Hunting A mericau Big Gut ne 



of course, occasionally see a very large 

 skin ; and from its size it would seem im- 

 possible that the animal that once rilled 

 it out, if in good condition, could have 

 weighed less than twelve hundred pounds. 

 But I think it may be safely set down that 

 the average weight of most specimens 

 that one will get in the mountains will 

 be under, rather than over, five hundred 

 pounds. 



To me, bear-hunting possesses a great 

 fascination, and for years I have hunted 

 nothing else. Personally I prefer to go 

 after them in the spring. Their skins are 

 then in their prime, the hair long and soft, 

 and their claws (if valued as they should 

 be) are long and sharp from disuse. Bears 

 seek their winter quarters in Bad Lands 

 and in the mountains. Those that adopt 

 the former come out much earlier ; con- 

 sequently, if the hunter is on the ground 

 soon enough, he may, by beginning in the 

 lower lands first, and working toward the 

 mountains, be reasonably sure of securing 

 good skins as late as June. In the spring, 

 too, bears are much more in the open, and 

 travel incessantly in search of food. 



It is highly interesting to watch them, 

 when one has the chance, turning over 

 stones, tearing open fallen trees, or rooting 



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