how old to start on bear

[roswellhounder]

I was wondering how old a dog should be before running bear on their own. I have two dogs that will be 8 months old come bear season, my dad also has two dogs the same age. All the dogs are doing great will trail and tree coon. I just dont want to ruin the dogs by getting them on bear too soon, I also dont want to lose my dogs to a bear if I can help it. Our bear season is short and we dont have a training season, so I would hate to wait a whole nother year before they can chase bear. This is my first year hunting with hounds so any help would be appreciated. Thanks and good luck to all!

[silentnight]

Im not a bear hunter but that is pretty young I have just started mine on coon at that age I would wait.

[roswellhounder]

thanks I was kinda thinkin that, I am hunting them on coon as much as possible. The guy I got my dogs from said we are welcome to tag along, so I will take him up on that so my dogs will at least get to see some bear this year.

[Bow]

every hound is different but most of mine are getting to run at 8 months. but not every time so as not to burn them out. the way i look at it they should be half wore out by two years old

[Tbblue]

Every dog is different they need to b physically and mentally able not just 1 or the other . My old dogs r fast n cold nosed they run cold trails like some dogs do jumped so my pups I start with them really have to have it together. I dont start or run my dogs on coon or coyote , don't need 1 of those chases when I'm runnin bear but I run bobcat with same hounds so I start them on feral cats bout 4 mo. Old.!

[roswellhounder]

Thanks for the replies, this is my first set of hounds, so I really dont know if they are ready or not but the guy I got my dogs from is more than willing to help out. Just have to find time that our schedules fit.

[bearhunter611]

I try and start my dogs out on a drag around 10weeks old if they are interested in trailing and will turn them in behind in a bear race at about 5months of age. If the dog want to hunt I let it hunt. I will normally run them at 5 months during training season, not kill season. because we typically run the little 100lb bears at that time, and more times then not the bear will just tree as oppose to fight, and dont have to worry about "making or breaking" the pup.

[stanleybearhunter]

I usually start my pups on a drag then try them on a coon, to bout 10 mo or a year old, i will take them on a bear chase with my other dogs or if there real young i takem to the tree let me see whats going on. knock a bear or so out to em that really helps a young dog

[bency]

Depends how fast they are progressing, but definately by 10 months you can hunt them on bear.

[Gonzmg]

I started a couple pups last year at about 6 months old they made several trees and bay ups. They bayed kind of loose but were not cheerleaders by any means they are doing good this year I have been on a few depradation hunts this summer and they have been doing great. They will not learn a thing unless you hunt them. Get with your buddy and start taking them on the 15th of August.

[roswellhounder]

Thanks again guys, I am definetly going to get them on some bear this year. Now I dont know if it will be on a lead or loose with other dogs but they will for sure be on some bear. With the year round lion season I am sure they will get to see some lion also, if for nothing else some training and exercise. good luck to everyone!

[Tee Hover]

I start taking my pups with me at about 10-12 weeks for short rides in the dog box, to get them acclimated to being on the road and being close quarters with other dogs. I try and expose them to a lot of outside and strange dogs also. When they are 4-6 months they get a tracking collar put on for short amounts of time to build there muscles and get acclimated to wearing one. From the time they start going for rides I will put a small piece of food on the ground periodically and cluck them to it, so when I say “here it is” and point to the ground the pup will come smell where I am pointing. Eventually I will bury a piece of dog food an inch or two under the dirt or duff, so they have to work their nose to find it, this will help when you start putting them on game, each time you put them in a race find the track and cluck them to it so they know what the smell is and not think they are supposed to just chase other barking dogs. When the pup is 4-6 months I start feeding them into races, don’t worry if the pup doesn’t want to go, it is a new experience for them that takes time to get comfortable with. Eventually the pup will want to go with the other dogs, sometimes they go a 100 yards and come back and other times they go the whole race. The pup will head and start making races when it is ready mentally and physically, it is up to you to provide the opportunities, I do not get to worked up over a pup that doesn’t want to scream out on a track until they are a year to year and a half and the same goes for treeing. I want my pups to trail and tree because they know the game is there and not just be a cheerleader. If you have someone you can tag along with that has good dogs it will help shape your pups faster. Remember every pup is different; some will be making most races at 6-7 months others a year and a half and some don’t make it. Provide every opportunity you can to let your pups succeed and let them do the rest.

Good luck

[Ankle Express]

Keep hunting them like you been doing. For me thats to young. 18-24 months old has been the common thing for mine. For now find some bear & lead on the tracks. Petting & praising them with encouragement. Lead on hot & cold tracks. Walk the bear out of the bed as much as possible & hopefully they just scream. I pull off the tracks & check out & cut the tracks again. Pett'em up & go home. Do this as much as possible along with your other hunting & trainers mixed in there. Don't be to worried about a trash race or two. Don't encourage them but use it as a chance to evaluate if they can pick their feet up & run to catch. Plenty of time to break them from that stuff. Then one day when you know mentally & physically they can perform on some level, lead a track up & again hopefully they just scream but pett'em up & send them down that track. You most likely won't catch the first ones but if its in them they will eventually catch one. Ever get the ice broke & your half way home. If they act timid or shy around that bed after a few leads then find a different dog. Good luck.

[Nolte]

This all depends on the dog and just as much the bear. A nice easy short run little shaver is a good training for a young dog at 6-8 mos. A nasty sucker might be way too much for one that is a few months over a year just figuring it out. It all just depends.

I've seen a lot of dogs ruined by getting worked over at too young of an age. I've also seen just as many ruined by not being hunted. Try to find that middle ground and then give them a chance. If you want to hunt them young be mindfull of the situation you are putting them in. I don't like to hang a dog out to dry (of any age) on a mean bear, but I especially don't want to do it on a young one. At a minimum have some buddies in there to show the ropes or control the situation a little better.

[alleyes16]

If they want to hunt let them go!!!! Why hold them back???