The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1904-02-11
PECCARY HUNTING
Exciting Sport Found in the Wood
ed Districts of Brazil.
The Wild Hogs of South America Are
Savage Fighters, Though Small
Are a TOOthsOme Article
of Diet,

The big porkers of the American
farmer which tip the scales at any,
where from 200 to 500 pounds have a
diminutive cousin in Brazil by the
name of peccary, that is good eating
and exciting to hunt. Although not
found on the open plains, or campos,
these animals occur plentifully in all
the wooded districts of Brazil. In the
more populous regions, where cultiva-
ton is in progress, they roam about in
small droves or punches from four to
seven. But in the wild districts, where
the forest is virgin, large herds of SO
or more individuals are commonly met
With. The food of the cateto-as the
common peccary is called through the
state of San Paulo-consists for the
most Fart of roots, berries, worms, and
insects. These it grubs out of the
ground with its snout, after the man.
ner of pigs the world over. The droves
have no settled runs, but wander about
wherever fancy dictates, remaining in
district just so long as food is plentiful.
The catetos often do very serious DAM
age to cultivation, for when they dis
cover a corn or sugar plantation, they
are sure to destroy large quantities OF
the crop. Moreover, if their incursions
are not summarily dealt with, they will
remain in the neighborhood until the
entire plantation is destroyed. Thus it
happens that peccary hunting is a very
necessary, as we'll as very popular
sport among the Brazilian farmers.
The common peccary is by no me ans
large animal. 1t seldom weighs more
than from IS to 40 pounds, although
there is another species, occasionally
met with, which reaches twice that size.
Peccaries lack, too, the sharp out-grow-
ing tusks which make the Old World
boars such formidable opponents. Yet
piggy peccary" is one of the "gamest"
creatures imaginable. Given fair char ce
he will make a hard fight gainst any
number of odds. Both the panther and
the jaguar, the "oncas" of the native dia-
lect, are very fond Of peccary meat. They
will follow herd for weeks and months
together, on the chance of picking up a
straggler now and then. But the pee
| carries are such fierce fighters that the
big cats are afraid to attack them in
| the open, or when two or more are to-
gether.
From these facts it will be seen that
peccary hunting is anything but tame
sport. The cateto is one of the very few
animals that will face dog without
fiinching. and a peccary hunt is usually
both dangerous and fatiguing. About ten
or IL dogs are set upon the trail of q
| drove, the huntsmen following, as best
they may, on foot. When the dogs CONF
up with the peccaries, the little ami.
mails turn to bay in a closely packed
squealing crowd Often the veteran
boars of the herd rush out upon theil
canine enemies, and it is seldom that {
hunt passes without one or more dog:
being killed or badly injured. Careles.
| and inexperienced huntsmen are also liza
BILE to be badly mauled, for the peccarie'
seem incapable of fear, and rush madl!
at any moving object, be it dog or man
Their teeth are exceedingly sharp, an.