280 
AN EARLY RUN AFTER LIONS. 
Editor RECREATION: The morning was 
bright and clear giving promise of a fine 
day. Snow lay on the ground about 8 
inches deep, with thermometer 4 degrees 
below zero. Mr. John Goff, one of the most 
successful guides and lion huntérs in this 
part of the country, had come up to the 
ranch the evening before from Meeker, on 
his way over to De Beque to attend the big 
lion and wolf hunt. Being an old acquaint- 
ance and friend of our host, Wilson, he 
kindly consented to spend the day here and 
give us a “run with his dogs.” 
The pack, 6 in number, were in fine form 
and eager for the sport. Mounting our 
horses we started up East Flag creek, watch- 
ing for tracks as we rode along. We struck 
the track of a bob cat in a few minutes and 
after a short run the dogs were called off, 
and we left the bottom and climbed the Hog 
Back. Going South along the crest, about 
a half mile, we found the fresh track of a 
lion going down the hill toward a deep 
gulch, covered with cedar and pine. The 
dogs took the trail in fine style, old Jim 
and Boxer leading with the 2 young hounds 
closely following. The other 2 dogs were 
held in reserve. 
“Do you think they will get him?” said 
Wilson. 
“T’ll bet 50 to one they get him.” 
Sure enough in less than 10 minutes the 
baying of the dogs announced that the lion 
had treed. The 2 reserve dogs were then 
told to go, and away they went like flash, 
and in a few moments their voices were 
heard in the general chorus. We followed 
as fast as the nature of the ground would 
permit and in a few minutes reached the 
tree, a large pinon branching out from the 
ground. Up about 15 feet, on a large limb, 
lay the ‘‘ old game hog.” One of the dogs 
was up in the tree almost within reach of 
the lion. Hitching our horses we walked 
around on the upper side and took a good 
look at the old fellow. He seemed as cool 
and unconcerned as possible. 
I was carrying our little .25-20 Winches- 
ter, the only gun we had with us, and being 
the senior member of the party, and the 
- only one who had “ never seen a lion up a 
tree,’ I was given the “post of honor,” 
told to ‘‘ hold the fort’ and blaze away. So 
modestly, drawing a “bead” just behind 
his shoulder, I “ cut loose.” At the crack 
of the gun he went out of the tree back- 
ward, striking the ground on his hind feet, 
and then he made a bound down the hill 
fully 20 feet, with all the dogs after him. In 
about I00 yards they overhauled him, and 
the air was filled with snow, dogs and lion, 
for about a minute. Then he broke loose, 
but was caught again in about 25 yards, and 
when we got down to them he was dead. 
He proved to be a fine specimen, and in his 
prime, teeth and claws perfect and large, 
RECREATION. 
He measured 8 feet 4 inches from nose to 
tip of tail. We soon had his skin off, which 
through the kindness of Mr. Goff has been 
added to my collection. 
We then took a turn around on East Flag 
again, and back to the ranch, taking in a fine 
large bob cat.on the way back, which gave 
the dogs a fine run of about an hour. 
I should like to relate an incident of 
the De Beque hunt, which shows the stay- 
ing qualities of this pack of dogs. 
Late one evening Goff, with his dogs, 
struck the trail of a lion. Right in the start 
his horse fell with him and crushed his 
(Goff’s) foot so badly he had to give up and 
- go back, as it was nearly dark. The boys 
who were with him only followed the dogs 
a little farther and returned also. The dogs 
stayed out all night, and in the morning 
Mr. Goff sent some of the boys out to hunt 
them up. About noon they were found, 
having treed the lion and kept him up the 
tree all that time. Since then this pack has 
caught 6 more lions, making in all 18 last 
fall and winter. 
Parties coming here in search of this 
kind of sport would do well to secure the 
services of Mr. Goff and his dogs. He is 
perfectly reliable and thoroughly posted on 
all that pertains to that kind of sport. 
Karney. 

THE NEW KIND OF HUNTING. 
ERNEST SETON THOMPSON. 
Was there ever a boy who has not 
longed to go hunting? ‘There is an in- 
tense enjoyment in all the circumstances; 
the pursuit, the life in the open air, the 
exhilarating exercise, best of all the match- 
ing of one’s skill, pluck and endurance, 
against that of the animal. 
On the other hand, all thoughtful boys 
must realize that hunting is often cruel 
and unnecessary. It also gives free rein 
to the savage part of our nature and fre- 
quently ends in changing a harmless, beau- 
tiful creature into useless carrion. 
Science, however, has provided us with 
a new kind of hunting which offers all 
the fascination, the exercise and open-air 
surroundings, the competition, and the tri- 
umph of the chase with a superb trophy to 
show, and yet without any attendant cruel- 
ties. 
Hunting with the camera!.This has be 
come a leading diversion among those 
who 50 years ago would have been mere 
butchers of wild creatures. Many of the 
trophies of their hunts are among the most 
precious treasures of the camera and are 
full of scientific and pictorial value. 
There are many advantages in this 
kind of hunting besides those already spo- 
ken of. It is not expensive. There is no 
closeseason. Youdonotkilloff your game. 
There is room for all. You do not make 
enemies but rather friends of those on 
