Stalking a Grizzly.
Mr H. Seton-ICirr, M.P., the big-game hunter, makes some interesting remarks on "Hunting Grizzly Bears in the Rockies," in the course of an interview with him which appears in ChiUns for July. In answer to tho query, "'How do you set about 'stalking' a grizzly?" Mr Seron-ICarr replied, " Generally speaking, the grizzly is not difficult to stalk, though I must admit that I have more than once occupied a whole morning in bringing ono down. Bears are possessed 'of a remarkably keen scent, and to get within range of them you must go up wind. The experienced hunter quietly wends his way towards his prey, crawling behind trees, and keeping as much out of sight as possible. As a rule you come on a grizzly rather suddenly in the Rockies, as the ground is rough and undulating. For a certain shot you ought to approach within 100 yds of the animal. " Some old grizzlies are decidedly savage. If you interfere with them they are almost certain to try to kill you. They have considerable speed, and can run as fast as a horse. Their strength, too, is proverbial. One blow from a grizzly's paw is sufficient to break the back of a horse. The ferocity of the grizzly, however, has been exaggerated. Every animal — even the most bloodthirsty — has an instintive dread of man, and' the grizzly is no exception to the rule. Usually he is afraid to show fight, but if you disturb him at a meal the chances are that he will charge you. "I recollect interrupting a grizzly as he was eating a dead elk. He flew on mo like a flash, and was within six feet of my person before I disposed of him. "I am inclined to believe," Mr Seton-Karr continued, " that the grizzly bear is a more dangerous brute to tackle than even the lion. A lior seldom attacks unless he is injured or provoked. In the majority of instances he retires in a faint-hearted manner. The same may be said of the grizzly, but when their anger is aroused there is a marked difference between the fighting propensities of the two animals. The lion allows you time to prepare. But the grizzly, if he means business, never hesitates ; he advances with a rush, never pausing for an instant. 'For this reason you have to be far quicker with your rifle when dealing with a grizzly than with a lion."
Stalking a Grizzly.
Otago Witness, Issue 2375, 7 September 1899, Page 62
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