AN AUCKLANDER IN ALASKA

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14244, 15 December 1909, Page 11

AN AUCKLANDER IN ALASKA

HUNTING EXPERIENCES. AFTER THE GRIZZLY BEAR. Mr. Frank Bullock-Webster, formerly of Auckland, writing from Alaska to his relatives !i?re, describes some of his hunting experiences in that country. He says: "Jeff and I left here <Nakina Stn., Atlin, 8.C.) about 10 a.m., and went up to the tent on the summit, 12 miles south. We had lunch there, and then I went up when I found myself about four miles fine looking country up there, all flat or rolling grassy mountains. I circled round the base of some high peaks, and saw several ground hogs, shot at one, but tho wind was blowing so hard, I could not hold on him at all. One has no idea of the strength of the wind till he gets on these mountains. I kept on walking till dusk, when I found myself about four miles from the tent. Had to climb down and out of a very deep gulch too, and got in just after dark, saw no sign of big game except one moose track. Next day it rained to "beat the band," so we stayed in camp and ate all our grub but a mess of rice and a few dried potatoes. We only cook enough for one day. Next morning it rained till about 10 a.m. Then it cleared so off we went up on the mountains, intending to circle around on top of them and come cut five miles from home, near where I got the sheep last winter. Jeff and I separated soon after we were on top. I kept on so as to strike the Nakina about six or eight miles below the cabin. It was very good travelling there except for several deep gulches. I walked till late in the afternoon without seeing a thing. While I was taking a photo, from the top of a high cliff 1 saw a bunch of eight or 10 sheep way off in the distance, two or three miles away 1 started down the cliff, but when halfway down I saw that they had all disappeared. I thought I knew where they would run to, so I ran and scrambled down the gulch and over the top of the opposite mountain, ran till I pretty nearly bad a fit, to try and head 'em off. bu', when I got on the other side, could find no tracks. Picked up the trail of three going in the opposite direction round the mountain, facing the line trail, so off I went again, 20ft at a jump. I knew if I could get across th© mountain in time 1 would catch them. When I got to the top I l*«y down and puffed with my tongue out like a dog for a little while, then started down carefully. I looked over a bench and there they were. They saw me directly, and before I could get a shell in my gun, were out of sight round a spur. I rushed round after them, and there they were about 200 yds off going like steam. I emptied my magazine into 'em before they got out of sight round the corner without touching a hair apparently, then I lan at 'champion' speed over the spur, loading as I went, got there just. in time to get three shots at one disappearing sheep, not one of which touched him. So sat and watched the single sheep come in sight again. Thought it funny that I could not see the others, so went back to look for blood- Got to about 100yd6 from where they went out of sight, and there I found a fine ram with 17in horns, dead as a door nail. He was hit on the left flank, and the bulletwent right through him lengthways. About 50yds below him was the other, a three-

year-old ram,- shot pretty nearly in the same way. It was 6.30 p.m. when I started shooting. I skinned and cut up the sheep, put about 401b of meat on each of my two dogs, and took the head and some meat off the big ram and started home. It was a nasty trail, and got dark before I went far- and I got home at 10.30 p.m., very tired and hungry, as I had only a little rice and potatoes for breakfast at eight a.m. "On the 28th last Jeff and I started for the 30-mile S., to meet Hughes, and see if any trees on the wire. About two miles this side of the 18-mile, I was ahead, and saw a big grizzly jump down into a little creek and wade across towards us. We had the wind, so I signed to .leff to hurry up and took off my pack' and ran to head him off. I ran about 100 yds, and suddenly met Mr. Bar face to face. He stood up on his hind legs and looked at me, seemed about 15ft high! I shot at his brisket, and he gave a howl and fell down, but was up like a flash and started running down the hill, away from me. I cut loos© again, and he turned about six somersaults, and thought he was done sure that time, but he got up and started howling and prancing around in the willows like a cat having a fit. I kept on pumping in bullets, and by that time Jeff got there and sent a couple of shots at him. I eventually fixed him with the last, cartridge in my magazine, by breaking his neck. We then went near him, and looked carefully to see that he was really quite dead, then took some photos, of him. My first shot was at about 30yds, and all the rest at between 50yds and 75yd6. He had seven bullet holes in him, one only just cutting the hide* I got four of my bullets out of his carcase,.and one went right through him. We skinned him that evening with our pocket-knives, no small job either, and I packed the hide, head and feet. The fur. though short, is good. Next day I fleshed the skin, and boiled the head and got meat off it. I packed the skin home, and it weighed 601b, and I had my camera, tripod, and rifle as well, so I had quite a load to pack 18 miles over the summit in a day. The hide stretched measured 7ft by sft. I packed about 541b of meat home on the two dogs. It was very fat. and we have been having great feeds lately. It is fine meat. I like it better than sheep." . ;