Bear Hunting on Kadiak Island 



Kadiak bear begins, the period lasting generally 

 from the middle of April until July. 



In Eagle Harbor, on Kadiak Island, a native, 

 three years ago, during the month of January, saw 

 a female bear which he killed near her den. He 

 then went into the cave and found two very small 

 cubs whose eyes were not yet open. This would 

 lead to the belief that this species of bear brings 

 forth its young about the beginning of the new 

 year. At birth the cubs are very small, weighing 

 but little more than a pound and a half, and there 

 are from one to four in a litter. Two, however, 

 is the usual number. The mother, although in a 

 state of semi-torpor, suckles these cubs in the den, 

 and they remain with her all that year, hole up 

 with her the following winter, and continue to fol- 

 low her until the second fall, when they leave her 

 and shift for themselves. 



For many years these bears have been so persist- 

 ently hunted by the natives, who are constantly 

 patrolling the shores in their skin canoes, that 

 their knowledge of man and their senses of smell 

 and hearing are developed to an extreme degree. 

 They have, however, like most bears, but indiffer- 

 ent sight. They range in color from a light tawny 

 lion to a very dark brown; in fact, I have seen 

 some bears that were almost black. Many people 



109 



