Artful Otters

Most exotic of British sports is otter hunting with a specially trained pack of hounds. Streamlined as a small seal, the otter is fast as a dog on land, much faster in water. In the U. S., otter hunting has never become a formalized sport. If it did, it would probably be acclimatized into something different, as was indicated last week at Manhattan's Fourth Annual National Sportsmen's Show. There Emil Liers, Minnesota trapper, proudly exhibited his pack of twelve otters, only ones ever bred, raised and trained in captivity. He has taught them to do practically anything otter-hunting dogs can do. The heavy (average: 24 Ibs.), healthy animals perform tricks, follow a scent, retrieve pheasants and ducks with the speed of a prize cocker spaniel. As playful as "Saki's" Laura, who turned into an otter to plague a friend's husband, they are quick to learn, eager to please.

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