18 THE BLACK BEAR OF PENNSYLVANIA 



the writer warm, through the coldest nights of Winter, 

 in the Potter County mountains. 



SECTION III 



Xo doubt bears live to be twenty years old, or more, 

 in their wild environment, if not injured or slain by 

 man. It is the older male bears which prey upon 

 cattle, but the females and younger males may learn 

 to kill sheep and hogs, if pressed for food, to sustain 

 existence; but danger from them is remote. When 

 bears have taken to the business of stealing cattle, 

 sheep or hogs, there will be no peace in the neighbor- 

 hood, until freed from the presence of these marlaud- 

 ers. The taste of blood intoxicates the bear and he 

 seems to become an inebriate, while opportunity re- 

 mains to satisfy his desire for the particular food on 

 which he has banqueted at will; but such cases are 

 rare, and they should be slain as soon as may be pos- 

 sible, in every case, regardless of protective law or 

 closed season. Furthermore, a reward should be paid 

 by the Commonwealth to the slayer of an outlaw bear, 

 when his depredations in any farming community 

 serve to identify him. Such bears are dangerous to 

 people. 



During the month of June, bears are very thin and 

 neither their flesh nor fur has any value. They are 

 especially fie'rce at this time, so people should keep 

 aloof from forest coverts where the female bear 

 guards her playful offspring, and the males are seek- 



