Black Bear Hunting with a Can-Am Commander 1000 XT SxS / UTV
::Continued::

With reality in check, we got back to enjoying the hunt and it was shortly after daylight when we finally found a track that everyone considered hot. The dogs were turned loose and after several days of nothing, the valleys were now filled with the hair raising balls and cries of the hounds that were quickly closing in on our quarry. As we waited at an intersection, the Can-Am Commander 1000 XT finally showed itself as it wheeled past us and darted off onto a trail as it gave chase to the hounds.

The Can-Am 1000 UTV proved itself in the tight trails where the trucks could not go	Trained hunting dogs were used on the hunt to scout out black bears

It was in the high teens and only a windshield and top cover gave protection to the driver as he sped away. There hadn't been the time nor the money to outfit the Commander 1000XT for cold weather, but knowing how valuable it can be on the hunt, it was thrown into service post haste. Back it came into view and was off again in a new direction as the bear was now in sight of the dogs and everyone was zeroing in on the area that we felt the dogs would indeed tree the bear.

The hunting dogs were equip with GPS tracking devices that tell the hunters if they have tree 'd a black bear & where they are located

The GPS collars started showing tree'd and as luck would have it, we happened to be the first ones to make our way in to the screaming mass of dogs. I was doing all I could to manage the steep ridge and thick brush as I closed in on the group of very excited hounds. I started seeing the dogs and finally caught sight of the bear perched high in a tree far away from the snapping jaws of the hounds far below. I tried to absorb what I was seeing as this method of hunting is still new to me. The bear was literally just hanging out as the dogs clamored about all wanting their quarry where they could get to it.

Once the dogs sent a a bear up a tree it is time to make the kill

As more members of the group came in, it was decided a young hunter in the group would get a chance at the bear however as hunters started closing the noose, the bear decided it had better change things up and in a flash he was coming down the tree! One of the hounds men was at the base of the tree and with his hand held high to keep the bear from sliding directly on his head, faced impending carnage as the accelerating decent was sure to cause some injury not to mention the wrath of chomping jaws as the hounds knew they could unleash a torrent of rage on the bear once it got within their reach. I watched totally amazed as the event unfolded and was further shocked when the bears rear end made contact with the out reached arms of the unlucky hunter, it spun and jumped from the tree over his head! The feat of acrobatic grace was short lived as another hunter was just off the side of the tree holding back dogs and was now facing a full on body tackle from the flying bear!