TRACKS AND TRACKING 



which the nails stand away from the toe imprints 

 is the only means of distinguishing the grizzly's 

 track from that of the black bear, except that 

 size dispels any doubt. The nails of the grizzly 

 stand out almost straight, while those of the black 

 bear are more curvate, and their imprints must 

 consequently be found closer to the track of the 

 foot. 



The likeness of the bear track to that of the 

 human foot has been referred to by many writers. 

 In reality no likeness exists, and the inexperi- 

 enced trailer in the woods 'has the already disad- 

 vantageous conditions under which he is working 

 multiplied so long as he is not disillusioned. 



If a bear who knows nothing of the hunter is 

 shot at and suddenly whirls around, i. ., jumps 

 when the trigger is pulled, he is hit, no matter 

 whether there is another sign or not, and the 

 color of the blood will indicate to the hunter where 

 he is struck. A shot through the lungs with the 

 modern high-power rifle will sometimes not prove 

 fatal within ten or twelve hours. 



A missed bear is never in a hurry to get away, 

 unless he has seen or scented the hunter previous 



90 



