Old California lion hunter

[Dan V]

Anyone know any information about some old lion hunters from California named Orissio? I know they also did some govt hunting/study work for lions after they out-lawed lion hunting.

They were father and son named George and Richard Orissio from the Bakersfield area. I might have the spelling of their last name a little off.

[razorrb]

Jay Bruce killed 668 lions in that state. He was a real lion hunter back then. Sen me your email and I will email you an article about him.

[Mike Leonard]

Old Jay was the first State hunter and
Steven Matthes was the last. A lot of changes took place in the Golden State over those years but I have a wonderful photo of old Jay passing the torch to Steve.

Many think that was a record number of lions killed by Bruce but in fact it has been eclipsed many times by another legendary family of hunters, and yes each lion was documented. The family wishes for this to remain quiet until the book comes out but it was not the Goswicks of Arizona. Although Giles Goswick took more lions , which were documented by the state of Arizona than all the Lee Brothers combined.

George Orrisio did most of his hunting in the rugged and dry Tehachipi area and that is some nasty stuff.


Lots of old time great hound guys from California, Let me start a list and you add to it.

1. Gus Landergon
2. Steve Matthes
3. Ray Nelson
4.Roy Rogers

[Dan V]

Razorrb,
Thanks for the offer, but I have Jay Bruce's book. It is a really good read.

I was looking for info on George and Richard Orissio. A friend of mine has some dogs that are related to theirs, several generations back. Just curious if any of their dogs were still around.

[Mike Leonard]

Let me add a couple more to that list.

And yes the Roy Rogers was the King Of the Cowboys Actor /singer. At one time he owned over 50 hounds.

5. Stuar Hamblin another legend in Wester and Gospel music who also made a bid for the Whitehouse at one time.
6. Alfalfa Romaine ( Yes the Alfalfa of Little Rascals fame).
7. Al Lynn One of the most influential hound breeders of all times.
8. Charlie Tant A Ben Lilly of hunter type who developed a tremendous strain of walkers.


There are some today that are still active but I will not mention them they will have to wait till they retire or croak. LOL!

[razorrb]

LOL! Good one mike. I was thinking today how these men got thier dogs going ya know. Like who they bought from and sutff like that. I assume that most of them line bred and such to keep good traits around but ya gotta wonder what was running through thier minds. It would have been cool to sit and pick thier brains about lions.

[Everlast]

Sorry I stumbled on this post late.........But Richard Orissio lives near me. I think I've only met him once very informally. Used to see Ray Nelson at the Arroyo Grande trader days on the central Ca. coast regularly.