Coppa Hembo was a fascinating historical figure. Born of a Maidu father and Washoe mother he would rise to become the primary Huuk (Chief ) for nearly 50 years over the Hill Nisenan band of the Southern Maidu, with authority over the Maidu and Washoe people living on the Divide between the forks of the Natoman (American) River. As a young man he had been attacked by a grizzly bear which he managed to kill, permanently disfigured by the mauling he was given the name Coppa Hembo (Grizzly Bear Killer). He would lead his people in battles against slave raiders but managed to keep his people out of both the First and Second Indian Wars of El Dorado County continuing to live in peace with the horde of invading miners. Coppa Hembo's leadership included arranging for his people to be vaccinated against small pox in 1852. His reputation for wisdom and impartiality found him serving as both a judge and keeper of the peace for both Indians and non-Indians. A staunch proponent of education he arranged to help the local school system during conflicts arising from the American Civil War. He would guide his people into full integration into the American society thus saving them from being rounded up and herded onto reservations. His is not a story of tragedy but instead one of triumph for a true American Hero.

The history of the West from the Natives perspective and the world wide forces affecting them are rarely found in our history books. For the tribes in the West the history before the 1840’s is poorly understood and when taken out of context seems to make no sense to the casual reader. In particular the history of the Natives in Northern California seems to be completely overlooked. These people had a turbulent history prior to the Gold Rush of 1849 and while run over in the flood of immigration their history continued . This fascinating part of our Nation’s history and the context in which it occurred is the heart of this work.

Hunting in California doesnt get much attention. With thick brush in hot temperatures, many hunters and writers pick easier states. However as other states have hunts requiring ten or more years worth of preference points to draw a tag, Californias over the counter two bucks a year, begins to look better. We have huge Boone and Crocket black bears. The wild hogs are open year round no limit. Its hunting you can do, but you need to use different methods and different tools. Here are some exciting hunts and useful information you just wont get anywhere else. We have gone all out to make some of Californias wildlife problems easier to understand in a fun and humorous book. The hunting here in California can be some of the most intense and challenging in the West. When you do get a trophy here it means more.