Two and three-eighths inches

It doesn't sound like much, but on the end of a bear paw that's hauling across your back it could do some damage.

My brother has a cottage on The French River in Ontario, down stream from Hartley Bay, boat access only. His friend, John Green, was born on the river and has lived there all his life.

Some years ago, John noticed a dead bear floating down the river, so he jumped in his boat and caught up with it. He roped and floated it twenty minutes down the river to my brothers place, for help hauling it out. For John, an Algonquin Indian, it was important to keep certain bits ... like teeth and claws. Bear amulets are handy for courage and protection. They apparently also stimulate mothering instincts (!!!).

So, they hauled the dead bear out of the water. I'll spare you the details between the point the bear was landed to when the paws and jaw came to the boil in a vat of river water over a fire on the beach. Messy business, loosening teeth and claws.

For his trouble, John gave my brother four claws. My brother put one on a string and gave it to Fred when we were there a few summers ago. Fred turned into a bit of a wild thing when he wore it. John Green encouraged him.