Administrative/Biographical History
The Princeton Game and Fish Club first met on October 3, 1887 to encourage and promote the sports of hunting and fishing and to aid in the enforcement of the game and fish laws of the state of Illinois. The 43 charter members elected Gilbert V. Thomas, president, Isaac R. Stewart, Vice President, Howard H. Priestly, secretary, and Jacob Chritzman, treasurer. On June 2, 1892, the club incorporated and limited its membership to 50 and by the mid-1900̓s the Princeton Game and Fish Club owned and leased hundreds of acres of land in Bureau and Putnam Counties.
Over the years, the club supported and opposed conservation laws proposed by the state of Illinois. In 1946, the Federal Dike project raised objections and club members contacted all the area farmers to join in their protest. Prior to that time shooting prohibition during the spring season caused friction. The group also changed internally. At first, the club banned hunting on Saturday and Sunday; on March 4, 1895 they suspended the Saturday ban. In 1902 guest hunter rules changed--guest hunters could be women. Many of the old rules are still apparent today, 50 members only, for instance, but the Princeton Game and Fish Club strives to continue their work to preserve wildlife and encourage outdoor recreation.
