The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-25
AFTER Big GAME IN ARIZONA.
BEAR AND PANTHER HUNT IN
THE MOUNTAINS.

THE MOUNTAINS.
On the Track OF Brown Bear Through
Cany0ns-ShOotins q Mountain Lion
in the Early MOrninE-The Big Cat
Returning for Its Prey Was Killed.
i have roamed good deal over the
mountains of southern Arizona, but have
never seen there grizzly bear; nor have
l known one reliable man who claimed
that he had, says John A. Spring in the
Los Angeles Times. The cinnamon and the
black bear, however, are very common
nearly all the year around, and ! believe
that they hibernate In this region, If at
all, for a very short period only. They
live principally on berries during the sum
mer perhaps also on cactus fruit. Small
game they can catch in plenty, and when
hunger presses them very hard they will
catch and devour a small calf or sheep from
the numberlees herds grazing all over the
hills and in the shady mountain gorges.
The most destructive quadruped, how
ever, has been at all times the American
California; or mountain lion, called in the
Eastern and Middle States panther. These
large cats kill and devour many calves
and colts. Notwithstanding that quite fire.
quently the mares, especially, defend their
young with great courage and fury. have
seen, at the ranch Of my Mexican brother
in-law, several mares that had been fright
fully scratched and torn by mountain
lions while defending their colts, and also
several COWS, half blinded and with torn
ears and face, although the horned cattle.
with better means Of defence, do not fight
for their offspring with the energy dis
played by the mares.
Near this ranch a mountain lion broke
into the calf pen Of neighboring ranch
during the night and killed, within a few
minutes, five calves by biting through
their jugular veins, and would probably
have killed more IL the noise caused by the
commotion in the pen had not wakened
the ranoher and brought him TO the rescue.
A premium Of SIS IL paid by every county
in the Territory for the scalp Of a mountain
lion. and several men follow their destruo-
ton as a means Of livelihood. As this big
oat never devours an animal completely at
one meal, but hides 1t In the most ingenious
manner, to return to 1t after while, their
destruction by poisoning their prey has
been attempted frequently, but with in
different success, because the scent 81
this lion Ia Incredibly acute, and he will
at once abandon his prey forever the mo-
ment he scents the touch Of the human hand
but upon feeling the pangs Of approach
ing dissolution from the effects OF the poison
he will hide in mountain gorge or cave
inaccessible to man. The female noun
tain lion, as we'll as the wild cat, will. be-
fore going on hunting expedition, care
fully hide her young. not infrequently
carrying them up a Tee, to deposit them
there in depression made by the forks Of
strong branches.
On the second day after our arrival at
the ranch, when We had just settled down
and finished careful examination Of all
the firearms and ammunition on hand,
the major domo or overseer OF the place,
who has full charge Of the premises reser-
voirs herders and herds, and rides over at
least part OF the range every day, reported
fresh bear tracks leading into canon
half way up the mountain. We mounted
Immediately, taking with us herder ex-
perienced in tracking. and q very strong
though i'll trained dog, supposed TO be
cross between a wolf hound and bulldog.
The major domo led the way, which soon
and higher toward the base OF the noun
tains, where we crossed several cahons
rich in verdure.
After we had assembled to a height OF
domo showed us the tracks, and having
urgent duties elsewhe left us. The dog
did not at first scent the tracks which were,
however, 30 plain that we could easily
follow them. They led into deep cahon,
widening in its ascent toward the mountain
side. We followed the tracks for about
two miles, until we arrived at place where
the sides OF the canon were easily accessible.
The tracks here led to the right and upward
TO O level space about 200 yards wide, where
we came to smaller canon, into which
we descended, finding that thence the tracks
again led upwa ard toward andlinto the noun
tain. In a sandy place we found a spot
hollow ed out as by large body that had
lain there recently Evidently the game
we were after had rested here for some
time, and probably left the place that morn
The dog now showed interest in the chase,
after having shifted all over the hollow in
the sand, and took up the trail Of his own
volition. Fearing that he would start
line held BY our herder. The tracks we're
not quite fresh, and we dsmounted, tying
our horses to scrub oak. -,
This ca non was overgrown with many
bushes, around which our way wended;
many Of them were jumpers, and we could
plainly observe where the bear had stopped
to pluck some twies to eat the berries.
At length the dog gave tongue and made
shot forward like an arrow. Presently
we heard a commotion ahead, accom-
panied bunuTy
a minute the dog returned to US, bowling
dismally, with a broken paw, lacerated
ears and his face a mass OF blood. His
left aide was nearly ripped open. At the
same time there emerged from q clump OF
bushes about 100 yards in front OF us dark
body, evidently q full grown cinnamon
or brown bear.
Out Of courtesy Mr.. Charouleau urged
me to take the first shot. The bear was
in full retreat and offered to us his rear
as a target. took aim quickly while he
traYersed an open space between the under
growth, and fired. We heard distinctly
the thud Of the bullet upon his hump. and
saw him shake himself violently. But he
did not stop. Neither did he look around.
Then for a short time We lost sight OF him,
as he had entered grove OF mesquite trees
with heavy underground extending well
up toward a ridge on our right; but we could
at ell times guess pretty closely. where he
was from the noise he made while forcing
his way through the brush, and the rocks
that came rolling down the side OF the ridge.
Soon he emerged from the thicket and stood
for moment in plain view, looking down
toward us. While doing 80 he turned side
ways and thus offered q plain, dark sill
houette against the light gray rocks behind
him. Chsrouleau's Winchester spoke.
The bullet entered behind the bear e left
shoulder and went straight to the heart.
The bear gave leap upward which brought