. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. Most clubhouses were rustic cabins that provided simple shelter for the gunners. The draw of each club lay in its claim to private hunting grounds. Private ownership in an area already considered "remote" promoted Currituck's unique self-identity. Isolated locals lived off the abundant natural resources — fishing, farming and hunting for a living. "Hunting gave locals a much-needed income stream at a time when farming or fishing was at an end," says Nickens. Many of the local men were m
. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. Most clubhouses were rustic cabins that provided simple shelter for the gunners. The draw of each club lay in its claim to private hunting grounds. Private ownership in an area already considered "remote" promoted Currituck's unique self-identity. Isolated locals lived off the abundant natural resources — fishing, farming and hunting for a living. "Hunting gave locals a much-needed income stream at a time when farming or fishing was at an end," says Nickens. Many of the local men were market hunters — selling their quarry to fowl dealers, who then shipped the birds by the barrel to northern game markets. Historical records show that from 1903 to 1909,400 men in the Currituck area made a combined $100,000 annually by market hunting, with canvasback ducks commanding the highest price at $5 per pair. When market hunting was banned in 1918 the private hunt clubs fueled the local economy. Men became caretakers and guides, women worked as cooks and maids. Boat builders and decoy carvers found steady demand for their crafts. LEGENDARY LODGES Knight was a long-time member of a Currituck gun club until he married Marie LeBel, his second wife, in After pulling on layers of heavy wovtews, the men coiled skoirguns and hot coffee from, the gunroom before boarding small boats Uden with decoys, dogs and guides. The guides imaneuver the skiffs to the dub's private hunting blinds, then arrange hundreds of decoys in the open water. LeBel was not the "typical" aristocratic lady of the day. She preferred wearing riding habits to corsets and skirts, and enjoyed hunting with her husband. Knight's club, like the others, did not admit women as members. The couple decided to purchase 2,000 acres of land to build a club they could both enjoy. From 1925 to 1934, the Knights spent every hunting season at their island home. Records show that 751 birds were kille
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookcollectionunclibra, booksubjectoceanography
