The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-08
THE RE.IRS or ALASKA.
There Are several Varieties OF Them ut the Ser-
vice Of sporISnru.

In Alaska there are several varieties OF the
bear, including the polar or white bear, the
brown bear. and the grizzly bear q rSHs hOrri-
biiiSI. THE SrN has learned from a member OF
the United States Coast and Gcodctic Survey,
who has spent much time in Alaska, that, in the
colder months OF the year, dTuves OF polar bears
may b" seen as far 'Onth as 81. Matthew'S
Island in Bchr!ns sea, but that. when the
ice begins to break W there, they strike
out for the furthcst north. as far as the
Arctic Ocean. Their habits are Of a mari.
time character; they are great swimmers;
they do moi mind q swim OF from $50 to 200
miles il they can lind an occasional iceberg to
rest Oh. They are ferOCiou5, and have no fear
OF any eneny. so that the sportsman who is
fond Of adventures with II spice Of danger in
them cai. lind genuine happiness in hunting the
polar bear. which, however. il must be said. has
IA habit OF killing and devouring such persons as
may seek sport at its expense
The brown bear OF Alaska is a huge and shaggy
bear, varying in length from six TO twelve feet
and weighing from 500 10 300 pounds, and Is a
dangerous adversary. the terror Of the natives.
II Is an expert fisher, with a good appetite for
salmon in its season; and " hen the year ) run OF
that dainty fish is over 1t takes 10 the hills.
where small game awaits consumption. The
brown bear has been. particularly useful AS II
rooG.inaker, in Alaska. ir"ading The river
ner. So that the traveller. by following
its footsteps, VIII md the easiest routes
TO the hills and 10 the best fOrdiDg places. Is
habitat is believed 10 run as far north NJ the
Arctic Ocean. As to is lcrocity, the natives DO
not possess a monopoly Of the stories. Yet there
l. an authentic report that some time ago Two
men killed seven brown bears in one day upon
The mainland adjacent to the island OF nga,
and exhibited the skin7 in proof OF their good
faith. This story ought 20 give Encouragement
to those sport s!irn who like n spice OF luck as
Ii is hard 10 IeI whether the grizzly bear of
Alaska L more ferocious than he polar bear or
the brown bear Of that part Of A,nerica;, But
soinc OF the men who have travelled near Mount
81. Eliza say that the grizzly found there Is
nne9nn!lcd for frr9city, being iicrccr even than
never attack IL: hc takes To flight at the sight
OF II. II has no fear ~ bullets. II IS
hhSiRpy h Mh"n i T.. Lay I"S7 ur %yG coas on fo a nnTTPba n
natives believe that il possessc, supernatural
bowers AM c"Tn hypnot'Ic the, man VII" goes
occasion u party ~ two Americans in the Mount
~ t;llas region saw a grizzly M ~ distance cat
mined 10 try conclusions with il. They got rein.
toTCrments by which their party Wa raised 10
the number Of six. The liz men "a Sod thcir
rifles and poured a NOl!"$ into the body Of the
enemy, which thCrcupon rushed toward the
firing party. As the animal approached they
peprered 4! with their bullets until ITS life was
extinct. The skinning VI IL was The next thing:
aud u was one OF the members OF the party ~
six who said: "WhC4 the akin was stretched
Lock hide ! had ever seem"
That was an adventure for sportsm"n who
have no fear OF danger, but rather Like II. IN
truth there is no par of the American ronti-
hent. where an adventurous hunter "Hn get
hveller experience in, bear hunting than
lie cGm take his choice between the
polar bear, the brown bear. aEl the big.
ggfst FrI[~lE on earth, He @E hover abom,
lee dcids I6ich, TsSrdcr gTSSc $$TStiS Ocean, Some
between Florida Strait and Point Barrow.