Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1888-11-30
HUNTING WILDCATS.
Thrilling Sport with which Fioridians
Amuse Themselves.


Amuse Them selves.
Chatting over their cigars, few
gentlemen passed a pleasant hour ex-
changing personal experiences of the
chase. Mr.. M. n. Bryan, of Madison
County. Fla, told, with much interest
to his listeners, stories of the hunting
OF the wildcat. He said:
The Florida wildcat, when fully
grown, weighs about fifty pounds, is
and when in full chase of pack Of
hounds is an object to startle and be-
wilder Il Northern hunter. With fur
thrown back. claws extended, leaping
with great springs through forest or
swamps, the ordinary sportsman. at
the first sight of the animal, turns pale
and wants to leave instlnter. The cat
will attack sheep, lambs, young hogs
and poultry. hut the human family,
except young and unprotected chill
dren, need have no fear of him.
know of no sport so exciting and de-
handing effort so hard and long
continued as u eat drive The hunt
ing party having been agreed upon
they meet an hour and half before
daylight, mounted on their best horses
and attended by hounds, often to the
number Of forty. The wild cat is gen
orally found foraging at this hour and
being surprised, rams quickly to the
cover OF the nearest swamp or climbs
tree. If he seeks tree. he is not
shot, but the tree is cut down or he is
otherwise dislodged The hounds are
held in leash until be gets good
start, when the leader blows his horn
and the pursuit is resumed. If the cat
enters swamp, the hounds follow
him there and ultimately drive him
out and the hunting party, guided by
the noise of the dogs, is ready to take
up the chase near the point where tho
game energies. And 50 we go, Over
the hills, through the farms, jumping
fences, leaping ditches! No English
fox hunt can compare with the Florida
cat drive, aad few are the farmers
who can resist leaving team a-feld and
running to the house for saddle
when the baying of hounds and the
blowing of horns tell that cat
drive is on. The hounds OF every
. farmer hearing the din leave their
kennels. and are found loudest-
mouthed in the pursuing PACK. At
last comes the end, as all sports must
end.
AFTER an all days chase the wild
cat ii four O'Clock in the afternoon, or
nj five o'clock at the latest, can go
ll-tlc further. The swapping jaws of
the hounds come closer and closer
lie turns his glaring eyes a moment
behind him and staggers on. The
pack of dogs that had been in full cry
in the morning is now broken. Only
the hardy ones have kept up with the
long chase. Horses and riders are
worn and iaded The cat can run no
more. He prepares TO battle for his
life He turns on his back, raises his
feet and strikes his long claws vicious
~ at any hound that dare attack him
The battle is long and bloody, and be-
fore it ends hounds are friglJfully
oS'i GU dhu oi1Su lOoc all eye MANY
a time after a cat chase have | sewed
up the ears Of my dogs. The cat drive
is the Florida mans favorite sport. 1t
is not pursued with the purpose of ex-
terminating the animals. Indeed, by
State law a hunter. who will shoot
cat in front of his dogs, is fined $50,
and, by a rule of the Hunters Asso-
citation, he is fined again for the same
otfcnse. You seq if the cat is killed
by a bullet the hounds that have fol-
lowed it are forever spoiled for the
chase. Their proper discipline and
future usefulness require that they
| should kill the cat. On this account
shotguns and rifles are usually left be-
hind. st. Louis Globe Democrat.