Here is a few short grizzly hunting stories from some of the men out West.


Osborne Russell:
I sat down upon a rock which overlooked the country below me at length casting a glance along the
South side of the Mountain I discovered a large Grizzly bear sitting at the mouth of its den I
approached within about 180 paces shot and missed it. he looked round and crept slowly into his
den I reloaded my rifle went up to the hole and threw down a stone weighing 5 or 6 lbs which
soon rattled to the bottom and I heard no more I then rolled a stone weighing 3 or 400 lbs into
the den stepped back two or three steps and prepared myself for the out come. The Stone had
scarcely reached the bottom when the Bear came rushing out with his mouth wide open and was
on the point of making a spring at me when I pulled trigger and Shot him thro. the left shoulder
which sent him rolling down the Mountain It being near night I butchered him and left the Meat
lying and returned to Camp. The next day I took the meat to camp where we salted and smoked it
ready for winters use.

Another from Russell:
On the 20th of August we started
again to hunt meat: we left the Fort and travelled abot 6 miles when we discovered a Grizzly Bear
digging and eating roots in a piece of marshy ground near a large bunch of willows. The Mullattoe
approached within 100 yards and shot him thro. the left shoulder he gave a hideous growl and
sprang into the thicket. The Mullattoe then said “let him go he is a dangerous varmint” but not
being acquainted with the nature of these animals I determined on making another trial, and persuaded
the Mullatto to assist me we walked round the bunch of willows where where the Bear lay
keeping close together, with our Rifles ready cocked and presented towards the bushes untill near
the place where he had entered, when we heard a sullen growl about 10 ft from us, which was
instantly followed by a spring of the Bear toward us; his enormous jaws extended and eyes flashing
fire. Oh Heavens! was ever anything so hideous? We could not retain sufficient presence of
mind to shoot at him but took to our heels separating as we ran the Bear taking after me, finding
I could out run him he left and turned to the other who wheeled about and discharged his Rifle
covering the Bear with smoke and fire the ball however missing him he turned and bounding
toward me - I could go no further without jumping into a large quagmire which hemmed me on
three sides, I was obliged to turn about and face him he came within about 10 paces of me then
suddenly stopped and raised his ponderous body erect, his mouth wide open, gazing at me with a
beastly laugh at this moment I pulled trigger and I knew not what else to do and hardly knew that
I did this but it accidentally happened that my Rifle was pointed towards the Bear when I pulled
and the ball piercing his heart, he gave one bound from me uttered a deathly howl and fell dead:
but I trembled as if I had an ague fit for half an hour after, we butchered him as he was very fat
packed the meat and skin on our horses and returned to the Fort with the trophies of our bravery,
but I secretly determined in my own mind never to molest another wounded Grizzly Bear in a
marsh or thicket.

Here's one form Ogden that makes you shake your head:
Monday, 26 March. The Indian guide saw a grizzly bear of large size, wh. the trappers fired at and
wounded. The Indian requested the loan of a small axe with bow and arrows. Stripping himself
naked, he rushed on the bear but paid dearly for his rashness. I do not suppose he will recover.
He was injured in the head and lost one eye wh. was literally torn out. The bear remained in the
bushes.

And one more from CHarles Larpenteur:
One fine evening, early in September
[1842], a certain Crow returned from searching for his horses, saying that a Mr. Grizzly was
breakfasting on one of them, and that, as one man was not enough to make the bear let go his
prey, he came for assistance. A bear being considered by Indians a more dangerous enemy than
a man, a good force was raised, and I, wishing to see the fun, volunteered to go with them. We
soon came to the spot, where we saw Bruin lying fast asleep behind the remains of his breakfast.
Knowing that Indians considered it braver to strike an enemy after he had been shot down, than
to shoot him down, I was prepared to be very brave. When we were within 30 steps, one of the
Indians made a little noise, at which the bear awoke and rose up to see who were the intruders. A
volley was fired; the bear dropped dead behind his breastworks, and we all counted coups upon
his carcass with our ramrods, I among the first.

Alfred Jacob Millers' Fontenelle Chased by a Grizzly Bear

Some tough and crazy mountain men...thanks for the stories...keep'em coming.

Ogden's account was about a bear encounter not far from where I live. Another version of it was that one of the white hunters teased the Indian. Said if he weren't such a squaw he would go in after the wounded bear.

At any rate, Indians were known to take chances when they thought their bravery would increase their popularity and rank.

very nice!

Glad I could give you some nightmare fuel for a bear story buddy!

Right? One shot that you hope goes off at times? These guys were tough.

Left...never figured you for a coward....LOL

There's courage and then there's stupidity.

All you had to do is talk them into giving you a running head start, bare arse naked, and run three miles to the river and hide in a beaver lodge! Easy peasy!