The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-06-10
FACES IBOUT GRIZZLIES.


most Disappeared-He is Becoming
Rare--StOries of Grizzlies and Hunters
Tho Big Fellow as Compared with
other Bcars-Illustrations of His Great
Ability as n Shoulder Hitter.
(From the san Francisco Chronicle,)
The grizzly bear is becoming rare in
California. OF late years 1t has been
sometimes said that the animal had al
most disappeared from the state, But
this is by no means true. A we'll
known fur dealer at San Francisco
buys as many as dozen skins each
year, taken from grizzlies killed in Cal
ifornia. lie says, however that these
pelts are all from small bears; that
there are probably no longer any large
grizzlies in the state. From many
counties in which bears were common
III the early days they have entirely
disappeared.
A few grizzlies may still be found in
parts of the coast range, the Sierra Ne
Vada and the SiskiyOu region. In the
high Sierra there are many hundreds
of square miles which will always re-
main a wilderness, being unfit for Gull
tivation and human habitation. These
wilds afford retreats from which the
Ngrizzly may never be wholly eXterm-
mated though ranChers and stoclmen
keep up an unceasing warfare on bears
of all sorts wherever the animals are
found. The grizzly, in particular, has
been so much hunted that it has become
exceedingly wary, and it's haunts are
now far from the most remote settle
ments. But this hunting has seldom
been with the object of sport, the ami
NAL being too formidable for the
sportsman.
Before the American occupation the
grizzly was found in almost all parts of
California. 1t frequented the wooded
banks of the great water courses in the
valleys of the Sacramento and San Joa-
quin rivers, as we'll as in the foothills
and the mountains. In the early IF
ties" families of them were often seen
crossing the Sacramento valley, appa-
rently migrating from the Sierra NeVa-
da to the coast range, or vice versa.
The bends of the Sacramento river, in
the Colusa neighborhood, harbored
many of them. Surveyor General w.
S. Green, who lived in the valley as
early as 1850, says that then there were
hundreds, if not thousands, of bears in
the thickets along the river and its
tributaries. General Bidwell, who was
one of the earliest American residents
of the valley, speaks of having seen
many grizzlies in the open country near
the rivers. In these days the appear
ance of a grizzly in the Sacramento
valley would excite almost as much
surprise as an elephant
At that early period the grizzly,
though much less shy than it has since
become, was rarely aggressive. The
Indians and the whites were careful to
avoid it, and Ephraim usually preferred
to shamble off rather than to offer COM
bat. But, if suddenly disturbed at
close quarters, and especially if in the
brush, the grizzly was almost invaria-
bly, disposed to show fight. And she
bear, with cubs, has ever been savage
1y combative
Even in thick cover, and finding its
haunts invaded, the grizzly would usu-
ally avoid an encounter if allowed am
pie time to get out of the way. Mr.
Green relates that on one occasion he
mento river, through the thick under
growth. and CHANGED to come upon the
track of a large grizzly. 1t had been
made since the rain of but fifteen min
utes before, so that he knew the foot
prints must be very fresh. He went on
slowly and cautiously, making noise
enough to let his progress be known, at
the same time keeping watchtul eye
ahead Presently he heard a great
splash in the water and found that the
bear had taken to the river. The ami
NAL swan to the opposite bank
climbed up and disappeared.
1t would, however be a mistake tc
infer from such instances that the grlZ-
zly does not attack unless actually mo
Tested, There have been many cases If
which the bear was the aggressor
though entirely unprovOked. The trutf
seems to be that the grizzly is variable
in it's disposition; at times savage with
out perhaps, any exciting cause, and al
times much more disposed to seek safe
ty in stealthy flight than to attach
man. All acquainted with its ways
agree that it is more apt to be alarmed
by the voice than by the mere sight o.
q man.
James Capen Adams, a famous bea1
hunter of the early days, on one occa
sion was unexpectedly confronted by {
big grizzly, which reared and gazed
him open mouthed. He was withou
his rifle and momentarily expected az
attack But, seeing that the monste
was undecided, he gave a terrifying
yell, swung his fur cap, and ratified {
chain which he held in his hand
These demonstrations frightened tn
bear and it took to its heels. But a
other times he was furiously attacked
Under like circumstances.
It is the general verdict of hunter
that it is mistake to run from a griz
Fly if the animal be close at hand. T,
do so is to invite instant pursuit. Ant
though the animal is exceedingly clum
sy in appearance it is credited with TIL
ability to overtake even horse on
sudden rush. Sometimes it will charg
without any warning, advancing at