246 SPORT AND TRAVEL PAPERS 



these bears were first caught in a steel trap and then shot, and 

 that a close examination of the fore legs would show marks of 

 spiked jaws. Bears always use certain well-worn trails through 

 the hrush on the mountain-side and elsewhere, and would be 

 very likely to put their foot into well-placed traps. Traps are 

 against the law, and so are spring guns, a fact which does not 

 by any means stop the use of either. Hunters say that every- 

 thing is fair in dealing with a bear, as he is certain to do you 

 if he can. And then, perhaps, Fraser (the cook) was right 

 when he said, "Well, there are many more killed in hotels 

 and saloons than were ever shot or probably have ever existed." 

 There is no doubt of the wholesome fear prospectors and 

 hunters have of the large bears. The former generally confess 

 that when met they have given them a wide berth the latter 

 are chary about going after a wounded bear except with dogs. 

 Opinions differ as to whether the big bears, wounded or un- 

 wounded, will attack a man. My hunter states that he has 

 never seen a grizzly silver-tip not go for him when wounded, 

 but only knows one instance of a black bear attacking under the 

 same circumstances. Silver-tips attack sometimes if un wounded, 

 and men are known to have saved themselves by climbing a 

 tree, for, of course, these and the big brown bears with their 

 straight claws cannot climb, but they can reach a long way. 

 Their cubs can climb, and do so if danger threatens. About 

 four years ago a big silver-tip killed two prospectors while asleep 

 in their camp. Nothing was found of them there except the 

 hat of one, some blankets and a feather pillow ripped open. 

 The men had been carried away, partly eaten, and the remainder 

 buried, as bears, like dogs, will do with any surplus food. A 

 friend who visited the place shortly after the tragedy was at 

 once chased by the bears, but escaped up a tree with the loss, 

 however, of half a boot and one toe. The bear stood sentry 

 over him for six hours, went away, came back, but eventually 

 gave it up and allowed the man to return to camp. His com- 

 rades now set a steel trap, into which the bear put his foot ; 

 the latter was found between the jaws but not its late owner. 

 The bear's spoor, easily recognised by the stump, has several 

 times been seen. Anderson, about four years ago, shot four 

 goats near the top of a mountain on successive days, leaving 

 each to be brought down the next day. In every instance was 



