Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-11-17
Correspondence Of the Journal Of Commerce.
Rear Hunting in California.

Bear hunting is one Of the most prominent d.
versions in California, and il is worthy the en-.
ter'ainment Of an Emperor, when it is conduc.
ted by the natives of this country, and after
their own fashion.
Whenever Californian wishes 10 catch a
bear, which at any time he is willing TO under.
take for the sake Of the diversion, he goes, in
the first place, and looks we'll over the ground
Tor about two miles all around the spot where he
intends to lay his bait. This is done for the
purpose Of reconnOilerng every step Of ground
that he thinks he may have TO ride over, for the
purpose Of ascerIalning if there are any squir.
rel holes or rayines, aud likewise to form q
judgment which way the bear will be most like.
" 10 run from the bait on her becoming surpri.
sed. AT least one of his companions accompa-
MES him on this excursion.
They then go and catch mare, liz matters
not much who is the Owner,) or if this is diff.
cult, a stray horse will answer for the purpose.
As soon as they have ussoed their victim, they
take it TO the place previously seIecled for lay.
ing the bait. On thus spot they slrange the an.
NAL, and then let out its entrails, that the bear
may scent it at great distance. They then cut
off one quarter of this animal, and drag il all
over the ground fol half or Ihree.quarlers Of
a mile round the spot then take il back and
leave it with the carcase, always covering it
over with some grass or bushes, that the birds
may not devour il before the bear makes his ap.
pearance.
The bait being left in perfect order, and the
ground well reconnoiIered, they 60 away, and
do not trouble the bait The first night, because if
the bear comes the first night he will b. sure to
return if he is not troubled, and most likely
with two or several more. Consequently the
second night is the best hunt. The owners Of
the bait then invite, in secrecy, four or five
choice friends. They do not invite too many,
because through too much excitement among
many persons, oreagerness to get the first chance
to throw the lasso, the bear gets wind that all
is not right, and being very cunning animal, il
he once begins to suspect that the enemy i:
near, he keeps so good watch that il is impos.
sible to catch him. This company catch the
very best horses they can find. Ii is not the
heetesI horse that is considered the best for this
employment. 1t requires a tame, lively horse,
with good governmeet in the mouth, and a
strong back.
Every Thing being prepared, men, horses,
saddles, lassoeS, they all start at sundown or dusk
and keep carefully TO winward of the bait which
must be placed on piece Of ground clear from
rocks, trees, or bushes, and near or within about
eight hundred yards of one of these, for the pur-
pose of hiding themselves, that the bear may
not see them when he is approaching the bait.
horse that has been catching beurS three OF
four times will keep Il strict watch for the APP
proach of the bear at the bait, and will invaria.
| bly, let his master know-nol by noisy notion
but by deep und suppressed sighs, and picking up
his ears. Whenever the horses do this the men
who have been lying by on foot mount as quiet.
| Iy as possible, aud when all are reudy with their
lassoes in their hands ready 10 swing, they put
spurs to their horses, which at that moment are
very lule needed, that noble animal appearing
TO all intents and purposes rs anxious as his ri.
der to capture the savage animal. The horse,
being swiIter than the bear, if the plan has been
well laid, is sure 10 overlake him before he can
get 10 any bush.
The foremost rider throws his lasso and sci
dom fails Of catching the bear, either by the
neck or round the body or one of its legs
Should he miss, there are several more close a
his heels to throw their assoes. As soon as the
bear finds himself fast he renrs and grows, Ia
king hold Of the asso with his two fore paws
At this crisis the asso must always be kept tight
if not, the bear will exlricate himself mmcdi
Mely. Now comes in play the sagacity of thc
; noblest of animals. The horse from the YER,
moment the bear is Iassoed, keeps his eye on ev
cry movement, and appears TO do, or rather
believe actually Does all in his power to prolec
and defend his rider as we'll as himself; as it of
ten happens, that from careessness or inattcn
lion on the part of the rider, The bear will on
iangle the horses legs with the lasso, and i
; such cases, il is horse that has been used {
; assong bears he will with the greatest agilt
clear himself, without the least motion from III
bit.
have several times seen horse when tn
bear has been approaching him from before, ii
stead of turning around TO run away, wait unI
the bear got close him, watching him all lhe tim
= with a steady eye, and all of sudden take
leap right over the bear, and then turn suddenl
round aud face him again. This feat of cour'
J is only done by such horses as are we'll ScquaII
c ted with bearhunting. never was in either
y military or naval engagement myself but hav
s. heard hundreds say that fear exlsls the breas
:, of warriors no longer than ill the first voley
d fired. The same may bo said of the horse
K bear hunting. From the moment the hors
9 sees bear, it matters not at what distance,
J; begins TO remble, and his heart beats so lou
Il that his rider can distinctly hear it. But th
:. lasts no longer than tho first onset for as SOC
Il as the horse feels by the strain of the lasso tn
Il the bear is lassoed, his fear leaves him, and /
Q is from that moment to all appearance in h
highest glee. If the bear is u very large on
g two or three more persons will throw their la
n soes on him, because an old bear will he very y
n 10 take the Iasso in HE mouth and bite il of,
7 bring such strain on i Rs would break il.