Tenn Bear Hunt ???

[ThomastaylorIII]

First off, i have no intrest in hearing anyone's personal thoughts on hunting with dogs. I grew up hunting deer and hogs with dogs and anyone who says it isn't a exiciting and challenging hunt either hasnt been on one or got really lucky/had a bad expirence.

Sooo, that said, I am going for the oct/nov bear season and wondered if anyone has hunted bear with hounds in Tenn or North Carolina?

Gear recomendations?

The guy i am going with grew up hunting bears and is a flyfishing guide in Tenn. He normally tree's 15-30 bears a year and has killed numerous black bears over 500lbs, but he has never taken or been around anyone who has taken one with a bow (much less a recurve.) So i figured some of you guys have done this and would have some good advice pertaining to this trip...

Gonna be a fun year, deer and hogs here in bama staring in oct, elk in oregon in december, and black bear in tenn!!!!

[GreenJeans]

Sounds like a good trip.  You already overcome the number one obstacle and that is finding someone to take you that has dogs.  Are you going to hunt the North or South Cherokee?  Most of the bears treed that I have walked in on are either in large timber (steep shot angle and long distance for archery equipment) or bayed on the ground in "laurel hells" (extremely thick and in your face action).  Hope to see you this season.  Out of all the bear hunters I have checked over the years you would be the first one I have ever met toting a bow.  Keep us posted.

[ThomastaylorIII]

I have no doubt its gonna be challanging. and as to where im hunting, it depends on where he is finding good sign, so it could be either of those or possibly in NC. I am exicited and hoping for a great trip.


By the way, i love your signature, and agree completely

[Izzy]

Sounds like a hoot to me. Ive killed them over bait and by chance while deer hunting but would really love to hunt them over dogs. Good luck and post pics if you tree one.

[John3]

I hunted bears with dogs in both TN and North Carolina...  Be ready to hump and then hump the mountains some more after the dogs...
I hope your buddy has radio tracking collars. You will need them because the dogs will out distance you in a heartbeat.

Wear clothes you can "move" in with proper boots.
Make sure you have a quiver that you can tuck behind your back to get through the laural thickets and most importantly carry enough water. I humped close to 40 miles in a week chasing bears down there.. BIG TIME FUN...
On the side of one mountain resting with the dogs and my guide..
 

When treed make sure you "stalk" the tree from behind cover.. The bears can and will dive out no matter the height when they see you coming up near the tree...

Good luck and let us know..

John III

[ThomastaylorIII]

I will have pics of the hunt for sure, and possible video