Hunting for Black Bears with Hounds: Tips and Techniques

Why Hound Hunting for Black Bears Is Unique

Hunting black bears with hounds is one of the most thrilling and time-honored methods in North American hunting. It’s a pursuit that relies on teamwork between hunter and dog—combining keen noses, endurance, and strategy. Unlike spot-and-stalk or baited hunts, hound hunting immerses you in the chase, demanding patience, precision, and a deep respect for both the quarry and the dogs.

This method is not about a quick kill—it’s about reading terrain, interpreting dog behavior, and making ethical decisions once the bear is treed or bayed. Done responsibly, hound hunting supports effective bear management, ensures selective harvest, and maintains strong conservation traditions.

1. Understanding Black Bear Behavior

To hunt bears effectively with hounds, you must first understand how bears move and react.

• Home Range: Black bears typically roam large areas—males can range 10–25 square miles or more.

• Habitat: Look for mixed forests with dense cover, berry patches, oak ridges, and nearby water sources.

• Daily Movement: Bears are most active at dawn and dusk but will move throughout the day when pressured by hounds.

• Response to Pressure: A bear’s reaction to pursuit depends on temperament, age, and terrain—some tree quickly, while others may run long distances or circle back.

Knowing these traits helps you anticipate the chase and position yourself strategically once the dogs strike a track.

2. Selecting and Training Hounds

Breeds That Excel at Bear Hunting

Common bear hound breeds include:

• Treeing Walker Coonhounds – Fast, intelligent, and excellent treeing instinct.

• Plott Hounds – Known for grit, stamina, and courage in tough chases.

• Blueticks and Redbones – Great noses and steady trackers.

• Black and Tan Coonhounds – Reliable trail followers with strong endurance.

Many hunters maintain a mixed pack to balance traits—speed, nose, voice, and determination.

Training Fundamentals

• Start with Obedience: Every hound must respond to recall, stay, and tone commands.

• Introduce Scent Early: Begin scent training with bear scent drags, hides, or older dogs leading the way.

• Build Endurance Gradually: Conditioning is critical—long runs, varied terrain, and exposure to different cover types prepare hounds for real hunts.

• Treeing Practice: Encourage treeing instinct with caged drags or controlled scenarios before live chases.

A well-trained bear hound is focused, obedient, and confident—able to pursue aggressively but stop on command when needed.

3. Preparing for the Hunt

Permits and Regulations

Bear hound hunting is heavily regulated, with specific seasons, tag requirements, and zones that vary by state or province.

• Always confirm legal hound use, group size limits, and chase regulations.

• Some jurisdictions allow training seasons separate from harvest seasons.

• Radio telemetry and GPS tracking collars are typically required for ethical and safety reasons.

Gear Essentials

• GPS tracking system (Garmin or Dogtra) for monitoring hound positions and movement.

• Truck or ATV with dog boxes for transport and ventilation.

• Protective vests and cut collars for hounds in rough country.

• Firearm or bow—usually carried unloaded until the bear is treed and identified.

• First aid kits for both dogs and hunters.

4. The Chase: Reading and Managing the Hunt

Striking a Track

• Start early—bears move heavily overnight.

• Check roads, trails, or logging cuts for fresh tracks or droppings.

• Turn out dogs on the freshest sign—older tracks are harder to run, especially in warm or dry conditions.

During the Pursuit

• Stay in communication with other hunters through radios or handheld GPS units.

• Follow terrain patterns—bears often circle drainages, ridgelines, or river bottoms.

• Listen for the pack’s tone and cadence:

  • Steady bawling means a cold trail.

  • Rapid chopping indicates a hot track or a treed bear.

Treeing or Baying

When the bear trees or bays up on the ground:

• Approach quietly to avoid spooking the bear into running again.

• Assess the situation—ensure all dogs are accounted for and under control.

• Identify the bear’s size and confirm legality before deciding to harvest.

5. Safety and Ethical Considerations

Safety for Dogs and Hunters

• Never rush in recklessly—bears can fight fiercely when cornered.

• Keep a clear line of sight and communicate with all team members before taking a shot.

• Always secure hounds before approaching a downed bear.

Ethical Practices

• Take only mature bears; avoid sows with cubs.

• Use the chase as an opportunity to study and photograph wildlife, not just for harvest.

• Respect landowner permissions and local residents—hound hunting can be noisy and visible.

Ethical hound hunters maintain the tradition’s integrity by prioritizing respect for the animal and the dogs.

6. Post-Hunt Dog Care

After a long chase, proper recovery is vital:

• Cool hounds gradually with water and rest—avoid immediate feeding.

• Check for injuries: Pads, ears, and legs often take the most punishment.

• Hydrate and recondition before the next hunt.

• Keep up-to-date on vaccinations and deworming schedules for the entire pack.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Turning out on cold tracks: Wastes time and exhausts dogs early.

• Poor communication with the team: Leads to confusion and lost dogs.

• Overhandling inexperienced hounds: Give them space to learn while ensuring safety.

• Shooting hastily: Always verify the bear’s position and that all dogs are clear.

• Neglecting recovery: Fatigued or injured hounds need rest and care post-hunt.

8. Quick Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many hounds should I use for bear hunting?
A: Most hunters use 4–6 well-trained dogs, balancing speed, nose, and stamina. More isn’t always better—control is key.

Q: How long can a bear chase last?
A: Depending on terrain and bear behavior, anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours. Conditioning your hounds is critical.

Q: Is hound hunting ethical?
A: When done responsibly—using selective harvest, minimizing stress, and ensuring dog welfare—it’s one of the most sustainable and humane bear management methods.

Q: What happens if the bear doesn’t tree?
A: Some bears bay on the ground or escape into dense cover. In these cases, pull dogs out carefully and avoid unnecessary risk.

Final Thoughts

Hunting black bears with hounds is as much about the chase as the harvest. It’s a demanding discipline that tests your understanding of wildlife, your partnership with dogs, and your patience as a hunter.

When practiced ethically, it remains a cornerstone of fair-chase hunting and responsible wildlife management. Train your hounds well, hunt within your limits, and always put the safety of your dogs and the respect for the animal first.

To connect with outfitters who specialize in guided hound hunts and to plan your next adventure, visit Find A Hunt.