Boom Shakalaka.....

[Pappy]

It got a bit crazy today:p

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Private-Gallery/BEA9706/744330969_EgVCN-O.jpg

[SRH]

man.....now with all the time you guys got in wv....i figured youd find something other to do then hunt defenseless trees:p

[white tails]

what were you hunting? looks like one heck one a gun

[BLU82]

BIGFOOT!?!?!?!:eek2:

[Pappy]

Here is the frame before that one....

We ran the bear for over 12 miles, he finally tree'd but was on someone elses property. Other hunters had dogs in on the chase and I walked in with them to get their dogs and two of ours off it. The bear wouldnt stay tree'd and the dogs and the bear fought hard then the bear went back up the tree...then right back down....this time it was shot.

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Private-Gallery/BEA9705/744334448_6rfHB-O.jpg

[JParisi48]

wowowow!! id be running for my life if i was that close to a bear hhaha

[k4f5x0r]

Props to the dogs for doing their job, hopefully they're okay.. i hate to see hurt animals.


And i agree with Jpar, id be out haha. :p

[Pappy]

I went in to get closer, but the houndsmen were literally tackling dogs.....and the bear so I stayed a few yards back. This is the first time it came down. They were trying to let it go and not get any dogs killed

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Private-Gallery/BEA9680/744340338_rA9vi-O.jpg

[tri5ron]

hey Pappy,
I've got a buddy out here that has 4 or 5 Walkers Hounds, 11 months old, and been out on a couple of bear hunts.

His work is keeping him away from home for a couple of weeks at a time. he and his wife have a new baby, and his wife can not continue to care for the dogs. (She even let the pups parents back together, and the inevitable happened... More pups are on the way).

He is looking for anyone to take the pups for free. If you know of anyone interested, I can get more details if needed.

[Pappy]

Ron, the feller who takes me hunting would be able to help more then I ...I take pics and shoot things but dont get into hounds. I have water dogs:p I am sure Brandon will reply once he see's this

[Pappy]

This was the first long chase I have been on. It took literally hours and went so far i figured we would never catch up with it. I could have ended teh hunt within 50 seconds of the dogs jumping it but there was a slight safety issue with dog handlers and I could not fire. No worries, there is still a few weeks left in the season to keep trying for a big boy!

Here they were trying to keep the bear tree'd so the others could get dogs....

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Private-Gallery/BEA9698/744344274_wT5BV-O.jpg

[Pappy]

Bambi bouncin around....

I wish I had my big lens but all I carried today was a wide angle

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Private-Gallery/BEA9659/744363080_Jf7eG-O.jpg

[Pappy]

The hunt started right after daylight. Fatear and Brandon head to the top of a ridge following a track. Terrain is mighty steep....air is thin as well....and cold:p

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Private-Gallery/BEA9663/744365755_kEpqq-O.jpg

[Pappy]

Originally posted by k4f5x0r
Props to the dogs for doing their job, hopefully they're okay.. i hate to see hurt animals.


The effort these guys go through to protect their dogs is unreal. The dogs have a job to do and they do it. There were afew scraped up today, a few holes from the bear in some ears:p They wanted badly to chew on that bear!

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Private-Gallery/BEA9716/744372690_VXeED-O.jpg

[OnTheGas69]

Looks like quite the adventure! Your pictures are awesome, I like the bambi air shot.

[Pappy]

Dogs getting checked out for any injuries. They get sore feet, cuts and bruises and its no wonder. The terrain is nasty and rugged!

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Private-Gallery/BEA9723/744375957_3FWxK-O.jpg

[Pappy]

And good lord are those dogs a handfull. After running for several hours, fighting with a bear more then once, they still want to GO!

Brandon isnt sitting down to take a break, it was the only way he could keep the dogs from taking him on down the hill!

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Private-Gallery/BEA9711/744380609_oyY3B-O.jpg

[Pappy]

The first time the bear came down, they couldnt grab enough dogs and the fight was on. There is a bear under them dogs, they had him by every corner! What I wasnt able to capture effectivley was the two guys who literally dove on the pile and started grabbing dogs!

I havent been bear hunting long enough to know what my role should be when it comes to the dogs, so its best that I stay a few yards back and let these guys work. They know each other well enough to kind of know what each other is going to do and dont need another person screwing up the works:p

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Private-Gallery/BEA9687/744384899_MCjSr-O.jpg

[Pappy]

This was this ladies first time to see a bear tree'd. She was pretty cool until the bear started down then she about linebackered me running away:p I was heading in, she was coming out and I kind of got stuck in a briar patch.

Another crappy shot but you can see just how intense this can get. The houndsmen are less then a foot away, the rest of us 3 or 4 yards away from the action. I was hoping they could tie off the dogs and I could smack the bear on the *** on his way down the tree!

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Private-Gallery/BEA9679/744391731_qrLeD-O.jpg

[dan harris]

Awesome Shots, feels like we were there !!! Looks like a cool *** time for sure!!

[wrekd]

I would've loved to see those dogs scrap with that bear. That had to be pretty exciting to watch.

[sturdivant58]

Boy what a good time......Those small bear really put in a good run!! Pretty gritty for a small guy lol!! Even tho that bear wasnt big enough for you to shoot pappy u got some great shots!!!
As for the guy with the hounds shoot me over a pm with some info and i will get back with you.

If the snow ever stops and melts down some you will have to get back here!!

[Pappy]

Will do brandon. It is now up to my knees as well so i reckon we are gonna just settle in here keep warm!