110 THE OREGON SPORTSMAN 
A BEAR HUNT NEAR DOLPH 
By Setu B. Dopeg, Jr. 
Being an interested reader of the stories in The Oregon Sportsman, 
I would like to contribute the experience of myself and party of 
friends on a bear hunt near Dolph, Oregon, Tillamook County. 
I was informed one day by mail-that a bear had been sighted in 
that neighborhood, and as I when a boy had spent the bigger part of 
my time in that vicinity, knew the different canyons and trails thor- 
oughly, decided to interest a few of my Newberg friends on a chase 
I knew they would greatly enjoy. 
In the party that left Newberg by auto that 10th day of October, 
beside myself, was I. W. Hill, Earl Hutzen, O. O. Smith and Dr. P. F. 
Hawkins, all glad to get away from the dull care of business, yet 
fully realizing that combined with a week of pleasure would be many 
a tiresome footstep and a bed as hard as steel and minus springs. 
We had hardly arrived at our destination till we fully appreciated 
the value of a first-class restaurant man, for it was only a short time 
till Smith had the bacon and eggs cooked in “Hof Brau” style and it 
is needless to say he was unanimously appointed head chef during 
our stay. 
As I had previously made arrangements for pack horses at Dolph, 
after a night’s sleep and an early breakfast all was ready for the start. 
Being dark, the trail rugged and rough, our going was slow and tire- 
some, but soon the sun cast its first rays over the distant hills and we 
made fairly good time. After a tramp of several miles in the location 
I was informed Mr. Bear had been sighted; we pitched camp and 
located. As we were on the bank of a picturesque mountain stream, we 
felt well assured of a most enjoyable time. 
We had not intended to start on a chase till the next morning, but 
decided to do a little scouting near camp, and two of the best dogs it 
has ever been my pleasure to hunt with had little trouble in picking 
up a trail made, from all indications, the day before, and we returned 
to camp highly elated over the prospects for the next day. 
Both taking their 30-30’s that afternoon about 4 o’clock, Hawkins 
and Hill started out on a little trip of their own, and imagine our sur- 
prise when they came stumbling into camp long past 6 o'clock with a 
beautiful five-point ‘buck, the result of a well-placed shot by Hill. Need- 
less to say all hands were happy and little time was lost before we 
had a chance to sample it. 
Next morning, long before dawn, with dogs closely chained, we 
started, and some task it was to hold them, once the trail was scented. 
After we had been out about two miles the dogs were turned loose and 
with a yelp and jump were off. We started in to follow, but as the 
trail led down a very rough canyon it was difficult going and we were 
soon left far in the rear. The undergrowth of brush was so heavy I 
could not see any of my companions, but knew, with the experience 
they had in the hills, they were well able to care for themselves. .- 
Stumbling over logs, sliding down hills into the canyons below, only 
to gaze in awe at the task that lay ahead in climbing to the summit 
of others, the chase of seven long miles soon began to tell and I 
dropped exhausted to the ground. On only one occasion had I been 
able to sight any of my companions, and then only a brief glance of 
Hutzen as he was crossing a fallen tree. 
The yelping of the dogs in the distance, a brief rest and a much 
appreciated tonic urged me on again. It was not long until I heard 
