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	Delta National Forest 20380 Hwy 61 Rolling Fork MS 39159 662-873-6256

October 19, 2002

Rolling Fork, Mississippi

Theodore Roosevelt Collection, Harvard College Library

During October 2002, Delta National Forest in Sharkey County, Mississippi joined the community of Rolling Fork in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt's famous 1902 "bear hunt". The hunt inspired the creation of America's favorite toy, the "teddy bear".

Holt Collier was born in Jefferson County, Mississippi in 1846. An ex-slave and Confederate scout, he also achieved great distinction as a bear hunter. Holt and his famous pack of hounds were well known by sportsmen throughout the South. When the bear hunt for President Roosevelt was planned it was quite natural that Holt was chosen to lead the chase.

photo courtesy of Bo Sloan, USDA Wildlife Services, Stoneville, MS

The event raised public awareness regarding the decline of the endangered black bear in Mississippi while building support for the species potential reintroduction to the area. For more information on the Louisiana Black Bear visit www.bbcc.org