Progressive Era: 1890–1920s: Progressive Political Reform
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Or view larger version. Return from the Bear Hunt. 1882. William Hahn. Oil paint on canvas. Collection of Oakland Museum of California. Kahn Collection.
This painting depicts a hunting party returning from a bear hunt. In the 1880s the killing of grizzly bears was a utilitarian endeavor and considered to be a dangerous but exciting necessity. Conversely, preservationists, such as John Muir, referred to hunting as the murder business. The last killing of a California grizzly bear took place in 1922. two years later the last grizzly bear ever to been seen in California was spotted in Sequoia National Park.