July 18, 1896.] 
J^OREST AND STREAM. 
AflERICAN GAME PARKS. 
The "Forest and Stream's" Third An- 
nual Report on Game in Preserves. 
Part One. — Fenced Parks.— Concluded. 
The present report deals with game in fenced parks or 
in localities where from natural conditions there is no 
fluctuation of the supply that cannot readily be accounted 
for, and where the number of animals can be determined 
with a reasonable degree of accuracy. 
While it is not always possible to make an exact esti- 
mate of the game in fenced parks, the correct figures can 
generally be pretty closely approximated. The winter is 
probably the beat time for taking such a census. When 
the snow is on the ground an expert can form a very cor- 
rect estimate from the tracks, even if the animals are not 
seen. Elk, on account of their habit of banding up, are 
among the animals most easily counted. 
The following table is of interest by showing the in- 
crease of the various species of game animals from year 
to year. The figures were furnished by the owners or 
their representatives, and the increase, unless stated to 
the contrary, is in most part due to births: 
BLUE MODNTAIN PARK, AtT8TI^f OOBBIN K3TATK, 26 000 ACRES, 1889. 
1891. im. 1894. 1895. 1896. 
Buffalo 25 .32 40 55 75 
Elk GO 150 400 750 1000 
Deer 70 130 400 700 1000 
Wild Boar 18 .. 250 500 1200 
Moose 12 .. 60 100 150 
Caribou 6 7 . i 
Antelope , 6 ^ 30 i 
Beaver .. 2 
MANHATTAN BEACH, t I. 
Elk 25^ 
BABYLON, h. I. 
Elk... 2i 25= 
Deer 18 30a 
FnRLOCQH LODGE, GKORGK J. GOULD, 500 ACRKS, 1889. 
1889-1894. 1894. 1895. 1893. 
Elk 513 35 50 70 
Virginia deer and black- 
tail deer .... 23* 111"' 15 ■ ao" 
TRANQUILITY PARK, RUTHERFURD STOYVESANT. 4,000 ACRES, 1890. 
1890-1S94. 1894 1895 1896. 
Elk 20' 20 » 40 
Virginia de«r 30 80 .. 200 
Black tail d^er 4 ' 
Buffalo 11 .. ^1" 
Beaver.. 7 4" .. 12 
NB HA-SA NW. PARK, DR. W. SEWARD WBBB 9,000 ACRES, 1893. 
1 893-1 !=94. 1894. 1895 1896. 
Elk 37i« :i7 67 35i* 
Virginia deer ., .. 275 
Mocse .. a 16 
Blacb-tail depr .. 3 
Antflope . . 2 • 
LlTOHFtELD PAIK, BDWARD H LITCHPIKLD, 9,000 ACRES, 1893. 
1893-18 '4 1894. 1895. 1896. 
Ek 11 8 8 27 
MUck-tail deer .,, .. .. .. 5 
Virginia deer .. .. .. 125 
1 Dead. 
^ Elk and deer transferred from Long Island to Blue Mountain Park. 
= Forty-four elk were acquired by purchase, seven births, deaths no 
doubt due in large part to injuries reeeivf-d at time of capture or in 
transport. 
* Fourteen Virginia deer and four black-tails were acquired by pur- 
chase; five deer were born, species not stated. 
■' Species not stated. 
» Fifteen Vlrgioia deer and five black-tails. 
' These elk were purchased in the spring of 1893. There were five 
bulls and fifteen cows, 1 to 2 years old. 
8 No report in 1895. 
" All died in good condition. 
1" Bull buffalo dead. Two half-breeds from cross with Galloway 
cows. 
" Two escaped and one died previous to this report. 
" Large increase reported. 
13 November, 1893, acquired by purchase ten 2-year-old8 and twelve 
8-vpar-oldB. January, 1894, fifteen yoarliogs. 
14 S-'e letter from Supt. Halleck. 
Ne-ha-sa-ne Park, Lake Lila, N. Y., June 25.— Editor 
Forest and Stream: As nearly as we can find out, the 
antelope and black-tail deer died a year ago last winter, 
when nearly half the game through the Adirondacks 
died, and this was the trouble with our elk. Our game 
wintered finely last winter and the elk are showing up 
some nice calves this spring. F. G. Hallegk. 
Blue Mountain Park. 
Can the large game of America be preserved? has 
been very thoroughly answered in the affirmative by the 
(we were going to say) experiments of Austin Corbin in 
the Blue Mountain Forest, New Hampshire, but the ex- 
perimental stage was passed three years ago and the 
enormous increase, by breeding in all the herds, proves 
that it would not take many years to restock all the pub- 
lie lands of which the boomers have not got hold ; and 
with strict laws properly enforced our forests would 
again resound with the sounds which gladden a sports- 
man's heart. 
At the Blue Mountain Park a whole mountain and two 
large valleys have been inclosed by strong fencing. Fif- 
teen keepers are constantly on the watch, their cottages 
being connected by telephone with the superintendent's 
residence and the central station, so that if help is needed 
it can be obtained at once. Reports are made every 
morning to the superintendent of all animals seen the 
previous day and any occurrence calling for attention. 
It is only seven years ago that the first few animals 
were turned loose, yet to-day there are over three thou- 
sand. 
Within the forest there are as near as can be figured 
sixty buffalo and fifteen calves. The increase has been in 
the same ratio as domestic cattle. Of moose there are 150, 
the original stock having trebled in four years. The elk 
number nearly 1,000: the increase has been in the same 
proportion as the moose. There are 1,000 deer, including 
the Columbian black-tail, the mule deer, the English, red 
Hungarian and Virginia white-tail. The English deer are 
the most fruitful and the hardiest. There does not seem 
to be any cross breeding, so far as can be noticed the dif- 
ferent strains seeming to herd by themselves, though an 
occasional deer may be seen with both the moose and 
elk. 
Fourteen wild boar were loose in the forest, five males 
and nine females, in the spring of 1884. There are not lees 
than 1.200 within the fence to-day; of this number fifteen 
have met their death at the hands of hunters. The aver- 
age weight was 250lb8. dressed, but some have been seeii 
who would tip the scale at fully 4001bs. It takes a big 
bullet, .44cal. at least, to penetrate their shaggy hides, 
and unless a vital spot is reached even that will not stop 
them. The bristles are so strong and thick around the 
breapt and shoulders that even a large bullet wUl not 
penetrate. 
Hunting the boar is a difficult task. It takes several 
men and nearly a dozen dogs. Of the latter yon can 
never tell how many you will bring back, for the boar 
when cornered is a fighter and more than a match for 
three dogs; in fact he could whip the whole dozen single- 
handed. 
The viodus operandi is: You mount your men on musi- 
tangs or polo ponies that are easily handled, then you 
loose your dogs, boarhounds and setters, which latter are 
little fellows in comparison to the hounds; but they have 
keen noses, and make up in intelligence what they lack in 
weight. Well, if you have good luck this result follows: 
the dogs strike the scent — the little fellows first always — 
there is a great deal of sniffing and whimpering, then sud- 
denly one big dog lifts his head and utters a most musical 
howl, and the whole pack join the chorus and start with 
heads down and tails up; but no boar in sight. This con- 
tinues for an hour or perhaps two, for it seems as if the 
pig would never stop; but he does when you least expect 
it. He does not stop because he is tired, but to get a 
chance at the dogs who have been annoying him. He 
usually selects a big tree trunk to back up against. The 
dogs form in front of him and bark at him, then one more 
courageous than the next dashes in, but if the pack does 
not back him up he is sure to get hurt. The hunters by 
this time have overtaken the dogs and unsling their rifles, 
getting ready for a shot. This is the critical moment; the 
boar and dogs are moving all the time, and if the aim is 
not true there is a probability that one of the dogs will be 
laid low instead of the boar. The best dog in the kennel 
was lost in this way in 1894. 
The first shot seldom kills, and three or four are neces- 
sary to finish him. Being dead, the pig is loaded on one of 
the horses, taken to the central station, dressed and himg 
up. After a few days the cutting up and distributing is 
done, and several people are made glad with a feast of 
Toaat wild boar, "a dish fit for the gods." 
Considerable attention must be given to the dogs, so 
that they will not stray, a few dogs having been lost in 
that way, and there is a well-defined idea that the said dogs 
fell victims to some herd of pigs, as they never returned 
to the kennels. 
The dog kennels are well filled, there being about 
seventy-five in all. They comprise Great Danes, French 
boarhounds, English and American foxhounds, boar set- 
ters, beagle hounds, fox terriers, etc. 
Of the Himalayan wild goats it is impossible to say 
how many there are, as the only time they have been 
seen was early in the morning and then at such a dis- 
tance up the mountain that it was impossible to count 
them. The same may be said of the Rocky Mountain 
sheep. 
The Flemish rabbits have nearly all fallen a prey to the 
native foxes, who will not be eradicated no matter how 
many are shot each winter. The American Brer Rabbit, 
however, is too cute for Mr. Fox and consequently thrives. 
The two breeds do not affiliate. 
There are a large number of trout in the streams and 
black bass and pickerel in the lakes, while among the un- 
invited guests in the preserve are lots of coons, porcu- 
pines, etc. There is also a colony of pine martens that 
helps deplete the stock of small game. 
The accidental death of Mr. Austin Corbin on June 4 wUl 
not cause any alteration in the plans set out for the care 
of Blue Mountain Forest, as Mr. Austin Corbin, Jr. , will 
give it the same care and attention that his father did; in 
fact the scheme to found this grand preserve was con- 
ceived by the younger Mr. Corbin, who has always taken 
the greatest interest in all the arrangements and who is 
thoroughly versed in the habits of all the animals.. 
The writer suggested to Mr, Austin Corbin, Jr., that 
this was a grand chance for the National Grovernment to 
purchase the whole property and the animals, but Mr. 
Corbin said very emphatically: "The property or animals 
are not for sale to the Government or anyone else. My 
father took great pleasure in the possession of the Blue 
Mountain Forest and its inhabitants, and I shall not 
change any of his plans." T. H. Ryan, 
In an article in the Journal of Education on the elk of 
Blue Mountain Park, Mr. C. I. Rice says: 
"They are perfectly harmless, as a rule, except in the 
fall, when the bucks in a greater or less degree lose their 
fear of man. After the middle of August each year 
printed notices, giving warning of the pugnacious disposi- 
tion of these animals, are given to all visitors as they enter 
the pat k. 
"Personally I have never seen the least disposition on 
the part of an elk to do anything but runaway; there are, 
however, occasional individuals of this species that for 
some reason or other become depraved and attack every- 
thing. I know of only one such having been at Blue 
Mountain, and an account of the close of his career will 
illustrate the toughness of tbis animal and his indifference 
to ordinary chastisement, as well as its unreasoning disposi- 
tion to attack anything that comes in its way after its 
temper is soured, 
"A number of men engaged in repairing roada, seeing 
this old buck approaching, succeeded in getting their 
horaes into a barn and closing the doors. Not to be de- 
terred from carrying out his purpose of attacking some- 
thing, the elk retired across the road, and, low^ering his 
head, as if charging upon one of his own kind, came 
against the building like a whirlwind, and with such 
momentum as to push the points of his antlers through 
the boards. Finding, after two or three attempts, that 
he could not break in, he started around the barn to re- 
connoiter. This gave the nen a chance to make a dash 
for the house across the road, the door of which stood 
open, and, as they found when they got in, 
could not be closed. After making a circuit of 
the ham the elk saw where the men were and 
tried to make an entrance through the open door. In this 
he was foiled by the size of his antlers, but he showed his 
determination by elevating his muzzle, thereby laying his 
antlers back on his shoulders and pushing his head as far 
in as possible. One of the men, thinking to drive him 
away, found an old ash scythe-snath, and standing on one 
side of the door, belabored the animal with full strength 
on the nose, hut with so little effect that he hardly winced. 
An hour or two of this captivity grew monotonous, and it 
v^ag decided to try more heroic measures; some one in 
the party had a ,44ca]. revolver, and, aiming not to kill, 
put five balls into the old belligerent before he began to 
move off. A few days later Superintendent Stockwell 
was in the park and ended the matter with a rifle ball just 
as the elk was about to charge on him." 
Part Two— Unfenced Preserves. 
Cutting Preserve. 
Cutting Preserve includes the northeast quarter of 
Riversdale in Township No. 13, St. Lawrence county, N. 
Y. It has been well cared for during the past year 
and only six deer have been killed on the entire preserve. 
I find it very difficult to keep people from going in and 
killing deer in June and July, when the weather is warm, 
and a trespasser can camp anywhere and. the deer come 
down to the water to get rid of the deer flies, 
I am not posted as to the law relative to the fine, but it 
seems to me that if one-half or three-quarters of the fine 
could be paid to the informant it would then become 
so dangerous for a man to kill a deer out of season that 
very few would be killed at that time; but as it is now, a 
man living on the outskirts of the Adirondacks will go 
into the woods out of season and get a deer and go home 
and divide up with his neighbors; but if his neighbors 
could get a large part of the fine they would be more in- 
clined to report the unlawful killing of deer. 
In order to prevent the illegal killing of deer I have 
been obliged to keep a man constantly on the watch, and 
in spite of that we have from one to two deer kiUed out 
of season every year. After the open season commences 
it is then not so easy for a man to camp anywhere that 
night may overtake him. and deer are not coming to the 
water the way they are in hot weather, and we have no 
trouble in keeping trespassers away, but during the close 
season it is very difficult both in the early summer and 
during the winter, for during the winter men from lum- 
ber camps often go out hunting for deer to supply their 
camps. 
On account of the protection that we have given to the 
deer and having allowed so few to be killed, we know the 
quantities have increased on the preserve a great deal 
during the past year. On the east side of my preserve 
the deer have been very nearly exterminated on account 
of the hounding having been allowed and the woods 
being full of hounds after deer during the whole season, 
and they are not satisfied with the season, but put their 
dogs out late in the fall. 
1 think that there should be more deputy game wardens 
for the months of June and July than there are at present 
employed, for the deer during that time are getting very 
little protection outside of the preserves. 
As to the fishing, the brook trout are now much more 
numerous and larger than they have been, for we have 
taken only enough fish for camp use, none being taken to 
be carried away and no more being taken than are actu- 
ally wanted in the camp. 
We have during the past year put quite a quantity of 
yearling salmon trout into the lake which borders on my 
preserve (Lake Ozonia), also a quantity of lake trout fry 
are to be put in this season. 
The beaver on my preserve appear to be doing well and 
have not been molested. 
The partridges seemed to be more abundant last season 
than in the previous years, 
I have done nothing toward introducing any exotic 
game species. Frank A. CUTTiNa. 
Morehouse Lake Club. 
With an experience of forty-five years of from two to 
six weeks in the Adirondacks each year (spring and fall) 
I see that brook trout in public waters are becoming very 
scarce, while in private waters they are in most caises 
increasing. As to deer, it is my opinion that there was a 
continual increase in the number of them from the time 
the last wolves and panthers were destroyed, which was 
about fifteen years since, until the winter of 1894-5, when 
from some unknown cause a great many died. But just 
so sure as hounding is stopped deer will be entirely wiped 
out. Hounding keeps them wild and not so easily ap- 
proached by the still-hunter, W, W. Moshee. 
Adirondack Timber and Mineral Company's 
Park. 
It is less than one year since I obtained possession of 
80,000 acres of the best game country in the Adirondacks 
and converted it into a private park in accordance with 
the game laws relating thereto. It is safe to say that 
fully 500 more deer are in the park than there were a year 
ago. This marvelous increase is accounted for by the fact 
that no deer were allowed to be killed in the water or that 
was being run by dogs anywhere during the last hounding 
season . Hounding was practiced on all lands surrounding 
the park. Deer were driven into the waters in the park, 
where they got away from the dogs and remained in the 
park. My gamekeepers saw them every day in the lakes 
that were driven there from outside the park. Seven deer 
passed through one small lake in one day and the dogs 
not allowed to pursue any further. A year ago last vdn- 
ter I don't think that over fifty deer wintered within 
three miles of my house. But judging from the report of 
competent judges who traveled over the ground last 
March, hunting dogs that were killing deer on the deep 
snow, I should say that fully 500 deer wintered within 
three miles of my house. The dogs made sad havoc 
among the deer and always will on the borders of woods 
so long as dogs are allowed to be used, no matter how 
short the season, as these dogs will be kept. I think fully 
200 deer were killed. One large black dog killed eight 
deer in one day. This we know, for we followed the dog 
and found eight carcasses, and two were driven into an 
open place in the ice and drowned. There were thirty 
days in which this dog could kill deer just as easily as on 
that day. I had from two to five men on the ground for 
two weeks of the last deep snow trying to clean out the 
dogs. We killed one, but the one that killed the eight 
deer in one day we did not get until about ten days ago. 
I offered a reward for the dog dead or alive, and he was 
finally shot on the Beaver River Club groimds at Still- 
water. Grouse were unusually plenty last fall, and as 
this spring is favorable for their increase I anticipate an 
abundance next open season. Of course there has been 
no time for increase of trout, but I hope by proper pro- 
tection to make better trout fishing. I inclose rules 
adopted in regard to fishing. Chas. Fbnton. 
"The following rules and regulations in regard to fish- 
