Bear Hunting With Dogs

Seventeen states currently allow dogs to be used to hunt bear.

Using dogs to hunt bears is not a topic that lacks great national controversy. Each state evaluates the use of dogs on an annual basis usually in response to consistent public outcry of what some consider inhumane hunting practices. When dogs are allowed on the hunt, states have strictly regulated the practice in hopes of maintaining the integrity of the hunt as a source of regional large game population control.

History

Hunting dogs can be found on cave drawings.

Hunting dogs bred and trained to track and catch large game animals like bears have been used by hunters worldwide throughout history. Early documentation can be found in North America as Native Indian tribes used selectively bred dogs to hunt a variety of game. These dogs not only assisted in the hunts, but often pulled the harvested animals back to encampments using specially designed back packs and sleds.

Dog Breeds

Norwegian elkhounds have been used to hunt bear in Scandinavian countries.

Specialized breeds carefully engineered for their temperament, physical prowess and game savvy are prized among bear hunters. Scandinavian bear hunters often used the Norwegian elkhound as bear hunting companions. The densely coated, spitz type Karelian bear dogs were especially bred to hunt bear in Russia. Several of these dogs are currently employed by U.S. fish and wildlife departments in northwestern states to control bears in state and national parks. The most commonly used bear dogs for most U.S. hunters are large hunting hounds bred to hunt a myriad of large game over a variety of terrain.

Training

Training cannot take place on live bears outside of bear season.

The training of bear hunting dogs includes training specific to tracking or catching, often called striking, the bears. Dogs must be individually trained to respond to commands as well as taught to work as a team if used in a pack. Most states stipulate that training a dog on live bears is considered hunting; therefore, training on live game cannot take place outside of hunting season.

State Regulations

Alaska limits bear dogs to properly permitted black bear hunts.

Each state regulates the specific use of dogs for bear hunts. Some have seasonal, regional or residential exclusions. Eastern states that currently allow dogs to be used during parts of bear season are Maine, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Tennessee, Michigan and Wisconsin also allow dogs. Of the western states, Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico allow bear dogs.

Warnings

Even an adolescent bear can pose danger to a large hunting dog.

Using dogs to hunt bear is not to be taken lightly. In an instant, a bear of any age or size can kill or physically maim a dog. Often due to the remote habitats, prized hunting dogs can be lost or injured before the hunters ever encounter a bear. Proper precautions need to be taken to ensure the safety of any dogs used to hunt bear.

References

• The Humane Society of the United States: Fact Sheet on Hound Hunting
• American Kennel Club: Norweigian Elkhound
• North Carolina Game and Fish: North Carolina Bear Hunting
• Alaska Department of Fish and Game: bear pdf: Important information for all bear hunters
• Washington Bear Dogs: Karelian Bear Dogs: Helping to Maintain Washington State Wildlife