262 BIG GAME OF NORTH AMERICA. 



than all the still-hunting ever done by Indian or white 

 man ! 



Unless the young hunter possesses great nerve, I would 

 caution him against shooting a Bear in the head. Oftener 

 than otherwise the animal is missed, or only stunned, and 

 the hunter may lose his life, or be fearfully maimed. Let 

 him shoot behind the shoulder, about two inches to the 

 rear, and near the center of the body. He must be cautious 

 in approaching the game. It is best to shoot the Bear in the 

 head as it lies on the ground, lest it may rise and kill him. 



His chief object should be to make shots that shall pro- 

 duce instant death, or such prostration of the vital organs 

 that it can not injure either himself or his dogs. He should 

 ever have in view the safety of both himself and pack. 



Dogs are more apt to be killed by wounded than 

 unwounded Bears. Hence, old Bear-hunters are always 

 fearful of letting a novice get the first shot at a Bear at 

 bay. 



With the exception of killing a Bear at bay, the next 

 most interesting and exciting hunt is in the stalking and 

 shooting one at its "steppings." When a hunter has 

 found one of those places, with proper caution he can inva- 

 riably get a shot; whether he is successful depends on his 

 nerve and on his being a sure shot. 



It is an interesting sight to see a Bear "stepping." 

 None but very fat Bears make them. A week or two before 

 going into winter quarters, the Bear selects some marshy 

 ground, or a slough, along the side of which it can make a 

 promenade night and morning before bedding. The place 

 must be soft enough to permit his feet to sink at least a foot 

 or more in the mud; and his steps are the same distance 

 both going and returning, just as regular as the steps of a 

 veteran sentinel. After the Bear has selected the place, 

 and stepped for some fifty to seventy -five yards, he turns 

 and retraces the same steps until satisfied. 



The time is either in the morning, about daylight, or 

 just before sunset. I have found them oftener making their 

 promenade in the morning than in the evening. They seem 



