The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1889-12-26
THE WESTERN PUMA.
Something Concerning His Habits
and Enemies.
Ranchmen Disdain to Use the Rifle Upon
Him, But LassO and StrangIe Htm-A
Western Guides "Reminiscences.

"Most any cur dog, big or little, will
tree a painter; then while he sits up
th4re on big limb. watching the dogs
cavort around, you can sneak up and
shoot him in the head. A lasso's the
cutest thing to snare painter with on
the rum
The speaker, my guide in the South
west, was one of those men sometimes
met with in the backwoods or on the
frontier, so surfeited with wild life that
they see little remarkable in their ad-
ventures and take every thing in camp
life very much as matter of course.
John possessed that truthfulness that
comes from disposition to look at all
things logically, and ! never knew him
to exaggerate, even when telling snake
stories. He was, and had been all his
days from boyhood, a great hunter,
noted as the most successful and expe-
rienced for miles around. His wagon
loads of wild ducks, geese and turkeys
were famous, the game being all killed
by himself and his brother. In his un-
educated way he was both naturalist
and sportsman and besides many hunt
ing tales and interesting geological
facts, he related to me his experience
with that great tawny cat, the puma or
panther, which is not unfrequently met
with in the great prairie district.
The panther in search of small game
will not unfrequently wander to some
distance from the thickets of mesquite
and black chaparral that in miniature
forests of often great extent serve him
Tor hiding places. Sometimes the we'll
mounted ranchman, while pasture rid
ing, spies the great cat thus out of his
element and, swinging his lasso, makes
straight for it. The panther at once
retreats for the brush, but it does not
take long for the speedy mustang to
overtake it. There is a serpentine
lengthening of the coils of rope and
the moose settles gracefully over the
panther's head, while on the instant
the mustang comes to a quick halt, and
the cat is brought up with a jerk that
tlghtens the rope on his windpipe and
lugular. A momentary struggle fol-
lows and the horseman' wheels about
and gallops off, dragging and stran-
Cling the ill-fated feline. Only blow
back of the ear is further needed to
settle the panther, and the skin, minus
bullet holes, is a worthy trophy of the
lasso. This seems rather an ignomini-
GUS death for such dangerous beast.
Une would rather hear of him standing
at bay, avoiding the swift 1asso and
proving himself game enough for pow
der and lead. The hunters of the South
American pampas are said to catch and
XII the panther with the lasso, or with
mat more formidable weapon, the
bolas.
But 1t is well known by all hunters
OF experience that the panther, in spite
ol It's size and strength, is a coward.
with the wildcat and bear it has
learned that weaponed man is the sort
VI animal to keep away from rather
tnan to spring upon. 1t has learned,
soo' that barking dogs are closely
associated with man and it fears them
accordingly, and to that extent that a
small whiffet or terrier will easily tree
y and keep it there till the hunters ap-
proach within gunshot. Only on GER
'aln occasions will panther stand its
ground against dogs, and then though
me pack were legion and all fierce
olooonounds. This is when it is hun
sfy and in possession of some tempting
mea OF which it is about to partake.
my guide remembered an instance in
~nlcn three large hounds were killed,
several severely wounded and the rest
y the pack put 70 flight by panther
sns's hao Just killed calf. But even
= such time, at sight of man it will
general oy make off, sometimes, if posi-
- taking its prey along. 1t seems as if
.ae animal cowardice is often brought
scout by Its disposition to keep out Of
TOW Il there is nothing to be game j