. Putnam, John R. Pitt, Jr., O. V. Grovcr and 

 George M. Pratt, all of Middletown; George H. Comstock, of 

 Center Brook; Isaac Arnold, of llandam ; Win. Glover 

 Buell, of East, Hampton in Chatham ; W. W. Coe, of Port- 

 land ; Wm. Lyman, of Middlefield ; H. R. Wooster, of Deep 

 River ; Charles 8. Hough, of Essex, and George 

 H. Davis, of Durham, and all sueh other persons 

 as may be from time to time associated with them, 

 together with their successors, be, and they hereby 

 are, constituted a body corporate and politic, by the name of 

 " The Middlesex County Association for the Protection of 

 Fish and Game ;" and by said name shall have perpetual suc- 

 cession, and be capable, in law to purchase, lease, hold, pos- 

 sess and convey real and personal estate, and to receive 

 any real and personal estate devised or bequeathed 

 by any person or persons capable of making the same ; ;.t«- 

 Vi&ed, that the said corporation bill shall not at any time hold 

 real estate exceeding in value the sum of ten thousand 

 dollars. And said Corporation shall have power to sue and 

 be sued, plead and be impleaded, in all courts and places 

 whatsoever ; may have a common seal, and may change 

 aud alter the same at pleasure; may elect such otficers as 

 they may find necessary and convenient, and make and carry 

 into effect such by-laws as they may deem necessary, not re- 

 pugnant to the laws of this State and the United States. 



Sec. 2.— This Act may be altered, amended, or repealed at 

 the pleasure of the General Assembly, and shall take effect 

 from the date of its passage. 

 Approved, 3farch 36, 1878. 



State of Connecticut, ss : > 

 Office of Secretary of Stpta ) 

 I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of record 

 in this office. 



In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my 

 hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at 

 Hartford, this 38th dar of March A. I). 

 1878. 



Dwight Morris, 



Senretnry of State. 



[t. s.] 



FORM OF LEASE. 



Know all men by these presents, that 



of the Town of Middlesex County, 



State of Conneciicut, for, and in consideration of One l < li ' 

 to each of us in hand paid by "The Middlesex County As- 

 sociation for the Preservation of Game and Fish," and an 

 Honorary Membership to each of us in said Association with 

 all the privileges of regular membership except that of voting, 

 during the term of five years, or so long as we shall respec- 

 tively continue this license, have let unto said Association for 



the term of five years from the day of .....18... 



the right to stock with game auy and all lands and farms 

 owned by us respectively, within said County, and all streams 

 and ponds thereon with fish, together with the right to pro- 

 tect the same, and the sole right and privilege of hunting and 

 fishing thereon and tnerein ; said rights of hunting and fishing 

 to be exercised by its individual members under such regula- 

 tions and restrictions as the said Association may itself 

 adopt, 



It being understood and agreed that all damages done to 

 our walls and fences by said members while in the exercise 

 of the above granted privileges, shall be promptly repaired 

 by them ; and further, that upon six months notice, in writ- 

 ing, prior to the first of April in any year, either of us may 

 revoke our share of this license, and the same privilege is 

 reserved to tho Association. 



Signed with our hands and sealed with our seals this 



day of 18 



FORM OF PERMIT. 



Middlesex County. 

 Assocatiou for the Protection of Game and Fish. 



This Permit is not good unless endorsed with name of the 

 holder and countersigned by the President or Secretary of 

 the Association. 



Not Transferable. 



N.B. — Members are cautioned to keep this permit bythem, 

 as if they cannot show it when called for they will be liable 

 to be turned off the lauds of the Association:. 



Reminisoenofb of an Olo Fogy— No. 1.— 1 have shot 

 wild geese and wild turkeys in the same SCW-ficld on the 

 Missouri, between the Osage and the Gasconade. I have- 

 shot deer in Pennsylvania and Missouri, dock and uihl ;owl 

 in New Jersey, Ontario West and in Virginia; but old age 

 will tell, and now I can only think about (how things, lor I 

 am too old and have laid aside my gun, rod and tackle. I 

 did have a son who, as they said here, eraild catch fish 

 where there were none, but, alas I last summer he went to 

 the " Happy Hunting Ground," and so I ant left with only 

 my recollections. They may amuse your numerous readers'. 

 and so I send them. 



In the fall of 1868 we bad a hard storm of wind and rain 



