The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-07
THE LONG ISLAND DEER.
ssyviIis Is Beginning TO Get Excited Owes
Its Annual sport.

On Nov. 10 and for nine days thereafter deer
may be shot on Long Island. Now. there Is only
one spot on Long Island that even pretends to
have deer. That spot Ii Sayville. No native
Sayvillite can be found who will not swear that
the woods abound with game-particularly
venison. He has the word of every one of
the 300 or more men who yearly tramp through
the country. And in this country are thickets,
and little ponds. and rivers. and dense under
brush, and all the other evidences OF the I'M
trodden forest which are to be found in the dark
interiors of Maine or the Businesses OF the Adj
rondacks.
The Sayvillites live and thrive on these
stories. They think of them during the long
winter evenings. They grow excited over them.
The hunters become heroes in their eycs-men
of wondrous mould. exceeding brave. To the
romantic eyes OF the hunters and TO the in
famed imhginatons OF the natives there are
deer which run about in herds of twenty and
thirty just dying to be chased and shot Old
Farmer Rhoades who lives on the edge of the
forest near Oakdale. insists that the deer in
wade his farm, tear down fences, pull I'D beets
and onions, and otherwise disport themselves
All this is within plain sight OF his house. and
within easy rifle range. But Farmer Rhoades,
like "Sy' Sykes, never eats venson. Farmer
about in the shadows near his shanty ali day
long. At night they come even TO the door, and
lick Up The he salt Which he obgngly spreads on
on one occasion, after a three days tramp. They
dragged the bullet, riddled carcase TO town. and
have never ceased telling thrilling stories of
their adventures in that chase.
II rumOr can be- believed there were eighty
year: II the actual witnesses must be taken
the hunters bagged less than dozen. most OF
the intelligence OF the modern Long Island
deer. The animals are molested so little during
who are first on the ground have little or no
trouble getting near them, IL Is what the ir-
run across deer they give whoop OF joy.
Even that doesn't frighten the game. Then the
sportsmen-so called blaze away. But the firss
nightfall every deer in the island knows that
the law and Justice Wing no longer protect
OF the boys and remain there until they have
counted on ten full days. Then they appear
Half the men in sayville hire out as guides.
That is considerably more profitable than TO 20
The Runtsmen who go to Ssyville have plenty
OF money. No one can be good SPORTSMAN In
shess days unless his pockets are full OF cash.
They are rugged out as though for a two months
trip into the Adirondack There Is the same
There are blankets and woollen undsrc lothing,
rubber ponchos, gloves. and slouch hats.
All these things are slowed In the big creel-
shaped pack baskets with oil for the guns and
provisions enough for an army.
, Last year reporter went Will party OF three
keen sportsmen 10 Sayville. lie didn't intend
70 hnnt deer himself; he was there TO witness
After four hours tramping rough the woods,
during which time the guide was very nysteTi-
Gus, stopping to look at the ground, the carpet
OF leaves and twigs, the bark OF trees, the sun,
the clouds. and countless other things Of which
only 50 experienced hunter as himself knew
the Importance the party arrived at a swamp.
Here's the best spot on the island" wills
pered the guide. There, up on that mound 81
rocks, the one oNerErnwn with trees and brush
wood. Is the place for u.s."
IL took half an hour tn reach the position des-
ignated' Every step or two Jedish would stop
in the air and sniff like setter dog smelling a
steak. After this he would shake his head and
proceed more cautiously than ever. Once In
position the party scarcely dared breathe. In
an hour or two this grew tiresome. Then there
was noise in the bushes not far on. BY the
use Of vivid imagination form could be made
out. The guide declared Il was deer. After
Was still more noise In the bushes. Jediah said
the deer had heen wounded and had taken 10
the swamp. All hunted for that deer until late
In the afternoon. Then the, guide plotted one
lance Of perhaps three miles. The other two
hunters remained, waiting Ia put tine finishing
touches 70 the deer. The guide was TO return 70
them before midnight
When Jediah the huntsman and the reDorter
reached town il was nearly q O'Clock hut the
villagers were up. waiting for lust such
stragglers- The three went into the grocery
store and told Low they had Killed two deer and
wounded and driven two more into the hogs,
That was what the other two hunters were
camping out there for. Jedah swore il was ~.
reputation as a guide. The reporter, the hunts.
man. and S,e guide were hailed as great men
ana made much Of; Their reputation was estab-
lished for all time IN Ssyyille.
An I'm burned II ye haven't shot bnore dear
than any OF theF rest " said The guide ~ ~
train for Nes York pulled into the station
: we've he'd shot at er deer, an I'm gol durns4
II think any Of tbsE other fellsrs hsE'l'