Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-11-21

construed understanding and lightly
colored fiction than any of the other
big game animals. Nevertheless. it is
safe to stay on the side of caution.
The grizzly at any time or place. under
any wilderness condition, is a chap to
command respect. The female grizzly,
with young. is one of the most dam
gerous animals in the world.
1T has been my privilege to know
some of the greatest shots that ever
drew lead on Il bear. Many years Of
my life have been spent on the noun
tain ridges. fallen timber and rough
gulches in quest Of the grizzly, AS !
have said before. it has been my for
Stors. and it has always taken from
four TO ten shots before / knew | was
on top. but never at any time was
there an absence of feeling Of security:
such as one feels with feet e~nsconced
on the hearth at home.
THE grizzly is the most impressive
animal on the North American CONT
nent. He leads the list in brain power,
and is the most distinguished and dom
mating figure in the animal world. He
has strength, keen wits, clever paws.
and an amazing amount of sagacity and
bravery. He has no idea of running,
except at you. and in This he has a
tremendous and terrifying persistency.
He will fight desperately after being
shot through the heart. The ordinary
bullet fired at his head will flatten as
if ii had hit a rock. The only success
in putting a grizzly down for the count
is a shot around his ear. That's been
my experience.
"Grizzlies do not offer much in
Ss,- f@,. l.-
them. Never track them and expect
to catch them. Find out his destina-
ton and then circle him. providing the
wind is in your favor. and seven
times out of ten you will get a shot
at Mr.. Bruin; that IS, If your shots
are true. If not, it might cost YOU q
leg, or an arm. or even your life.
That's. the chance you take. however.
and a sporting chance is all the big
game hunter wants in the way of odds.
"Grizzlies are coated in silvery gray
and brown. with the exception Of the
bald-faced grizzly. and then you will
find their heads are a silvery gray. of
which there are very few in the noun
tains today. One of the prettiest
sights | ever saw was the sun break
ing through the blankets of stormy
clouds cast its rays on a bald-faced
uIttHfE ANU TWO thDN. HuNp OIIPD
wished for a photo Of the scene.
1t was a picture never to forget. but !
was lucky. Her head is mounted and
hangs on the wall at home.
"Grizzlies grow large and live to be
very old. You will find that they
are one Of The fastest animals in the
world. Ordinarily they travel along
at a gait that is neither a walk OF
a trot. They are exceedingly speedy
and their endurance is astounding
They are usually from six to eight
feet long, their shoulders high, and
the head is narrow. Their paws and
nose are sharper and longer than the
black or brown bear. Grizzlies have
small eyes and ears, but their eyes
cover a large scope of country. They
average from 400 to 1000 pounds. and
have the strength to carry off the
carcass Of q horse or q COW When in
trouble. falling timber is not in their
way. They remind one of gathering
kindling for the morning fires. They
are one of the easiest animals to trap.
The grizzly faces determination, how
ever. even as the buffalo Of the plains.
unless protected by legislation. If
trapping is permitted to continue, he
will 500 disappear altogether.
"Gr1zzl1es are not a meat eating
animal. except in the spring, after
they have taken their long sleep.
Then they will eat almost anything
that happens their way. The rest
Of the year they live on berries, ants.
roots and herbs. They are also fond
of anything that is smoked. They are
poor in spring and rolling fat in fall.
Never destroy the fat of a bear. 1t
renders one Of the finest oils for the
skin and scalp Won can get today."