Why did Cole tuck the tuft of hair he'd pulled from the Spirit Bear's neck into his pocket? Chapter Eight

Cole wanted to keep the tuft of hair as a trophy, proof that he had fought the bear... if he survived.

Instead he worked his hand to his side and stuffed the hair in his pants pocket. If he lived through this, he would have something to brag about. He could prove he had fought a bear. The hair gave Cole a sense of power. No bear would willingly give up a big clump of hair.