Hunting season

When hunters head off to hunting camp in the fall they are reenacting a tradition that started in the 19th century with the opening of the Adirondack wilderness. Modern day hunters are indebted to the Adirondack Guides who played a primary role in settling the Central Adirondacks and assuring that there would be game to hunt and fish to catch.

Even before the founding of the New York State Department of Conservation, the local Brown’s Track Guides’ Association was protecting the wilderness (and their livelihood) and leading efforts to stock fish and game when the need was there.

For example, in 1894 members of the Association assisted and advised Dr. William Seward Webb when he stocked his Nehasne Park with moose and smaller fish and game and protected these and his native deer with a wire fence 10 feet tall surrounding over 15 square miles. Sportsmen came to the preserve by train, only after being issued a permit to hunt by Dr. Webb.

The guides were recognized and respected for their efforts. Sportsmen and Sportswomen came from all over the world to hunt with the assistance of the guides. These Adirondack entrepreneurs had a solid reputation for knowing where to find game and how to conduct a hunt.

In 1902 the Browns’ Track Guides’ Association was offered five wapiti, a European elk, by the City of Binghamton, the idea being that the animals would become the parent stock to establish the species as native game animals of the Adirondacks. While that experiment ultimately ended in failure when the animals were killed by a vengeful person, the guides took the mission very seriously.

The Town of Webb Historical Association has in its collection a 1902 declaration from the Brown’s Track Guides stating:

Whereas: The Brown’s Track Guides’ Association was organized by about 50 of the leading guides of that section for the purpose of protecting the fish, forest and game of the Adirondacks. They were encouraged in this undertaking by all true sportsmen and law abiding citizens who loved the forests and native inhabitants of the woods and water. They were led to this action by practical knowledge of the rapid destruction of fish and game, both in and out of season, and fully realizing that some radical measure must be taken to prevent wanton destruction of this most noble game and sport, they have banded together to prevent as far as lies within their power its rapid and unlawful destruction by irresponsible persons, market and pot hunters.