198 FAMILIAR LIFE IN FIELD AND FOREST. 



young un, you're a very small potato ; /'wi the boss 

 that claims pre emption rights to these pastures.' 

 Another reason for thinking it is a he-b'ar is that the 

 shes have young about the third week in January, 

 and it's about that time. We hunt them in February 

 by examining the cypress trees, where they have left 

 their marks climbing to their dens." 



The black bear is a good climber, but he is too 

 heavy to ascend into the tree tops. Often when 

 hunted by dogs he takes to the tree, and then it is all 

 up with him. A pack of dogs trained to hunt bears 

 in the South is comprised of the most "or'nary- 

 looking" curs, with pedigrees of confessedly vile 

 mongrel strains. A few rough-haired terriers, active 

 and plucky, to fight in front, some medium-sized 

 dogs to fight on all sides, and a few large active curs 

 to pinch bruin's hind quarters are all that are re- 

 quired to make a well-trained pack, which will only 

 seize hold in a body when one of its number is 

 caught ; then it boldly charges to the rescue of the 

 comrade, and, as soon as he is freed, it lets go and 

 runs. Finally, gathering around the bear again, the 

 dogs worry him until he climbs a tree. 



If bruin is captured when he is very young he 

 becomes quite tame, provided he is carefully and sys- 

 tematically trained ; but it is wisest to keep a sharp 

 and vigilant eye on him, as he is not altogether trust- 



