The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1922-03-17
A Cougar Hunt

together with probable sale of the
hve cougar hides at $25 each, max
ing a total of $685., is the haul OF a
fifteen day hunt on the North Fork
of the Clearwater river by Phil
Schooler, formerly of Genesee, now
residing near Big Island. Mr..
Schooler arrived in Orotino, Friday
evening, March 4, and applied at
Sheriff Jewell's office Saturday for
bounty on his killing. Particulars
of the trip as given out by Mr..
Schooer follow:
February IA | crossed the North
Fork at Maiden Island and hunted
up the south side to Jim Smiths at
Big Island. was jolnd there by
Milton Higgins lad from Kansas,
who had no experience IN the woods
and who was very anxious to see a
real live cougar IN a tree.
deer were very plentiful around
the Island and were IN good con-
dltion considering the time of year.
Seeing no sign of a cougar we NOV
ed on up the river, each carrying
piece OF canvas, little grub and
less dishes. hunting both sides as
we went. There were plenty of
deer as far as Silver creek, but none
from there on up to John Larson's, a
distance of about ten miles.
"At Portage Rifle we caught a
large trout measuring about three
feet long, weighing between six and
seven pounds, which lasted US and
the dog four meals.
"We rested one day at Larson S
and caught IS trout, after which
with replenished grup supply, we
moved on up the river, accompanied
by Mr.. Larson. We called on
Charlie Smith, who has lived on the
North Fork for twenty odd years,
and found HIM IN good health, aItho
he had recently had narrow escape
from drowning. While crossing
the river the Ice gave way and he
had a very difficult time with the
aid only of an axe which he carried
in pulling himself back up on the
ice and was badly chilled before he
could get a fire built.
'At Salmon creek about ten
miles above Larson's we saw the
first cougar tracks. We followed
them up Salmon creek ridge and
contrary to their custom, found
that there were four of the animals
in bunch. When we jumped them
they separated and put the only
dog we had, "OId jack on the
trail Of the largest one which prov.
ed to be a wise old tom and instead
of climbing a tree he took straight
to the river and crossed, leaving the
dog and | to climb back up the noun
tam and try another. The second
one. female, was soon treed by the
dog and shot by Higgins. AS IT
was nearly dark we took onr packs
to Mckinnon's S cabin for the night
Returning to the tracks early the
next morning we soon had the sec
ond cougar in tree and killed. Ir
the afternoon we picked up the
track of the tom, who came bach
across the river, and turned Jack
loose, but the cougar recrossed anc
got away. On the third morning
Larson went hack after provision:
while Higgins and | took up tn.
hunt.
I'VE found that the tom was or
oui side of the river once more anc
with the fourth one of the bunch
| turned Jack loose on the female,
trail and as she circled hurrieC
across. leaving Higgins behind witt
the gun. AS | was going through g
patch of brush with my head dowl
| heard the snow crunch and tn,
painting of the cougar and as | look
ed up she was right IN front of mi
coming my way. yelled 'kamrad
and as she turned aside | hit he
with my walking stick. The do.
, treed both her and the tom ant
we got them both that day.
, "We hunted on up the rlve
and followed the trail of our tiftI
) cougar three days before Jack I'm
, ally treed MIN. He covered 10
of country and killed four deer AM
one elk in those three days.
"Our provisions being low by thi
time we went hack down the rive
Il