Module 1 • Explore: A Place to Call Your Own
Teacher Notes 1-4c
When possible, hunted bears always seek safety at the top of a steep iceberg, where the dogs cannot
follow them. Even though the iceberg has vertical, slippery surfaces, bears can get a hold with their
sharp claws. I have only once seen a bear lose its footing, near the top; in falling it broke a hind
thigh, and yet was able to smash a hole in the ice and seek refuge under the iceberg.
It was essential that we should catch up with the bear as quickly as possible, while it was still on the
level field ice.
At the moment of reaching the tracks the dogs paused and, trembling in every limb, sucked in
the smell of the prey as if to determine which side to run. Their red tongues protruded from their
foaming jaws, and their nostrils were wide open to the wind. Now Qolutanguaq’s dogs lost their
heads from sheer excitement; they were flurried, and before he could prevent it they were following
the track in the wrong direction.
Hungry dogs become wild beasts at the moment they smell bear. The old wolf instinct wakens in
them; they throw off all discipline and no longer hear their drivers’ shouts. So here: all 12 dogs flung
themselves into the nearest ice packs, and soon they lay in one large heaving mass, kicking out in
confusion, the traces hopelessly entangled in the clumps of ice.
I was malicious enough to laugh at this accident; for I was now sure of so much lead that this bear
hunt could be all mine. And that was just what I wanted. All hunters are children in the sight of big
game, and every bear hunt is a challenge between drivers. The aim is to be the first on the trail and
the first to shoot. And now this was to be my bear. I whistled my bear’s signal through my teeth,
and the sledge was slung right into the air as 12 hungry and desperate dogs gave chase to their old
mortal foe.
A fleeing bear tries to put as many obstacles as possible in the way of its pursuers. For choice it
makes for the edge of the ice, where it flings itself into the water with the agility of a marine animal
returning to its elements. But if this is too far it may be content with impassable pack ice, where
sledge and dogs will stick fast. Fortunately, however, the dogs are faster and more agile, and what is
even more important, have more stamina. And so as a rule it is overtaken.
The first thing I had to do now was to loose four of my best dogs. And that was not easy at the whirling
speed I was now making over the rough ice. I had my work cut out to ensure that I was not flung
off the sledge. While having nothing to hold on to, I grasped the front leash which gathered the
traces of all the dogs in a large knot of infiltrated reins and began to haul in the team, which was
now running at a speed of some 20 miles an hour. I had my knife crosswise in my mouth, and as soon
as I could reach the dog I wanted to release, I let go the traces with my right hand, snatched the
knife from my mouth, and cut the trace. The released dog at once flew ahead, a bunch of liberated
muscles visible for only a few short minutes before disappearing, whirled away by its own passion.
I imagine that the most thrilling situation in the life of any bear hunter is when he balances right out
on the ends of the sledge crossbars, holding all his wild leaders in his left hand while with his right
he swiftly cuts the traces. If you are thrown off you cannot help but fall in front of the sharp runners,
and no shouting in the world can stop dogs that have smelt bear.
One, two, three, four quick slashes and the knife was back in my mouth again as with both hands I
once more let out the traces to their full length. The best dogs were now the advance pursuers, and
even though they would not be able to stop an old bear entirely they would delay it enough for the
rest of us to overtake it soon.
Bear dogs have their own tactics; they bury their teeth in Bruin’s hindquarters. This may not hurt very
much, but the bear finds the joke undignified and, sitting down on the part attacked, whisks the
impudent insulters off with his broad forepaws. Meanwhile the hunter gets nearer.
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© NOMADS Online Classroom Expeditions GoNorth! Greenland 2010 Curriculum 103
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