The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-06-19
The Object Of Sportsmen's Associations.

of Mr. George Fowler, President of the
New York State Sportsmen's Association,
on the opening of the recent meeting of
the Association at WATERFOWL, very clearly
indicate the aim and objects of these asso-
Citations. 1t will be seen that they contem-
plate the performance of great and useful
work to the public, the benefits from which
will be shared by all classes of society:
awe do not congregate yearly for the
sole purpose of shooting pigeons, but have
other objects and legitimate purposes in
view, to-wit to procure the enactment of
laws for the protection of fish in our rivers
and lakes, and the game in our fields and
forests, and to see to the enforcement Of
those laos after they are enacted. While we
indulge in tournament annually in which
merely secondary, our primary object being
to protect the game and fish of our State.
There is time to dance, and time to sing,
and for all things. So with us. We betake
ourselves, first to the meeting of our State
Association, to compare views and recon-
mend necessary laws for enactment, inter
spersing the business with rifle practice,
with fly casting, with wing shooting, and
with comparing and giving premiums to
that fine animal, sometimes called mans
best friend, the noble blooded dog, our
faithful dog shall keep our company
TO learn to cut your bird down in his
flight is brave and gallant act. How
shall we learn to take the bird in season in
the most humane manner, other than first
practicng in the school for shooting on
the wing at the trap AS there are many
amateurs present, for their instruction l
will quote some remarks on wing shooting
that will tell you just how to win the Dean
Richmond Cup:
"Follow it not along the sky
| To take formal aim, but try
| To draw the trigger just as you
| At your guns end the object view;
! Nine times in ten the gun is right,
| At first obeying we'll the sight.
| But if you look and look again,
| And doubt and waver, it is plain
| Your hand has every chance to be
Betrayed by such uncertainty.
L
| The pleasing knack will soon be caught.
| But let me re- advise, for this
Prevents, I'm certain, many miss,
| Close neither eye, some good shots say
Shut up your left, that's not my way;
But still a man may take his oath
| He d better shut one eye than both.
| I've heard of men it may amaze
Who never care their guns to raise,
But fire them from the hip as true
As we can from the shoulder do.
l mention this that you may see
How motion doth with sight agree,
If your collected believe
Your hand will meier your eye deceive"
The truth is, that the secret of success
lies in this perfect sympathy between the
eye and the hand. Pardon me, gentlemen,
for the imputation that each and every one
of you are not already sufficiently skilled
to cut down your grouse, or partridge, at
the flash. l will make amends by the
compliments on the appearance of those
convened 1t has been my privilege to look
on many conventions, State and National.
And | challenge any other, whether politi-
cal, moral, educational or scientific that
sits annually in the State of New York, to
produce in its personnel higher degree of
intelligence or responsibility, or, if you
please, of financial success and standing
than sits in this hall tonight Moreover,
gentlemen, we claim not only respect, abil-
ity, intelligence, physique and good health
for sportsmen, but honor, bravery, patriot
ism, and antiquity. Through the long line
of kings, emperors, eminent oivines, states
men, and those celebrated in commerce,
finance and law, recorded in historical
literature, most were sportsmen in the true
sense and meaning of the word.
Let me entreat you to observe in the
meetings that are to follow this, not merely
the place of holding the next convention,
nor the prizes of the coming tournament,
but to study to command the respect OF
the true gentlemen sportsmen by adhering
to the text and principle on which oul
society is organized. Let not the gambler
or betting jockey come near it, but lift
your banner high above being soiled by
any of these and keep in view the plain
target at which the name of our society
directs us to shoot, viz: The protection Of
the fish and the game of the State of New
York. Again we tender you our warmes'
welcome"
tB-It is remarked that wood will last
much longer if left for the women folks tt