Bear Dogs - East vs West
Bear Hunting Magazine|January - February 2021
The term “bear dog” means something different to every houndsman.
Clay Newcomb 
Bear Dogs - East vs West

It seems simple, but the definition isn’t clear-cut. It’s often an issue of preference and style. However, the specific tools needed by a bear dog differ by region. Topography, forest type, hunting pressure, and the population dynamics of bears all effect what skills are the limiting factors to consistently catch bruins. Ultimately, that’s what we’re identifying – the limiting factors of hounds catching a bear in the different regions. Another way to say it is, “If a hound doesn’t have enough of (insert trait here), then it won’t catch bears consistently here.”

However, foundational traits of any bear dog remain consistent. Most houndsmen agree that any bear dog worth his salt has got to have loads of desire, a good nose, and the stickto-it-ness to stay with tough bruins whether they’re runners or fighters. Though the differences may be nuanced, let’s explore the differences and limiting factors of hounds in the East and West. We interviewed two houndsman, one from Maine and the other from Idaho, to hear what they look for in a bonafide bear dog.

Bear Dogs in Northern Maine

Denne historien er fra January - February 2021-utgaven av Bear Hunting Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra January - February 2021-utgaven av Bear Hunting Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA BEAR HUNTING MAGAZINESe alt
THE END OF 2020, CHALLENGES COMING IN 2021
Bear Hunting Magazine

THE END OF 2020, CHALLENGES COMING IN 2021

SOMETHINGS EVERY SPORTSMAN OUGHT TO KNOW ABOUT. STAY ENGAGED!

time-read
7 mins  |
January - February 2021
SPRING HUNTING IN MAINE
Bear Hunting Magazine

SPRING HUNTING IN MAINE

In 1982 Maine closed its spring season, but you can still spring hunt with an outfitter on some tribal lands.

time-read
3 mins  |
January - February 2021
Bear Hunting Magazine

Bears & Gobblers

SPRING BEAR & TURKEY IN MONTANA

time-read
9 mins  |
January - February 2021
Western Bear Hunting
Bear Hunting Magazine

Western Bear Hunting

Picking the right outfitter - Picking the right outfitter can make or break your experience.

time-read
6 mins  |
January - February 2021
Three Phases of the Spring
Bear Hunting Magazine

Three Phases of the Spring

Understanding the Pros & Cons in the Timing of Spring Bear Hunting

time-read
8 mins  |
January - February 2021
Extreme Utility
Bear Hunting Magazine

Extreme Utility

Jeff Senger kills for a living.

time-read
7 mins  |
January - February 2021
Canning - Bear Meat
Bear Hunting Magazine

Canning - Bear Meat

The last six months my non-hunting friends asking increasingly specific questions about how to turn animals into meat.

time-read
6 mins  |
January - February 2021
Bear Dogs - East vs West
Bear Hunting Magazine

Bear Dogs - East vs West

The term “bear dog” means something different to every houndsman.

time-read
8 mins  |
January - February 2021
Alaska - One Last Grizzly (DIY)
Bear Hunting Magazine

Alaska - One Last Grizzly (DIY)

NOTHING LASTS FOREVER, BUT THE AUTHOR HAS HAD A HECK OF A RUN ON ARCTIC GRIZZLY

time-read
10+ mins  |
January - February 2021
Understanding Skull Size in Evaluating Trophy Black Bear
Bear Hunting Magazine

Understanding Skull Size in Evaluating Trophy Black Bear

Black bears can be one of the most difficult big game animals to judge before the shot.

time-read
7 mins  |
November - December 2020