New-York tribune., 1902-07-20
SPORT ON LONG ISLAND
HOW GAME is PRESERVED on The
WILD LANDS OF SUFFOLK COUNTY

There is nothing OF which Long Island is mor.
proud than OF her long history. II is well estab
lished that 1si0 was the year when southoId a,d
Southampton. the oldest English towns on the ISL.
and, were settled Other villages claim aIrnos.
equal age There is probably county in ths
State that can lay claim more historical soots
than Suffolk County. Yet in spite OF all this age
IN spite of the fact that Long Island has been in
habited almost from the very earliest years OF
American settlement. there are to this dav great
tracts OF as wild land can be found in nany
new portion OF the West. Nor are these tracts i'm.
passaole swamps or impenetrable thickets On ths
contrary. they small wiIdernesses. where tha
forests and the lakes beautiful as need ba
sought AL kinds OF wild animals and birds ind
their haunts here, and breed in confidence and Iivs
except when the season is on-in security and
freedom. Not forty miles from New-YOrk deer ara
running about through the glades OF Long island,
no more unnaturally than they did when the
hungry explorers first found them useful. u il
altogether remarkable fact that In the very
heart Of one OF ths oldest parts OF the United
States there still exists this almost primevaI condi-
ton of wild life. The explanation is that for
many generations only the borders OF Long Island
on ocean and Sound. were settled Many OF the in
habitanIs even to this day ind their business on
the water. and, while farming has for long time
been one OF the islands chief industries. the farm
ers. especially in the eastern half OF the island
keep within easy distance OF the ocean. and have
not made rapid progress into the heart OF ths
island for the central portion Is barren thIckIy
covered with scrub oak and pines. Until within
the last few the transportation facilities
such that IL did not pay 10 get far on the regular
routes OF travel
Many years ago il was recognized that Long
Island ideal place for sport. Those who
were wont TO spend weeks there in cunning and
fishing that the game at the mercy OF
every one. and killing could be carried wantonly
and destructively So 1t came about that lovers Of
sport got together and formed themselves into
clubs protective associations, which either
bought large of land outright else leased
them for a certain number of years At first thess
clubs necessarily few. and covered only part
OF the available game land But gradually other
clubs and associations were formed. until
nearly every town on the island has a local or
ganizaton. and nearly every foot OF game land is
The purpose OF these clubs and associations is a
protect the game found on the lands and 70 propa.
protection OF the law sought to cover every offence.
minatiOn to let no stranger pass unwarned.
The game consists OF all the wild birds in tsvo'
sands are shot and the woods seeningly cleared
Deer also are pientifui and run about in Splendid
liberty, AS is the rule in the Adirondack, a man
days few, that he must be an earnest hunter
and good shot who would get his share OF venson,
these preserves The fsh strictly protected, and
stocked, and the progress Of the fish is closely
such a variety and abundance Of game AFFORD. Of
course; great deal 9f excellent sport. There are
Of woaderfSi Catches and remarka6ie shots. and
the splendid sport in general As nearly every
are members But the city man has as GOOD
chance tho native. There great many
clubs to which ne may belong. OF them being
high in social standing, others OF the sportsman
& island is the South Side Sportsman Cab Il has
great tract in the Islip district, At Brookhaven,
famous for It's trout streams, the we'll known Suffolk
County Club has its home. The WaVeriy Gun Club
Is situated at HOltsville. and the Brooklyn Gun
Club at SmithtOwn. Along the Peconic Bay many
clubs have been organized They all formed
have good sport and 10 preserve. as far as pos
sbe the wild creatures Of the great tracts Os land
In the interior OF Long Island.