Clark: February 17, 1806

Monday February 17th 1806 Collins and Windser were permited to hunt to day
towards the praries in point Adams with a view to obtain Some fresh meat
for the Sick. a little before noon Shannon and Labiesh & frazier Came
with the flesh and hide of an Elk which had been wounded by Serjt. Gasses
party and took the water where they pursued it and cought it. they did not
See Sergt. Gass or any of his party or learn what further Sucksess they
have had. Continu the barks with Bratten, and Commenced them with gibson
his feaver being Sufficiently low this morning to permit the use of them.
I think therefore that there is no further danger of his recovery.-at
2 P.M. Joseph Field arrived from the Salt works and informd us that they
had about 2 Kegs of Salt on hand (say 3 bushels) which with what we have
at this place we suppose will be Sufficient to last us to our deposit of
that article on the Missouri. we directed a party of Six men to go in the
morning in order to bring the salt and Kittles to the Fort. at 4 P.M.
Serjt. Gass and party arrive; they had killed 8 Elk. Drewyer and
Whitehouse also return late in the evening, they had killed one Elk, part
of the meat of which they brought in with them.

The Brown, White, or Grizly Bear are found in the rocky mountains in the
timbered part of it or Westerly Side but rarely; they are more Common
below or on the East Side of the Rocky Mountains on the borders of the
plains where there are Copses of bushes and underwood near the water
cources. they are by no means as plenty on this Side of the Rocky
Mountains as on the other, nor do I believe they are found at all in the
woody country which borders this coast as far in the interior as the range
of mountains which pass the Columbia between the enterance of Clarks and
the Quick sand Rivers or below the Great falls of Columbia.

The Black Bear differs not any from those Common to the U. States, and are
found under the Rocky Mountains in the woody country on the borders of the
Great Plain’s of Columbia and also in this tract of woody country which
lie between these plains and the Pacific Ocian. their econimy and habits
are also the Same with those of the United States.-.