Bear Hunting on Kadiak Island 



mind the delay, for we had come early and did not 

 expect the bears would leave their dens before 

 April. 



I decided to take with me on my hunt the same 

 two natives whom I had had the year before. My 

 head man's name was Fedor Deerinhoff. He was 

 about forty years of age, and had been a noted sea 

 otter and bear hunter. In size he was rather larger 

 than the average of his race, and absolutely fear- 

 less. Many stories are told of his hand-to-hand 

 encounters with these big bears. I think the best 

 one is of a time when he crawled into a den on his 

 hands and knees, and in the dark, and at close 

 quarters, shot three. He was unable to see, and 

 the bears' heavy breathing was his only guide in 

 taking aim. 



Nikolai Pycoon, my other native, was younger 

 and shorter in stature, and had also a great repu- 

 tation as a hunte^ which later I found was fully 

 justified, and furthermore was considered the best 

 baidarka man of Afognak. He was a nice little 

 fellow, always good natured, always keen, always 

 willing, and the only native whom I have ever met 

 with a true sense of gratitude. 



The year before I had made all arrangements to 

 hire for this season a small schooner, which was to 

 take us to our various shooting grounds. I was 



in 



