Forest and Stream, September 4, 1879

A HINT TO SOUTHERN PLANTATION OWNERS.

Tourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - LodgesAfrican-Americans -- Other

There are in many of our States, noticeably in Virginia, North and South Carolinas, and others adjacent, scores of large estates upon which the very best of shooting is to be had. There are certain portions of every large plantation where at certain seasons the sportsman will meet assured success with the birds. In this abundance of game the land proprietors possess an unappreciated and undeveloped source of revenue. At present, with the exception of affording entertainment for friends and an unlimited supply of "sport" to our colored hero of the dollar shot gun, this possible game harvest is neglected. Meanwhile on the other hand, in our cities and towns are scores of sportsmen who are ever seeking new and profitable fields to conquer. They either expend a large amount of money in car fare to go to the far West without any very definite information of just what they will find when they get there, or, debarred by the difficulty of reaching available sporting grounds and the uncertainty of a successful quest, they forego their cherished plans and the gun is left in the rack.

Southern land owners have here an excellent opportunity of supplementing their yearly cash receipts, as English proprietors have long done. Let the proprietor of a game-abounding estate announce such possession in the advertising columns of the FOREST and STREAM, insuring to his gentlemen visitors abundance of game. Then let him forego in these instances the practice of the proverbial and long time-honored Southern hospitality, and charge a certain fee for each gun per day, week, month, or season. Hundreds of gentlemen who read this journal would eagerly embrace such an opportunity; they would willingly pay for the privilege offered. If salmon fishermen are content to travel long distances and lease streams at high prices, surely the devotees of the gun will do no less.

There would be many very pleasant attendant features of such visits of Northern sportsmen to their brothers in the South. Our pages have, time and time again, contained pleasant letters from correspondents who have fared well at the South. All such social interchange is to be encouraged. Its results are happy.

Again, the revenue thus derived from really good game lands would warrant some attention and expense devoted to better protection of the game. The dollar shot gun hunter of colored complexion would doubtless have his enjoyment somewhat marred and his privileges curtailed. But the proprietor who employs efficient game wardens will find ample reason to congratulate himself upon the new order of things.

To set the ball rolling and to afford a precedent, Dr. J. R. Baylor, of Greenwood Depot, Albemarle County, Va., offers to sportsmen such privileges as we have spoken of upon his estate of over 1,600 acres. The land abounds in game, being one of the finest quail grounds in Virginia. Dr. Baylor prefers to lease the shooting privilege for the season, but he will, if desired, lease per diem or otherwise. The details of accommodations, trains, etc., will be arranged by correspondence. For fall shooting Virginia offers very decided attractions. Our readers are familiar with the beauty of the scenery, the hospitality of the people, and the abundance of the game, for all this has been repeatedly written of in our columns.