Bear Hunting with Hounds | A Lifetime of Adventure and Excitement

Bear hunting with hounds is an exhilarating experience that combines the thrill of the chase with the camaraderie of a pack.

Hunting with hounds can be a family affair, with many families passing down their skills and traditions from generation to generation.

The process typically begins with a hound's keen sense of smell, which can detect a bear's scent from miles away.

A good hound can track a bear for hours, following the scent through dense forests and across rugged terrain.

The thrill of the hunt lies not only in the chase but also in the bond between the hound and its handler.

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Your lodging at Spaulding Lake Outfitters will be a Maine-themed home-cooked meal on Sunday evening, followed by a short itinerary for your week-long bear hunting adventure.

You'll have plenty of options for relaxation, including playing cribbage, dominoes, or cards near the campfire, or watching TV or a movie in the lounge area with a massive stone fireplace.

The lodge is equipped with modern amenities, including a cell phone booster, HughesNet internet, and Dish Network, so you won't miss a thing.

An excellent breakfast will be served each morning with plenty of freshly brewed coffee to get you ready for the day's adventure.

Maine Season Dates are a crucial factor to consider when planning your trip. The Maine Black Bear Hunting over Bait season starts on August 28th and goes until September 23rd, although the exact dates for 2024 are still to be determined.

If you're planning to hunt with hounds, you'll want to know that the Maine Black Bear Hunting with Hounds season runs from September 11th to October 27th, with the exact dates for 2024 also still TBD.

If you're interested in the Combo Bait/Hounds hunt, you'll be able to participate from September 11th to September 16th, and then again from September 18th to September 23rd, with the exact dates for 2024 still to be determined.

Here are the main season dates to keep in mind:

At Spaulding Lake Outfitters, your stay will start with a delicious Maine-themed home-cooked meal on Sunday evening.

You can then relax near the stream around the campfire, on the porch playing board games, or in the lounge area near the enormous stone fireplace watching TV or a movie.

A cell phone booster in the lodge ensures you stay connected to the world, while HughesNet internet and Dish Network keep you entertained.

In the morning, an excellent breakfast is served with plenty of freshly brewed coffee, giving you a great start to your day.

You can enjoy some fishing or try your hand at early season goose hunting, or simply relax until the mid-day meal is served.

Umcolcus Sporting Camps, which owns Spaulding Lake Outfitters, has been in operation since 2018.

You can't just show up at a bear hunt and expect to be successful, you need to have a plan. This involves understanding the behavior of bears and how hounds work.

Hounds are trained to follow a specific scent, which is usually left by the bear's tracks or rubs on trees. They can follow this scent for miles, but it's essential to know when to stop them.

The key to a successful hunt is to be aware of the bear's behavior and adjust your approach accordingly. For example, if you're hunting in an area with a lot of human activity, you may need to use a more subtle approach to avoid spooking the bear.

Hounds can be trained to respond to different commands, such as "whoa" and "tree", which can help you control the hunt and avoid accidents.

For your interest: Hunt Terrier

Bear hunting with hounds is a thrilling experience that requires dedication and hard work. You'll need to start training your hounds from a young age, typically around 6-8 months.

Hounds are bred specifically for this type of hunting, with a strong prey drive and excellent tracking skills. They can run for hours at a time, covering up to 10 miles in a single hunt.

The thrill of the hunt is what draws many people to bear hunting with hounds. You'll need to be prepared for the physical demands of the sport, including long hours on your feet and potential encounters with wildlife.

Hounds are social animals and thrive in packs, which is why they're often used in bear hunting. A well-trained pack can be a valuable asset on a hunt, but it also requires a lot of work and dedication to maintain.

The season for bear hunting with hounds typically runs from October to December, with the peak season being in November. This is when the bears are most active and the hounds are at their best.

A successful hunt requires a combination of skill, patience, and luck. With the right training and equipment, you can increase your chances of success and make the most of your bear hunting experience.

Consider reading: Plott Hound Training

If you're looking for a dog breed that can keep up with the thrill of bear hunting, you're in luck. Several breeds have made a name for themselves in this niche. The Plott is one of the most recognized bear dog breeds, known for its grit and staying power.

These hounds are built for endurance, with some breeds able to go all day without tiring. The Walker hound, for example, is bred for speed and can hunt well alone or with a pack. They're also known for their loving nature, making them a great choice for families.

For those who want a dog that's specifically bred for bear hunting, consider the Karelian Bear Dog. This Finnish breed has been used for centuries to hunt bear and wild boar, and is known for its bravery, loyalty, and tenacious nature.

Here are some key characteristics to look for in a bear dog breed:

Remember, every dog is an individual, so it's essential to research the breed and meet the parents before making a decision. With the right breed and training, you'll be well on your way to a successful bear hunting experience.

If you're looking for the best dog breeds for bear hunting, you'll want to consider breeds with gritty and confident personalities. These breeds have the stamina and tracking skills necessary to take on bears.

Some of the top dog breeds for bear hunting include the Plott, Walker, redtick, bluetick, black and tan, and redbone. These breeds are capable of pursuing bears with ease.

A good bear dog needs to have infinite stamina to keep up with the hunt. These breeds are built for endurance and can track for hours on end.

The best dog breeds for bear hunting are often a mix of other breeds, such as coon and fox hounds. Breeders have developed their own lines of bear dogs with a combination of these breeds.

Here are some key characteristics of the best dog breeds for bear hunting:

Snowy Mountain Dogs is a reputable breeder of Karelian bear dogs, located in Nashville, Tennessee. They specialize in producing high-quality, driven hunting and working dogs for bear, mountain lion, and other big game.

Take a look at this: Montenegrin Mountain Hound

Their breeding program focuses on excellence in working ability, health, pedigree, and breed standards. This attention to detail results in Karelian bear dogs that are regarded as some of the best in North America.

Josh and Faith Troop, the owners of Snowy Mountain Bear Dogs, prioritize the development of well-rounded dogs that excel in both hunting and working roles. Their dogs are bred to be strong, brave, and loyal, making them ideal companions for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.

Here are some key characteristics to look for in a Karelian bear dog from Snowy Mountain Bear Dogs:

If you're considering bringing a Karelian bear dog into your family, be prepared to provide extra time and attention. These dogs require daily exercise and disciplined handling to reach their full potential. With patience and proper training, however, they can become loyal and loving companions that thrive in a variety of roles.

The Plott is a breed of dog that's highly recognized for its exceptional tracking skills and grit. It's no wonder why many houndsmen swear by them for bear hunting.

Grit is a key characteristic of the Plott breed, as Eugene Walker, a 77-year-old houndsman and breeder, puts it: "If you want grit and staying power, you better run with a Plott." This breed is known for its ability to pursue bears with infinite stamina.

If you're looking to get your hands on a Plott, Eugene Walker's Pocahontas Plott Kennels in Hillsboro, West Virginia, is a great place to start. His kennel has been running the same Plott line for over 60 years, producing dogs that are smart, aggressive, fast, and cold-nosed.

Here are some key characteristics of the Plott breed:

The Plott family has a rich history that dates back to the 18th century. Johannes George Plott, a German immigrant, brought Hanoverian hounds to Philadelphia in 1750.

He later moved to North Carolina, where he bought a farm and started a family. Plott managed to keep the dog line pure as he passed it down to family members.

His son, Henry, inherited the dog line in 1780. For the next 200 years, the Plott family continued to breed this line of dogs.

Bob Olson has been hunting with hounds for 20-plus years and has successfully combined the best Plott characteristics with the scent-tracking ability of the redtick hound, producing superb hunting dogs. His dogs are known for being smart, fast, and aggressive on the hunt.

Olson looks for trainability, athleticism, speed, stamina, and grit in his dogs, which are the exact qualities you'll find in his Plott hounds. He's a master at breeding dogs that excel in the field.

Olson's Plott hounds are a cross between pure-bred Plotts and redtick hounds, which gives them an edge in scent-tracking ability. This unique combination makes them top-notch hunting dogs.

If you're looking for a dog that's smart, fast, and aggressive on the hunt, Olson's Plott hounds are definitely worth considering.

Worth a look: Bear Hunting Dogs Breeds

The English Coonhound is a popular breed among bear hunters, known for their strong nose and speed on the track. They're well-suited for tracking and treeing all types of game, including bears.

These dogs have a strong will that helps them in the field, but can also be challenging to train due to their stubbornness. They require more patience than other breeds, and their focus can sometimes make them tune out their handler's commands.

English Coonhounds were originally bred from foxhounds brought to the U.S. by European settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries. They were used to hunt coons at night and fox by day, and were developed over time from dogs brought by notable figures like President George Washington and Robert Brooke.

Here are some key characteristics of the English Coonhound breed:

Redtick English Coonhounds, in particular, are known for their ability to pull their fair share of the load in bear hunting. They're a good-natured and sociable breed, but their strong will can sometimes make training a challenge.

Bear hunting with hounds requires careful breeding and selection of both the bear and the hounds. The goal is to find a balance between the two species that allows for a safe and successful hunt.

Hounds bred for bear hunting typically have a strong prey drive, good nose, and plenty of endurance. They can track a bear for hours, making them an essential part of the hunting process.

The best hounds for bear hunting are often those with a mix of breeds, such as a Plott hound and a Blue Tick hound. This mix provides the necessary strength, speed, and agility to track and chase a bear.

To get started with breeding and selecting your own hunting dogs, you'll need to understand the licensing process. You can obtain a hunting license through the DIFW, which is available online or in-person at a local IF&W office.

Hunting licenses are required for both residents and non-residents of Maine. The cost of a license varies depending on the type of license and the hunter's age.

You can hunt in the North Maine Woods, but be aware that there are specific regulations in place to protect the area's wildlife. These regulations are outlined in the DIFW Hunting Information section.

In order to hunt in the North Maine Woods, you'll need to purchase a permit from the North Maine Woods organization. This permit is in addition to your hunting license.

Here's a quick rundown of the key players involved in licensing:

By understanding the licensing process and the regulations in place, you'll be better equipped to start breeding and selecting your own hunting dogs.

Young dogs can be a handful, and bear dogs are no exception. They're bred to be independent and strong-willed, which can make training a challenge if you don't establish a clear relationship order from the start.

Establishing a relationship order means being clear and consistent in your communication and expectations. You're in charge, not the dog. This is especially important for bear dogs, which can be naturally protective and territorial.

Bear dogs are naturally inclined to track and follow their noses, which can be a great asset in hunting and training. However, this means they need to be socialized to a variety of people and animals from an early age to prevent any surprises later on.

Socialization is critical for bear dogs, which will likely be exposed to many different environments and situations as they grow. Exposing them to new people, animals, and experiences from an early age will help them develop good manners and reduce the risk of behavioral problems.

Here are some key things to keep in mind when training a young bear dog:

Remember, every dog is different, and what works for one bear dog may not work for another. With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you can help your young bear dog develop into a confident and capable hunting companion.

The Karelian Bear Dog has a rich history that dates back to the 1930s. The breed originated from the Lagoda's Karelia, Olonets, and Russian Karelia, where they were used for game hunting.

The breeding process began in 1936 with the goal of creating a sturdy dog that could bark at big game. This was a deliberate effort to develop a specific type of hunting dog.

The breed's name was officially set as the Karelian Bear Dog in 1945. This marked a significant milestone in the breed's development.

The first standard for the breed was established in 1945, providing a clear guideline for breeders. This standard helped to ensure consistency in the breed's characteristics.

The first dogs were registered in 1946, officially recognizing the breed. This was a major step forward for the Karelian Bear Dog.

Take a look at this: Karelian Bear Dog