Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-05-07
1.-THE PENINSULA.o
The Sporting Attractions OF the His.
s0rfc ChickAhOminy section.
A sportsman writes from Virginia to AJaeld

The Sporting Attractions OF the His.
s0rfc Chick&hOmtny section.
A sportsman writes from Virginia to Aseld
and Aaoat:
or Virginia known as tidewater, or, treating 1C
on narrower limits, 1t Is On the north side OF
James river. and constitutes what Is known as
the Peninsula. It ab0und5 With historic me n
Dries and landmarks, and may be said to con-
tain some Of the finest specimens OF colonial
architecture to be met within the bounds OF
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans The broad
fertile fields OF the large river plantatIoas re.
mind US OF an age and generation past. of
which we, the growth CT day, know notnin
q lis Ieailty. save through the marvellous tales
or TO have heard from the lips OF their parents
anecdotes Of the great landholders the Byrds.
OF Westover, OLD Benn Harrison. OF Berkeley,
Shirley. 0'
Thia Is section OF the country which has
charms TOT the sporteman. especially this
river OF at least forty miles. The Appom attox
enters the Janes river opposite the northern
portion, while the Chickahominy bounds iJ
from the James to IFS extreme upper boundary
on Henrico county, which for some distance is
separated from IL by small stream that re-
loices In the name OF Turkey Islan1 creek.
surrounded by water, besides being waJered by
numerous creeks and ponds.
II is purely an agricultural district, with not
a town or village Within It's boundaries. The
land IS uuduIatins, fertile neld5, towering for.
ISIS, 1nterminaDle swamps, snake like creeks,
lige level marshes and ponds being inter
speIaed In such manner as to make 1t one OF
the most attractive counties of he Old D,mln-
len. The Inhabitants PROBABLY consist of two
thirds negroes ana one third whites. Not nav
ing access TO any statistics at this writfnv 7
cannot vOuch for the eXactncss of this state
ment. o''o
A large variety Of game can be found in sea-
son, VIZ ;ieer foxes, turkeys geese, ducks OF all
Kinds, blue pullets, cartridges or quar-, wood
COCK. sora or rail, ROBBINS. squirrels Old bares
o. rabbits, raccoOns oppossuTns, offers, minks
muskTats, etc. There Is also large variety of
nsn, some OF which are gamey, and afford good
sport.
for the lover OF field and water sports, 1 am
sorry to say that do not know 10 IN living
here whom l can call sportsman. do not
think IL an extravagant statement to say, that
there Is hardly dozen thoroughbred or thor
oughly broken bird dogs in the county, and
hardly half that number that could compete
with second-rate dogs In any OF the Northern
neid Trials am at loss to explain this state
OF sporting affairs. so unnatural to Virginia,
and more unnatural to Virgtn1ans. 1 think Va
nave few men here who possess the means,
taste and talent for the spirited sports atten J.
and the saddle. yet shooting is but seldom
neard On their farms except friend visiting
from the neighbOr1ng cities should take turn
with the dog and gun.
AS for fishing. nave yet to hear OF the fasi-
Dent who has caught game fish scientifically,
and with improved appliances. Several years
packs OF fine hounds were owned By citizens
NOW Only know OF one or two gentlemen
VINO own even moderate packs, and / think
tneTe mas not been fox hunt for two years or
more.
II Is my belief that the greater number of
nose VINO Should constitute our sporting gen
Yemen are not possessed OF the wealth TO allow
tnem 10 enter the arena OF field sports, as they
mink becomes them and their station in iifa
but Is not this mistake on their part? They
nave no need OF snowy outfits, nor fancy dogs,
NOT guns costing two or three hundred dollars
Win such guns as they possess, ana dog that
may oe mad for an Insignificant sum or the ask
ipg. for there are dogs owned here, which,
though the northern sportsman may laugh at
tnem, mad they been properly handled would
rank as tO.eraOle ones for nose and STAYING
Qualities, even though the fashionable colors
ana pedtgrees be wanting. With this outfit.
which Is within the reach OF all, wholesome
day or recreation could be had.
w hsn airs Ct noon are mellow as the morn.
ana Drown the bloom up IN the seeding clover"
60 further, and with trlf1lng expense erect a
blind In the river, with a few decoys and not
only enjoy an hour or two OF rare SPORT. but
furnish their larder with what, when served az
capable COOK. Is worthy Of a kings TABLETOP
what IS better Than fat Wild duck?
the Wild turkey builds IT'S nest and rears jts
young on their broad acres, only to ill the mar.
ket Dag OF The pOt-hunter, aud even the deer
pIeyS upon their crops unmolested by then.
me nsh Ia our waters, though pleasing to the
palate and gamey to the Dack1n are seldom or
lever sought for except By those VINO take
them to the nearest mart.