Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-12-23
THE BEARS OF ALASKA.
There Are Several Varieties Of TheM
At The Seryice Of SDOrtsmen.


bear, the brown bear and the grizzly
bear (lInus horribilis). The Sun has
learned from member OF the United
States coast and geodetic survey, who
has spent much time in Alaska, that, IN
the colder months of the year, droves
of polar bears may be seen as far south
as St. Matthews island in Behring sea,
but that, when the ice begins to break
up there, they strike out for the fur
thest north, as far as the Arctic ocean.
Their habits are Of q maritime charac-
ter; they are great swimmers; they 40
not mind a swim Of from $50 to 200
miles if they can find an occasional ice
berg to rest on. They are ferocious,
and have no fear of on enemy, SO that
the sportsman who is fond OF adven'
lures with spice of danger in them can
find genuine happiness in hunting the
polar bear, which, however, 1t must be
said, has habit Of killing and devour'
Ing such persons US 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 800 to l,s0o pounds, and is dan
gerous adversary, the terror OF the ma
tives. 1t is an expert fisher, with a
good appetite for salmon in its season;
and when the years run OF that dainty
fish is over it takes to the hills, where
small game awaits consumption. The
Drown bear has been particularly USE
full as roadmaker in Alaska, treading
the river banks and plains in purpose
full manner, so that the traveller, by fol-
lowing its footsteps, will find the easiest
routes to the hills and to the best ford.
Ing places. Its habitat is believed to
run as far north as the Arctic ocean,
As to its ferocty, the natives do not
possess a monopoly Of the stories, Yet
there is an authentic report that some
time ago two men killed seven brown
bears in one day upon the mainland adj
iacent to the island of Unga, and ex-
hibited the skins in proof of their good
faith. This story ought to give encour'
agement to those sportsmen who like
q spice of luck as well as Of danger in
their sport.
1t is hard to tell whether the grizzly
bear of Alaska is more ferocious than
the polar bear or the brown bear OF that
part of America. Dut some of the men
who Travelled near Mount st. Elias say
that the grizzly found there is un-
equaled for ferocity. being fiercer even
than The Rocky mountain variety. The
Indian will never attack it; he takes
to flight at the sight of it. 1t has no
fear of bullets. 1t is happy when 1t
laws eyes on human being; humanity
is but provendcr for it. The natives be-
lieye that ii possesses supernatural pow
ers and can hypnotic the man who goes
out to kill it. Yet it is related that
upon one occasion party of two Amer
leans in the Mount st. Elias region saw
grizzly at distance catching fish
uron the banks of stream and deter
mined to try conclusions whit. They
got achievements by which their
party was raised to the number OF six,
The six men raised their rifles and
poured volley into the body OF the
enemy. which thereupon rushed toward
the firing party As the animal APP
proached they peppered it with their
bullets until its life was extinct The
SHINING of it was the next thing; and
II was one of the members of the party
of six who said. "When the skin was
stretched out it looked to me bigger
than the biggest bullock hide | had ever
seem"
That was an adventure for sportsmen
who have no fear Of danger, but rather
like it. In truth, there is no part OF the
American continent where an adven'
furious hunter can get liveier expert.
ences in bear hunting than those which
are to be found in Alaska. He can take
his choice between the polar bear the
brown bear and the biggest grizzly on
earth. He can hover about Mount 81,
Elias, take observations upon the main.
land near Unga, or go stalking among
the ice fields which border the arctic
ocean. some distance this side of the
north pole. There are yet lots Of
chances for sport in this country be-
tween Florida Strait and Point Barrow
N " C,,,