276 WAY OF RINGING A BEAR. 



have done much execution ; but from natural obstacles, 

 and the want of an efficient staff, our success was incon- 

 siderable for though we killed some wild beasts, they 

 were much fewer in number than we had every right to 

 anticipate. 



At one of the Skalls a she-bear, together with two large 

 cubs, broke through the Cordon, and made their escape. 

 As, however, there was then a sprinkling of snow on the 

 ground, it being the month of November, we were fortunately 

 enabled to ring* the beasts ; but as on the succeeding day it 

 rained heavily, and the snow nearly disappeared, we could not 

 consequently tell with certainty whether they were within the 

 circle or not. 



Under these circumstances it would not have been expe- 

 dient to call out the people for another Government Skall ; 



* The act of ascertaining where a bear has taken up his quarters in the 

 winter time. This, to quote my own words, is performed in the following 

 manner : When there is snow upon the ground, and the track of the animal 

 (resembling, in more respects than one, that of a human being) is discovered, 

 a person follows it until there is reason to believe that the bear may have 

 taken up his abode in the vicinity. This is indicated by his proceeding very 

 slowly, and in a crooked direction, or rather by his doubling in the same 

 manner as a hare ; for as long as he goes in a straight line he has no intention 

 of lying down. The man now leaves the track, and commences making an 

 extended circle round the suspected part of the forest. Should he succeed in 

 completing this without again meeting with the track, he of course knows to a 

 certainty the bear is within it. But if, on the contrary, he finds the animal 

 has proceeded beyond his intended circle, he commences another ; and thus he 

 continues until he succeeds in accomplishing his object. The size of a Ring 

 depends altogether upon circumstances the season of the year, the state of 

 the snow, the locality, &c. ; and in consequence, though some may not 

 exceed" a mile or two in circumference, others again are six or eight, or 

 even more. To ring a bear properly requires great experience ; and during 

 the operation, if so it may be termed, the greatest silence and caution are 

 necessary. 



