"Cougar Pete" Peterson

[pacyew]

Cougar Pete was a Forest Ranger for Mt. Baker - Snoqualmie NF and an avid hunter and houndsman in the early 1900's.

I've only spoken with one person that knew him. Hazel was a little girl growing up in N. Bend back in the '20's. When I brought up his name, she exclaimed "Cougar Pete!  Sure, I remember him well! Yes, whenever he came to visit us he always insisted in bringing his dogs in the house, and he always smelled like whiskey!"

[boneaddict]

Awesome.  Any idea if thats a Washington bear from back in the day?

[pacyew]

I just don't know, but look forward to learning more about this early Snoqualmie outdoorsman.

[boneaddict]

Here you go Jay

Methow Valley Journal

Vol. 12 No. 09  September 20, 1923 Thursday

 Only Grizzly Bear Ever Killed in the State


It now develops that the big grizzly bear killed by Government Hunter Pete Peterson is the only true grizzly bear ever killed in Washington.

There have been many big bears killed that were supposed to be grizzly, but the true grizzly has a peculiar ridge of bone on the skull that distinctly marks him.

The following is an account of the bear’s depredations in the range above Winthrop.

Cattle have been killed in the Yellow Jacket and Goat Creek and Lost River Ranges which were attributed to cougars and common bears, until one night range boss W.R. Flourney heard a commotion and bellowing of a cow in distress. He got up to investigate, and in the moonlight saw an enormous bear hugging a full grown cow and eating her alive. Mr. Flourney was armed with only a revolver, but opened fire, driving the bear away. He then killed the cow which the bear had made a meal off of her shoulders and neck.

Mr. Flourney notified the cattlemen, and through Hon. E.F. Banker, the government hunter, Peterson, and three bear dogs were obtained to run down the killer.

In the meantime the sheep camps were raided and the sheep scattered over the mountains and the herders were in a state of panic.

Upon his arrival Mr. Peterson took up the trail with the dogs, tracking him for two weeks, finding dead cattle and sheep in his wake. At last the spoor crossed the divide at Holman pass into Watcom county. At the headwaters of Ruby Creek in an almost inaccessible place the dogs succeeded in surrounding the grizzly. Mr. Peterson cautiously advanced but could see nothing on account of the thick underbrush. All at once the bear broke through the brush about thirty feet in front of Mr. Peterson. It was in an ugly temper and immediately charged the hunter. Mr. Peterson is an expert shot and pumped three bullets into the grizzly before bringing him down almost at his feet.

Mr. Peterson was well aware of his danger when the dogs surrounded the bear, for the first thing he did was to take the bridle off his horse so if anything happened to him the horse would return and searchers would start out.

The bear stood four feet seven inches to the top of his shoulder when on all four feet and weighed 1,340 pounds. The hide was more than a strong man could lift. The bear in getting away from the dogs had snagged himself, as a big splinter had torn a four-inch hole in his hide with the wood still in the wound.

The hide and bones were packed out and will be mounted by the government.

Eleven cattle are known to have been slaughtered by the killer; but the number of sheep is not known.

 

[Ray]

he always insisted in bringing his dogs in the house, and he always smelled like whiskey!"

 

Cool. I love reading about old timers like that.

[sisu]

That is a great story.

[bowhuntin]

 I agree that is a great story, got any other stories or old pictures laying around?

[goodfinn]

 I remember when I was a kid..cougar came over in His old panel truck to pick my brother and I  up to go to a field trial for coon hounds. Approx 2 miles away at horse shoe lake..back then 60 miles an hour was pretty fast when your young on a 35 mph road...lol . When we arrived he knew how to part also..backup tell he hit something with motor racing! Dad wasn't to happy about that one!

[Special T]

cool story! 

[blindpig]

crazy big bear.  Dang! 

[pianoman9701]

Awesome.  Any idea if thats a Washington bear from back in the day?

says grizzly on the pic.

[heavy hauler]

ya it says grizz, not washington. i think thats what bone was asking. i love those old pics and the old time stories

[smittyJ]

Check out Cougar Pete Peterson on Facebook, intersestng character!

[Huntbear]

Very cool, love these old stories about outdoorsman and their adventures.   That bear would make most men chit themselves, coming out of the brush.. 

[goodfinn]

 Another story about cougar Pete. My Dad and brother and I were at my great uncle's place (cougar Martin) Pete stopped by to say hi and visit. We were all out in the pasture talking and cougar come's thought the gate and Martin say's to Pete!! Watch out for that bull cougar he horn yah!! Pete replayed..I'll take that old bull by the horns and throw him to the ground!! As cougar Pete comes to us to say hi with  his shot gun he always carried over his shoulder. That was about 1968.
   More stories to come!!

   Wild Bill