Forest and Stream, November 18, 1875

Untitled

Transportation -- Railroad - ConstructionTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Hunting : Waterfowl and shorebird

-- Especially at this time, at the beginning of the duck shooting season and the approach of the holidays, come frequent inquiries where to go for wild fowl, with a reasonable prospect of a full bag. We endeavor to so direct our friends that they may not come back to heap anathemas on our heads for wasted time and misspent money, but the fact is, that from Currituck to Montauk, all available points are leased, pre-empted, or held in possession by gentlemen sportsmen or market shooters, who claim exclusive privilege within the limits of specified areas. To be sure of unqualified sport, one who is not a member of some club must possess the open sesame to the shooting box of some generous friend, or the good will of those who make duck shooting a livelihood. There are numerous places on the Sounds of North Carolina where one may shoot ad libitum, but there are no convenient means of access thereto, and no lodging accommodations. So also on the Chesapeake, along the New Jersey coast, and on the shores of Long Island there are localities where one may shoot without his right to do so being disputed; nevertheless, it may be considered reasonably certain that no eligible stand is without its claimant, either by title, absolute possession, or the right which might gives. In this dilemma, it is a satisfaction to know that within the past month a new district has been opened up to the duck shooter, most easy of access by rail, where wild fowl congregate in untold numbers, scarcely disturbed by the few gunners that occasionally drop in among them. This district is comprised within the two counties of Virginia known as Accomac and Northampton, dividing the waters of the Atlantic from those of Chesapeake Bay, the outer shores of which are flanked by innumerable islands and islets, among which the ducks gather unmolested. The southernmost point is known as the "Capes." Here are the famous islands of Chincoteague, Mockhorn, and Hog Island, besides scores of others scarcely known by name, even to the few dwellers on the adjacent coast. These are reached from Lewes, Delaware, by a railroad running down nearly the entire length of the peninsula, and to Lewes one may go by all rail from New York, or by the Old Dominion Company's steamers, leaving here at 4 P. M. and reaching Lewes next morning. Where one has a big bag of decoys and other impedimenta to carry the latter is preferable. Any information respecting this shooting ground will doubtless be furnished cheerfully at the company's office in Greenwich street.