270 THROUGH CANADA 



live in undisturbed repose. He chooses a place if 

 possible close to acorn and chestnut trees, and within 

 spring of an unwary elk that wanders down to feed 

 on the roots that protrude through the fissures. The 

 only enemy he fears is man, whose powerful rifle he 

 seems instinctively to know and shun. From him, 

 he plunges into the ravine, seeks the cover of the 

 brushwood, or scurries over the steeps dodging 

 behind rocks and sheltering ledges, which shield 

 his broad side from the deadly bullet. In a cul 

 de sac he takes the aggressive, and unless his 

 assailant is well armed, of quick eye, and steady 

 nerve, he stands a poor chance against so formidable 

 an antagonist. 



When shot at or slightly wounded the bear has 

 a trick of rolling down the steep, heels over head, 

 like a ball. The pace is so quick, that it is discon- 

 certing to marksmanship. At the most convenient 

 moment he surprises the sportsman by taking to his 

 feet again and speedily escaping. A wounded 

 grizzly is extremely dangerous. With a broken limb 

 or otherwise disabled, he will make an unexpected 

 lunge, and inflict terrible if not fatal injuries. 



Trapping is another method of outwitting Ursus 

 horribilis. Powerful spring traps chained to a log 

 encompass his destruction. The weight is sufl!iciently 

 heavy to handicap his movements, and the trail it 

 leaves enables the hunter to trace him. If he has 

 sufficient time, he is capable of gnawing the wood 



