Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 May 1888 — FUR HUNTERS. [ARTICLE]

FUR HUNTERS.

Cow-Boy* Who Capture the Otter by Novel Means. L' ■ : I . San Francisco Poet T , r Owing to the falling of tbe lakes of Upper and Lower Klamath the otter is. perhaps, more visibly plentiful now than it has been for several years past, and a curious circumstance connected -with the otter is its migration from one lake to another over mountainous country. Lower Klamath Lake, which extends far into California, is yecrly losing water, and it is feared that sooner or later the Lower Klamath will run dry. It may be that this apprehension is also shared by the otter, for he is continually making overland journeys from Lower Klamath Lake to Tule Lake. About two weeks ago a magnificent otter was killed by some cow-bovs with their “lass ropes” fully a mile away from any water. The cow-boys declare that the proper way to iMpture" an otter without hurting his skin is for the hunter to pnt on a huge pair of loose-fitting high boots, stuff the foot and, legs with gravel and th»n wade the stream. The otter is a pugilistic creature and no sooner does he see a strange pair of legs in the water than he will make a dash for them, seize a leg with his teeth, and will only loosen his hold with death. Though Lost River, in Klamath county, would yield a prolific otter-fur harvest to the hunter by this method, I never saw a cow-boy daring eno ugh to make the venture; yet I was often present when they were attempting to induce an unwary stranger <o make the attempt. Thebeawers, whose deserted jroteand damscan be seenalong Lost River, are yet plentiful, but they do not stand in high repute with the cow-boy other than as a target for pistol-practice. The prices that the furriers offer for good otter (and beaver, however, are rediculously low compared to the value that they afterward piaca upon a dressed hide, large-sized otters only fetching $5.50 to $6, and beaver from $6.50 to 8, and the same price is paid for an Alaskan beaver as for one from Oregon. The fur of the otter in tbe winter months is indeed handsome, dark and glossy, with a eloie, smooth netting,and when properly dressed and plucked, makes pretty tippets, muffs and cuffs. It is not uncommon to see cow-boys in that northern country with chap arejos made from otter and beaver fur. The cow-boy, however, is not a good furrier, and relegates that task to the Indians. The Indians have, however, a good notion of-charges and will not undertake to cure askin under $2, no matter how small it mav be.

Bear in that part of the world are numerous, and especially so in autumn, when the plum-trees are laden with their purple fruit. Terrible tales are ever afloat of the havoc done by bruin among the cattle. It seems that since mules have been introduced into the country the bears have diverted their attention to them instead of the cattle even preferring mule-meat to horseflesh. So destructive are these animals that the great ranches of Dorris, Fair, child; Doutenand Boise offer sl2 for bear and S2O for panther. So attractive was this reward that every year cowboys possessing anything in the shape hunters. Bear skins are valuable to the furrier for the making up of robes either for use or ornament. For the lynx or panther, so destructive toyoung stock, the price offered for the fur is low—s 3to $4. Tne panther Is an extraordinarily bold animal, and will lafcl tack mulesand colts in the home corrals dose by the house aad barns. He is, however, an eaay animal to kill, as winter d«nrbedi>ya doghe ww make his way up a tree and there snarl and spit and can easily be shot.