Morning journal and courier., 1881-02-11
Winter in the CatskiIls.

What Game the Hunters Find in the Cold Seasons.-Bears, Panthers, and Wild Cats-The Habits of the Bear nd the Methods of the Hunters.
 [Correspondence New York TimesI
 It may be of interest to summer frequen- ters of the Catskill region to know some thing of it's appearance in the depths of winter The familiar roads and rambles are from three to five feet beneath the snow, while the notches and ravines lie so deeply buried that one wonders how it is possible for them to fully emerge from the feecy mass by the advent of summer. The great white hotels send a deeper chill to the beholder as he reflects upon the usual comforts suggested by such structures. Doors and windows are tightly closed, and there are no signs of life around them. But for all that the region is not wholly without attractions, several species of wild game still abound in many portions of this mountain locality, and the hunters are successful in making large cap lures annually. Among these the bear, not yet disposed to give up his favorite tramping ground entirely is still found The black bear still inhabits the Catskill and many are captured every winter, strange as it may seem to summer visitors, who in all their rambles hero have probably never chanced to meet one The truth is, however, the animal is commonly found somewhat further back ill the mountains than the locality known as the boarding region, and yet bears are frequen- tly seen and annually caught on some of the prominent peaks facing the river The wri- ter, while traversing High Peak last summer, was shown by his guide the hut of profes- sional bear-trapper at the base of that noun tain, who caught several bears in that vicinity every Winter, he said. Another consollng thought to timid visitors is the well-known fact that Bruin, although ferocious beast under certain circumstances, has great fao rOf,. and iG fy1l tn keep out of his sight whenever possible. The only exception to this conduct is when he is suddenly discovered in presence of his young, and in their defense he will fight bit terly to the last.
 The principal bear region is the Shanda- ken Mountains and the steep towering de- clivities which skirt Watson Hollow, Deep Hollow, Mink Hollow, and Big Indian Hol- low Here they are trapped and taken in various ways in the late fall and early win ter, Hunters aver that because of additional clearinqs in the forest of late years the shrubs and venes furnish a greater abundance of berries and food, and hence bears are more numerous here than formerly. Their favorite food however is beech-nuts, and this region usually produces these in ample supply. The crop was large last season, and the bears al- ready captured are found to be fat in conse- uuence The bear IS very domestic in win- ter retiring to his den in December he rare- ly leaves it until snow disappears, but sub sists on sucking his paws or launches, as the trappers assert, coming out in the spring little more than skin and bone, especially if the winter has been close and long. In ac- cordance with the familiar tradition, he is sup posed to emerge from his hole on the 2d day of February, when, if he sees his shadow, he returns to his lair, remaining in six weeks more before he ventures out again. In open | winters, however, they are out occasionally, | and may be easily tracked. Dogs often scent | them out but they can easily box off half | dozen of these, dealing fatal blows with their huge paws. But they will avoid an en- | counter with man whenever possible, | though if forced on the defensive hunters | are apt to leave them alone, unless well pre- 1 pared and armed. Some are caught in log 1 traps alive, requiring small army of men | to secure the animal afterward. Most are caught in stout steel traps having log attach l ments. Finding his leg in one of these, Bruin slaps the trap repeatedly against the l rockf with great force in order to get loose. | Failing in this, he sometimes gnaws of the I leg, and imps away to freedom. Some are l killed with powder and ball, and in various ways the coveted game is secured by the l three or four bears good winters take A | pounds, but the average weight of those talk | en here is not above 200 pounds perhaps. I The pelts bring from $4 to BIO in this city, according to size and quality of fur. The carcass sells readily at 25 cents per pound. A few winters ago the Gosso brothers, of Shandaken, discovered den containing five
 bears. They killed three of the number, two escaping by rear outlet Last writer Isaac