WELLER MOUNTAIN FISH AND GAME PRESERVE, INC. RULES OF CONDUCT AND
Effective as Revised June 30, 2021
The following are the rules of conduct for the club. They have been amended, effective
this date, by the board of directors, and are subject to further amendment, from time to
time, by resolution adoption of a simple majority of the total board of directors, who shall
instruct the secretary to duly notify the entire membership of such amendments.
Violation of these rules of conduct by any member, or guest thereof shall be deemed
sufficient cause for tribunal action by the board of directors against the respective
member.
I. GENERAL
1. A copy of the lease is maintained by the Caretaker at the main lodge for members’
convenience and information. All obligations imposed upon the lease relating to conduct upon
the premises shall apply to all members, guests, visitors, and employees. Members shall be
fully responsible for the conduct of their guests and visitors. A guest is a person accompanying
the respective member on the premises for the purpose of fishing or hunting. Each hunting and
fishing guest must have a valid guest permit in his possession. A person accompanying a
member for any other purpose is a visitor.
All legal age participants in hunting and fishing are welcome to avail themselves of the hunting
and fishing opportunities at the Weller Mountain Fish & Game Preserve, provided that they are
licensed by New York State. All participants must abide by any restrictions adopted by the
Board of Directors such as bag limits, buck and doe specification and antler/point minimal limits
and be covered by the guest provisions of the sponsoring member.
2. Absolutely no littering on the premises. All bottles, cans, cartons, papers, etc. shall be
disposed of properly. Members shall be responsible for the proper disposal of refuse accrued by
that member and his guests on the premises. Proper disposal shall mean removal from the
premises. Members are warned that littering will not be tolerated, and that the entire premises
shall be maintained in good sanitary condition. No garbage disposal permitted anywhere on
premises.No burning of garbage in fire pits.
3. No hunting in the vicinity of logging operations. No snowmobiling on plowed logging roads
being used to remove forest products. Vehicle traffic shall not interfere with timber operations
and shall give way to logging vehicles when meeting on the roads.
4. No one shall interfere with or meddle with the Lessor’s property or equipment.
5. Care shall be exercised in the use of all motorized vehicles to protect Lessor’s timber and
young trees. The cutting of live timber is prohibited.
6. No open fires may be started for any purpose. Fire pits, rings and fireplaces at campsites are
not considered “open fires”. When smoking, extreme caution must be used to prevent any fires.
In the event any fire is started, the club must reimburse Lessor for damages and our lease will
be subject to cancellation.
7. All Members motorized vehicles must have a Weller trail pass and shall be confined to the
existing passable roads and board approved trails. All guests must follow these rules and it is
the responsibility of the member . The speed limit for all vehicles is 15mph
8. A daily register book will be located at the main lodge. All members shall register themselves
and guests by name when entering the property and shall sign out when leaving. If fish or
animals have been taken, each member shall accurately record the number of fish or animals
regardless of how taken. Deer harvested must be recorded on the tote board located in the
Main Lodge as soon as possible and before member and or guest leave the Club; no
exceptions. When recording deer kill, the person’s name on the register and deer carcass tag
must be one and the same. Registering by name of visitors will not be accepted. (Rev.
9/6/2016)
9. Any camper or tent brought on the premises shall be located in an orderly manner in areas
provided for such camping. Same procedures will be followed as if an outlying camp.
10. Any rules violation or unsportsmanlike conduct on the club shall be reported to the
Disciplinary Committee or any member of the Board of Directors as soon as possible, giving
pertinent information such as date, time, place, witnesses, etc. The Disciplinary Committee has
the authority to investigate complaints and make recommendations to the Board. After due
process, disciplinary measures up to and including suspension or termination may be levied.
The member charged will be notified by mail and allowed to respond. A member may appeal a
disciplinary ruling by applying for a hearing before the Board of Directors.
II. MEMBERSHIP
1. Applications for membership in the club must be made on forms supplied by the Secretary. At
time of application, a $100 deposit made payable to the club, must be presented. The deposit
will be credited towards the first year’s dues if he or she is admitted to the club. Said deposit will
be refunded to the applicant only if his or her application is rejected by the Board of Directors.
2. A waiting list has been established for membership. As openings become available, they will
be filled from the top of the waiting list subject to approval by the Board. However, any member
may transfer his membership to a non-member of his choice subject to Board approval. If any
prospective member declines membership when offered, he may move to the end of the waiting
list so long as he provides proper re-application with two (2) sponsors, together with payment in
the amount of 1/2 the standard new application fee. The immediate family of a member wishing
membership will be accepted to the waiting list as follows:
Family members will be moved to the second(2) position on the list and then every other
member starting at 2 (2,4,6 etc )
Any applicant or re applicant must be sponsored by two members in good standing with 2 years
of current membership members in good standing to the Board of Directors.
3. Each member may purchase an annual guest card for hunting and fishing up to the limit
established by the bylaws. A guest card shall entitle the guest of a member to the same legal
hunting and fishing privileges as the member, except for 3 trout from ponds per guest per day.
No member shall use a guest 3 card for his own use in procuring more than his legal limit of fish
or game. Any guest or visitor must be accompanied by a member while on the Weller Mountain
property, notwithstanding the responsibility of the member as to the conduct of his guest or
visitor. Guests may not attend the annual membership meeting.
4. Guest cards may be purchased by any member, one (1) per year first come, first serve up
until October 1st . If the quota established by the bylaws has not been reached by that date, a
member may purchase any number of additional guest cards.
5. Prorated dues and guest passes as a percentage of total dues or guest pass are established
as follows: October 100%, November 100%, December 100%, January 70%, February 62%,
March 53%, April 46%, May 38%, June 31%, July 23%, August 15%, September 15%. These
rates are available only to new members.
6. A member may take no more than 2 visitors on the premises during black powder and rifle
deer hunting seasons. Such visitors shall not have hunting or fishing privileges unless the
member holds an appropriate number of guest passes.
7. The immediate family of a member shall have the privileges of fishing and outing at anytime
except during big game hunting seasons. Immediate family shall be defined as husband, wife,
daughters, sons, or grandchildren under 18 years of age. In no case shall the entire family take
more than the limit allowed to the member him/herself.
8. No family hunting privileges at any time except during black powder and rifle season.
Properly licensed children and grandchildren of members under the age of 18 are allowed to
hunt under the member’s hunting privileges. The child must be accompanied by the parent or
grandparent. Any game taken by the child or grandchild counts against the member’s quota.
Children and grandchildren bet- ween the ages of 18 and 21 attending college or in the military
service hold the same privileges.
9. Any member in good standing for at least 20 years and having reached the age of 70 years is
eligible to receive honorary membership (fiscal year 10/1 – 9/30) the year after completing 20
years of membership and obtaining age 70, membership is discounted to $250.00/year. Guest
cards are discounted to $125.00 limited to one discount card per honorary member.
Any member in good standing reaching the age of 80 and having had 20 years in the club is
eligible to receive “Lifetime Honorary Membership” and will pay no dues. All other membership
options (guest pass, ect,) will be offered at the Honorary Member price. (effective 2021-22)
10. Any member not renewing their membership, and is found to be in arrears with any money
owed to the club, or to have their membership terminated by the Board of Directors, will not be
allowed back on Club property as a guest ever.
III. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
A. GENERAL
1. The Board of Directors are responsible for establishing deer management and fish stocking
programs each year.
2. The rules and regulations of the DEC shall govern all hunting, fishing, and trapping unless
more restrictive regulations are adopted by the Board of Directors.
3. Conservation employees will be issued special permits to the premises and main gate keys at
discretion of the Board of Directors.
4. Members will be allowed to take one (1) deer and 100 fish per year. Guests, under the guest
permit system, will be allowed to take one (1) deer and 50 fish per year in aggregate under each
permit. Except as stated here and in the Operating Procedures, legal fish and game limits shall
prevail. (Observe latest Deer Hunting Procedures adopted by Board of Directors).
B. HUNTING
No hunting within 1/4 mile of Main Lodge in any direction or on the air strip. Restricted areas are
posted on main road each side of the main lodge. Observe latest Deer Hunting Procedures
adopted by Board of Directors. (2021)
C. FISHING
1. All fish stocking approved by the board of directors for designated times and locations
A) All ponds stocked in the spring
B) St. Regis River from Main Bridge to Bailey’s Bridge
C) Long Pond Outlet from Slaughterhouse Bridge to confluence with St. Regis River. Fish to be
stocked on or about the first Thursday of May each year and may be stocked in the fall of a
particular year, upon authorization of the Board of Directors.
2. Limit of fish from ponds if five (5) per day per member and three (3) per day per guest, any
legal size, for each pond. State legal limit from streams is permitted. Aggregate catch from all
sources shall not exceed state legal limit. Since catch and release in ponds is encouraged, use
of barbless hooks is recommended.
3. Possession of or use of live bait other than earthworms, night crawlers and natural native
insects is prohibited on all Club waters with the exception that minnows and crustaceans
trapped from the same waters being fished may be used as bait. This rule is critical to the
healthy management of our ponds and streams by preserving their integrity and preventing the
importation of disease and contamination.
4. The use of outboard motors on all lakes and streams is prohibited unless authorized by the
Board of Directors. Electric motors are permissible.
IV. MAINTENANCE
1. Motorized vehicles must be operated at reasonable speeds and in a prudent manner
throughout the Club. Maximum motor vehicle speed limit shall be 15 MPH. Members, guests
and visitors must exercise caution so that all others may enjoy Weller Mountain safely. Special
care and caution shall be used in deer wintering and feeding areas. 1st Offense a written
warning 2nd Offense loss off ATV privileges and/or possible termination. (2021)
2. Members shall avoid damaging roads. The Board of Directors may authorize the closing of
any road at times when vehicle traffic would cause such damage to roads or harassment to
deer.
3. All members, guests, employees or agents, when working on the premises, shall wear or use
appropriate equipment to prevent accidents. All members, their guests and visitors shall use
every reasonable precaution to prevent accidents while on club property.
4. Members may take cull timber for firewood upon first obtaining Board of Directors and Lessor
approval. Member to obtain hold harmless insurance and present certificate to caretaker prior to
cutting operation. No cut firewood shall be taken from the camp. (2021)
5. No painting or marking of trails by members or guests permitted unless authorized by the
Board of Directors.
6. All gates to be locked immediately after ingress and egress at all times.
7. Members may bring dogs on premises. Dogs must be on leash or under voice control at all
times. In the lodge all dogs must be restrained at all times either by a leash or pouch. Members
are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs. (2021)
V. CLUB MANAGEMENT
1. The club will maintain fire insurance on the buildings, general liability and property damage
insurance (including automobile), in the amounts required by our lease or as otherwise
established by the Board of Directors. Workmen’s Compensation insurance will be maintained in
statutory amount. Any motorized vehicle brought onto club premises must be properly insured
by its respective owner.
2. President will appoint heads for the following committees: including but not limited to
Recreation, Deer Management, and Fish Stocking. Committee heads to select workers. Roads,
Grounds and Camps are the responsibility of the Caretaker who answers directly to the
President.
3. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, authorize the closing of the main lodge to the
use of the general membership. Notification, with reason, will be given to the membership via
minutes of meeting when such closing was authorized. Whenever the main lodge is to be used
exclusively by one or several members, the Board will establish and collect a fee from the
member whose name in which the reservation is made.
4. The Board of Directors, from time to time, may establish one or more work days for specific
club projects. Members will be notified of the date, time and purpose by the Secretary. Members
are encouraged to participate.
5. The Board of Directors has the option of replacing any board member who missed two
consecutive meetings with a member of their choice.
6. Secretary-Treasurer to attend all meetings and maintain minutes thereof. He/She will handle
all correspondence of the Club. He/She will receive all money and distribute all membership and
guest cards. He/She will maintain a record of receipts.
7. Any bill, before being submitted to the Treasurer for payment, Treasurer to receive all funds,
make proper disbursements, and maintain all club financial accounts. Treasurer shall endeavor
to optimize the use of interest bearing accounts, depending upon periodic club outlay
requirements, for normal transactions and investment of temporary surplus funds.
8. Club financial records maintained by the Treasurer to be reviewed by a committee appointed
by the President each year prior to the annual membership meeting.
9. The Board shall approve of a second signatory on all checking accounts so in the event of the
Secretary-Treasurer’s inability to sign checks directors will have access to funds.
CARETAKER DUTIES
The Caretaker appointed by the Board of Directors will:
1. Maintain the main lodge, caretaker’s house and outlying camps in presentable and usable
condition. He will inspect each building no less than once per week when they are accessible,
and shall make repairs as necessary to keep the buildings and the interior furnishings usable.
He will report all cases of damage to the Board of Directors, and if caused by members using
the facilities, he will report the name of the respective member to the Board of Directors.
2. Maintain all roads not having active timber operations in usable condition. Such maintenance
will include filling holes and ruts, removing rocks and fallen trees, raking the surface, and
repairing culverts.
3. Patrol Club premises as necessary to discourage trespassing. He will obtain names of
trespassers and report them to the Board of Directors.
4. Attend regularly scheduled and special Board of Directors meetings if requested by the Board
Chair- man. At the meeting, he will be prepared to inform those present of operations and
events which may have taken place since the last meeting.
5. Maintain an inventory of equipment and materials used on and by the Club. He will inform the
Board of Directors of stock or other materials that need to be ordered, or of equipment repairs
that need to be made, and upon direction of the Board of Directors, see that such materials are
obtained and equipment repairs are made.
6. Change the locks on the main gate when the main road is snow bound and when it is subject
to wheeled traffic damage in the early spring. This period may run from January 1 through April
20 each year.
7. Be provided with a licensed pickup truck for all club on and off premises uses, except when
road conditions on club premises would not permit such use due to vehicle damage potential.
Caretaker is responsible for proper use of any club vehicle pursuant to road conditions. He shall
not use any club vehicle for personal purposes.
8. Be allowed to have visitors, with him on duties assigned to him by the Board.
9. Be compensated for his services to the Club at the salary established by the Board of
Directors.
10. Pay the standard rate for gasoline obtained from Club tanks used for personal reasons.
11. Have the gasoline and fuel oil tanks, as well as LP tanks used for personal reasons.
12. Fully enforce all lease stipulations, safety regulations, club policies, and rules of conduct for
people on Club premises.
13. Maintain facilities at the main lodge, including power supply, water and sewage facilities.
Water service to be provided as soon as frost is gone, generally from middle of May until end of
hunting season. Refrigerator at the main lodge will be activated by the middle of May and will be
kept supplied with water and soda until the end of hunting season.
14. Operate deer management program and provide maintenance of food plots pursuant to
directives of the Board of Directors.
15. Maintain a $100 petty cash fund for small purchases for which receipts shall be obtained
and presented to the Treasurer not less often than monthly.
16. Be responsible for procuring and supplying food, beverages and other supplies for the main
lodge as directed by the Board.
17. Be on club premises each day during rifle deer season. If equipment or supplies are
needed, he may leave the club to procure them, properly scheduling his off premises trips to
times when his presence is least required during the season.
18. Provide emergency assistance to members while they are on club premises.
19. Keep the President informed of his on-club activities and provide the President with timely
notice of vacation and days off. He is entitled to two (2) weeks paid vacation and is expected to
work not less than five (5) days per week on a schedule approved by the Board of Directors,
except during rifle deer season.
20. After a satisfactory employment period of six (6) months, be granted hunting and fishing
privileges the same as any club member. Use of these privileges shall be at times not interfering
with his work. He will not be granted guest privileges.
21. Be responsible for advising the President when he feels work parties should be used,
particularly for line posting and major improvement programs.
22. Receive and accurately log, on a daily basis, receipts for food, beverages, and other sales,
together with cash expenditures made. He will provide the Treasurer with receipt and
expenditure accounting on a weekly basis during rifle deer season and not less often than
monthly during the remainder of the year.
MAIN LODGE
1. Except as may be stipulated under caretaker’s duties, the following generally apply to the
main lodge:
2. Generator to operate only for deer season and such other periods authorized by the Board of
Directors.
3. Gasoline price is established by the Board of Directors. Members requested to use only in
emergency.
4. Prices for beverages in the Main Lodge to be established and posted by the Board of
Directors.
5. Lodge kitchen open to members except for special occasions, rifle deer season and preregistered reservations. Members to completely clean up after use.
6. Diesel generator is Club property. All other fixtures and buildings belong to Lessor and will be
maintained in first class shape and operating order.
7. No smoking at any time in the main lodge, bunkhouse, dining area, or caretakers basement.
8. Current copies of Lease, by-laws, Rules of Conduct, Operating Procedures, Membership List
and Waiting List to be maintained by the Caretaker in Main Lodge for members use only.
9. During rifle deer season, meals will be served at charges and such times set and posted by
the Board of Directors. Members and guests to sign in at Main Lodge for meal reservations so
that the Cook knows how many to plan for at each meal.
10. A member can reserve a particular bed in the Main Lodge or Caretaker’s basement for the
whole hunting season for a fee of $125. The member can leave personal items on the bed for
the hunting season. Guests cannot reserve beds. Fee can be paid with dues but paid by
October 1st.
11. Club President and Vice President shall be granted a bunk in the Main Lodge for their year
of service at no cost.
11 No loaded rifles or shotguns allowed in the main lodge.
Operating Procedures-Outlying Camps & Campgrounds
Effective as revised June 30, 2022
The following apply to outlying camps, main lodge, caretaker & campground:
1. A $10 per day fee will be charged for M
embers and Guests for lodging at the Main Lodge, Caretakers Basement and outlying camps throughout the year. There will be a two person minimum per night ($20/ night) for the following camps- Cooperage, Weller, Saunders and Arquette. There will be no charge for Children under 16. There will be a $300 per day fee for exclusive use of the lodge pre-approved by the Board.
2. Main Lodge, Caretakers Basement and outlying camps reservations commitments shall be done first through seasonal lottery system and then through on-line reservation system on a first come bases. (See the attached procedures on Lottery and On-line reservations).
3. When making reservations for a particular night, sign up for the day in which the evening of that night occurs. Camps must be vacated by 1:00pm of the day following the last day signed up for.
4. A member must pay in advance a deposit of $10 per night times the
number of nights to reserve a cabin and the member is responsible for all
additional charges, if applicable, after occupying the cabin
- a. Reservations cancelled at any time must be so cancelled with
advanced notifications to the caretaker or (7) days in advance of the
first day of occupancy or the daily minimum fee will be charged
against the reserving member.
5. A member may only sign out ONE outlying camp per night and must accompany all guests.
6. No dumping allowed at the outlying camps.
7. Members shall leave the outlying camps in broom clean condition after use. Turn off LP gas, make sure no open fires or cigarettes are burning, and tidy camp up for next user. Do not leave any food. Leave cleaned dishes, mantles, matches, tools and utensils at the camp where they were found.
8. Members are requested to report any deficiencies or defects in outlying camps to the caretaker.
9. The fee for camping sites is $10 per day per site with a two- week maximum. Stay can be extended if there are no other request for the site. A map at the main lodge shows the designated and approved camp sites. There is a sign up book located at the sign in desk to make reservation and check availability for each site.
10.A member can reserve a particular bed in the Main Lodge or Caretaker’s Basement for the whole hunting season for a fee of $125. The member can leave personal items on the bed for the hunting season. Personal items to be removed by December 31st. Guests cannot reserve beds for the entire hunting season. Fee’s can be paid with dues but paid by October 1st.