XIY 

 BIG GAME SHOOTING 



IF you want first class bear-shooting to-day, you 

 must go to British Columbia and Alaska. When 

 we came to Southern California, two big grizzlies 

 had just been shot not far from our cattle ranch ; 

 but we never had the luck to find one in our 

 county, although we hunted diligently. One night, 

 I remember, a huge fellow, judging by his tracks, 

 passed within a few feet of where my brother and 

 I were sleeping ; but a grizzly travels fast and far, 

 and owing to the thick brush we were unable to 

 trail him next day. Dogs — small terriers — are 

 almost indispensable, and these must be trained to 

 their work. An old fellow in our county, where 

 grizzlies were once extraordinarily plentiful, has 

 told me many yarns, and, according to him, Ursus 

 Horrihilis is as easily killed as a big hog, if you can 

 plant your first bullet in a vital spot. This man 

 — he is still alive — used to shoot bear and deer 

 for a living, and he shot more grizzlies than the 

 famous Adams (whose book is still the delight of 

 Californian boys.) More, he has the credit of a 

 George Washington for unimpeachable veracity. 

 According to this high authority, young grizzly 

 bears often climb trees ; but when they grow old 

 and unwieldy they prefer the solid earth. Not far 

 from our ranch house was a huge live-oak which 



