"Cougar Pete" Peterson

[sebek556]

said it would be mounted by the government wonder if it on display some where?

[Arteman]

Yeah cool story, thanks guys for sharing never heard that before.  That would be something to track a bear that far, especially back then without the tech collars now days for hounds.  That would be a sight also to see dogs baying a grizzly.  Wonder if any been killed since then in this state, never looked into it.

[C-Money]

That is a great story!! That guy has guts!!

[McComak]

I am the Great Great Grandson of "Cougar" Pete Petersen.  His daughter is still alive and she was upset because she says he never drank whisky.  It is true he shot the largest Grizzly Bear in North America, and it's hide has been donated to the Smithsonian museum in Washington DC.  He wrote the hunters pamphlet, "Taking an Outlaw Grizzly."  He was an avid gun smith which was a skill he gained as a gunner in the Danish Navy where he served on the Royal Ship for the crowned prince of Denmark.  There are claims he invented the peep sight for firearms, yet since he was such a sincere and friendly person and not intent on living in luxury he never brought about litigation to prove it was his invention.  He had a workshop on his property where he would go to get away from time to time and the workshop had a sign on it that said "Keep Away TB Patient" because he didn't want to bothered.    He lived in a cabin in the woods and ate bear grease with nearly every meal.  He had children late in life and lived into his 90s.  As a child I was told he took Theodore Roosevelt hunting for bears as a guide.  He was even able to capture a live cougar that was given to the Seattle Zoo.  I am glad to read this post, and joined this group just to talk about him.  I have access to photos of him on his mount with his dogs ready to go on a hunt and other really neat photos that I can add.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Welcome McComak 

I am sure that even though this is an old thread, there are a bunch still here that would enjoy reading stories and seeing any pictures you would be willing to share.

[Timberstalker]

Good stuff. 

[Rainier10]

  Welcome to the site.  Looking forward to seeing some old photos and hopefully a story or two.

[Gringo31]

I love this site 

[Boss .300 winmag]

Cool story. 

[idaho guy]

Awesome story, hopefully you guys can post more. Cougar Pete sounds like a one of a kind gritty outdoorsman but I am most impressed with the dogs he had. To be able to bay up a huge grizzly bear with only 3 dogs is a feat and those must have been some gritty dogs! Its hard to do that with a tiny black bear in Idaho with only 3 dogs. Anyone have pictures of his hounds or know anything about the breed etc? Thanks for posting

[Skyvalhunter]

Welcome McComak looking forward to more stories and photos

[Jpmiller]

I would like more stories

[DOUBLELUNG]

Awesome story, hopefully you guys can post more. Cougar Pete sounds like a one of a kind gritty outdoorsman but I am most impressed with the dogs he had. To be able to bay up a huge grizzly bear with only 3 dogs is a feat and those must have been some gritty dogs! Its hard to do that with a tiny black bear in Idaho with only 3 dogs. Anyone have pictures of his hounds or know anything about the breed etc? Thanks for posting

I got luckier with a keyword search than expected, and found a photo and some text from a 1913 book by Robert Manning Palmer, All About Airedales.  I'm betting he used the Airedales to hunt the griz, there was another story in there about his three Airedales grabbing an unrestrained cougar in North Bend that he finished off with a Mauser pistol.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Text from the book

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

This is so cool!  My Old Man and his Cousins hunted that Ruby Creek area. Mid to late 60's to early 70's. I never heard this name till now but sure they did.