The sun., 1897-08-29
NOW FOR THE WooDcook.
Unusually Good Sport to Ne Had in New Work
Thta Yenr.

Unusually Good Sport TO Ne Hnd in New Work.
This Year.
CHESTER. \. Y, Aug. 2s.-If the sportsmen OF
New Jersey would induce the Legislature of
their State to amend its game laws 30 as to
change tho date Of the opening OF tho woodcock
shooting season from July to Aug. l6, as 1t is
In New York State, they would not only add to
their own pleasure and profit, but also would go
far toward restoring to the woodcock haunts OF
Orange and Sussex counties their ancient glory.
In this latitude woodcock usually arrive from
the South in the latter part of March or early in
April Severe frosts and heavy rains may be ex-
pected to destroy the prospects Of hundreds of
nests during May perhaps three years in four.
Nature impels the parent birds to prepare for
second nesting, frequently at times when their
first fedginRs would have been able to fly II
the nests had been undisturbcd. In a great ma
jority Of seasons, therefore, where early summer
woodcock shooting is permitted, as 1t is
in New Jersey, the gunner finds
sons hatch OF birds weak Of wing, small
in body, and so tender and sensitive
that they frequently become worthless from
taint before they can be utilized for the table.
Ordinarily most OF the birds that fall plentfully
before the eportsmen's guns in July are not
more than two thirds the size they would have
been had wise legislation protected them until
the middle Of August. The result is that when
woodcock shooting should be at its bcst-when
the increased power OF fight in the birds and
the necessity OF greater skill and alertness in the
sportsman give greater zest to the sport-the
game haunts are SO thoroughly beaten and shot
over that II slaughter has not depopulated them,
terror. at least. has driven the birds elsewhere.
and there is small use for dog or gun.
This fact OF the non-protection Of fledgling
woodcock in New Jersey is the more exas.
perating hereabouts be sause this region borders
on hat State, and some OF the very best wood
cock grounds to be found anywhere lie in
Orange county on this side OF the border and in
Sussex county on the other side. The New York
state sportsman is not permitted TO raise gun
the close season TO the present date was great
In the woodcocks range the birds may ali seek
the Jersey side OF the line and fall victims to
the dweilers G on that side where they are at The
opens on this side True. the New Yorker may
shoulder his gun. II he is disposed, ami, cross
ing the line. join in the general slaughter OF
weakling birds but the ncongruity OF the pre-.
vaiing condition remains.
1t Is the opinion Of all old sportsmen, and no
locality has bcttcr.informed or more observant
ones than this region that II the Legislatures of
pass a law forbidding the hunting of woodcock
until Sept. in few years northern New Jer-
sey and It's bordering region in this State. es-
pecially in southern and central Orange county,
could boast woodcock shooting grounds un.
rivalled. They were such when Frank Forester
rational protection of the game is alone needed
to make them so again.
grown and strong OF wing. giving them a fair
showing for their lives. but they have passed
ing august. e Having The % bitter ~ c6"nee during ring
the fall months to protect themselves from the
shots or the gunner scores scores Of them would
escape 10 replcnish the region for another sea-
son Il the law pl otected them while in semi
helpless condition.
But" said a well-known Sussex county
| sportsman. SO long as the actions OF the New
Jersey legislature in this matter are moulded
southern Jersey and their influential friends in
New York and Philadelphia. there is no hope, OF
ling woodcock is too " delicious morsel 10 Be
spared from their tables. and they will have it
even at the expense Of the future Of the game"
sportsman has any basis OF fact it certainly is a
fact that all efforts to. prohibit early summer
Sotwithstandins these drawbacks. the locality
region any where near New York city. and The
preliminary conditions have been such to
been known for years. although last season @ was VAS
an exceptionally good one. For some reason the
belated moro than week last spring. which
caused hundreds of birds to nest in these
covers. instead Of continuing their flight
OF late frosts and destructive spring rains.
an And the first brood OF young suffered, no harm.
| field after the young birds tho unusual spell OF
rainy weather set in. Rain fell almost inces.
sanity for more than two weeks. during which
no cunning could be done. and the covers were
so wet that hunting was out Of the question for
several days after the weather cleared The
young woodcock were too wcll-Grown to be in.
1ured, and they had the benefit of all that
time free from dog and gun. The birds left
| the favorable upland covers The conseQne nee
| was that but little shooting in Jersey was in
| dulRed in before the close season In this State
was up. on Aug. 16. and the game is just to that
great degree more plentiful than II would other.
| wise have been. as the bags OF those who sought
| II on Monday last and those who have been out
since amply testify. The sportsmen who went
out on opening day and confined their hunting
TO the lowlands Jared poorly. but hose who
worked the uplands came home with bags OF
| from five to ten fine specimens. The low haunts
were still too wet.
Good sport and plenty of birds are reported
from all the points on the main line of the Erie
Railroad below here as far as Turner's. Some OF
the best centres for woodcock are on the New
burg short cut OF the Erie. the Newburg branch
especially In the vicinity Of Craigville; the Pine
and the Crawford branch from Middletown'
Chester is surrounded by excellent woodcock
grounds. On the main line of the Erie, about
Now Hampton. Otsvilie and Howells the pros.
poets Of woodcock shooting this season are re-
vicinity. A''
Partridges. as the rufed grouse is called in
this region, are also legal game In this State
now. The partridge hunters who were out on
notable bags were obtained. particularly in the
covers about Monroe. on the Erie main line and
on the mountains between Chester and Green.
wood Lake. ~