Who has hunted bear with hounds

[FerretWYO]

Now I know that this topic is not for everyone. I am just curious to hear how it went for those who did it. Also where you hunted(state that is I am not asking for directions to your secret spot).

[Zbearclaw]

I went along on one two years ago with a buddy here in CA.

Awesome experience.  Houndsman and their dogs are awesome.  Seeing them work together is a great experience.  Like a lot of things the end result (dead bear) is only a sliver of the experience.  Chasing a pack of hounds in the mountains will whip anyone.

Everyone should do it, or go along on a hound hunt at least once to appreciate it.  You just can't "get it" unless you see it and experience all that goes into it first hand.

[PV]

Been following the hounds for the last 5 years in VT and NH. Out of the 50+ bear tree's I been at I've only seen one taken. For me it's all about the chase and not the shot. It can get REAL interesting in a heartbeat though....

[Tutanka]

Chasing a bear with hounds is a good time, especially if you like chasing mountain lions.  Bears can travel great distances with the dogs on their heals, this can be a very physically demanding hunt, more so than the lions at times.  I tag along with a friend that hunts them in Idaho, and also chases them in Utah.  You can apply for a chase only license in Utah.

[steadman]

I've been along before. If you think you are in shape, go chase hounds!! Had a ball, bear are more likely to run than tree. I have a friend in CA that does it, and has a great time. Good luck if you do it Randy. Hounds are fun to watch and are an incredible animal.

[treetoppredator]

I've bear hunted with hounds my whole life here in Va. Like it was said above of the 100 or so bears that I've seen up a tree only about 25 were taken.  The bear hunters that I group with are extreme consevationist.  The truly only take the big, old, male bears.  Its fun, great exercise and oh yea, A LOT OF HARD WORK!  If you're thinking of going better get used to walking atleast 5 miles in unforgiving terrain.

[Beanbag]

Put your suspenders on you'll need them Ha!JG

[FerretWYO]

I am no stranger to hounds I have been on a lot of lion trees and have a hound myself. Just have never hunted a bear. Really think I would like to some time though.

[speedbump]

I tagged along with a houndsman here in NH...we did not take any. We treed quite a few. He (the houndsman) is very selective about what he lets hunters take.

[FerretWYO]

Originally posted by speedbump:
I tagged along with a houndsman here in NH...we did not take any. We treed quite a few. He (the houndsman) is very selective about what he lets hunters take.

Any good houndsman is

[BoonRoto]

Sounds like a great experience but it sounds like it will for sure kick your .

[sagebrush]

I did it one year about 25 years ago. Talk about an adrenaline rush. I didn't get one but had a blast chasing them. They can run much farther than a cat. And a big boar will often times turn around and start killing the dogs. Gary

[nc recurveman]

I grew up doing it, its alot of fun I think. I would recommend anyone trying once.

[Jim Boettcher]

My ex Father-in-law was an outstanding houndsman. At the time, I was a hard charging Marine in good shape; or so I thought. Everyday I was dragging my tail off those West Virginia mountains. I hunted a couple of years with him, and took one bear. But each chase was just as exciting.

[Stickbow]

One of the toughest days I ever spent in the hills was chasing a pack of hounds running a bear.

Though todays GPS collars has taken some of the thrill away.......... IMO.

[Kenneth]

I grew up chasing a pack of hounds after bears in WV.  You'd be surprised how far a big ol' bear can run!  It's definitely not for the faint of heart.  Usually the smaller bears will tree in a mile or two but I've seen big boars cross into the next county, stop long enough to kill a few dogs and keep on going without ever treeing.

[bgbuck153]

I did it about 7 years ago and it was a BLAST ! Hunting bears with hounds was what got me into traditional archery . The thought of using a gun or even a compound on a treed animal didn't appeal to me so , I took up hunting with a longbow for the challenge .

[Shane H]

Here in california it is illegal to use gps. WE can only use telemetry. I never had the desire to do it until about 4 years ago. One trip and I was hooked. I love everything about the dogs and at the end of the trail, one of the neatest(and tastiest) critters out there. I will also note, Ive heard about the bears treed next to the road, but mine have all been 3-6 hour pack jobs. I guess its like anything,

The reward is directly related to the effort!