Hatchet Jack Report post Posted June 9, 2017 Me and a buddy are headed out for a quick backpack trip this weekend and I'll be hunting bears in an open unit. He doesn't hunt and is just coming along for the hike. He just informed me he wants to bring his dog with us. Could this be somehow interpreted as pursuing bears with a dog? It's a border collie and he said it doesn't chase animals, I just don't want to leave myself open to getting into trouble. Probably a stupid question just curious if any of you guys have input. Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vitalzone Report post Posted June 9, 2017 Scent of a dog. Bears can smell things miles away Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1denogean Report post Posted June 9, 2017 I have know lots of people that hunt solo with their mutts (dogs that aren't hounds) and are successful at all game, bears, deer, elk, etc. I think it would be fine Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jazz Report post Posted June 9, 2017 Might as well bring him. The bear will smell all three of you, no matter what kind of scentok you're carrying. With bears it's all about wind. Also, I don't think pursuing bears with dogs is illegal? But I don't use dogs for bears.. just patience and altitude. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector777 Report post Posted June 9, 2017 Might as well bring him. The bear will smell all three of you, no matter what kind of scentok you're carrying. With bears it's all about wind. Also, I don't think pursuing bears with dogs is illegal? But I don't use dogs for bears.. just patience and altitude. illegal in the spring hunts. Buy I'd say you're fine. Would have to be a pretty big jerk of a warden to try and get you in trouble. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimmer Negamanee Report post Posted June 9, 2017 I guess it depends.Will you be glassing open country until you glass up a bear then bail off the hill to put a stalk on it? If that’s the case, I don’t think there’s an issue if your buddy has dog at your glassing spot. He and his dog can just stay behind while you stalk.Will you be still-hunting through the timber or doing some varmint calling? If that’s the case, I could see a dog being a hindrance because they are an extra source of noise and scent.I’ve never taken a dog on a hunt but I love having my dog with me when I’m on hikes. I love watching her because she is so exuberant when in the outdoors. It’s like having a front-row seat to happiness.(She’s the dog in my avatar and that pic was from our first outing.)I believe one of our members (who goes by the handle Coues’n’Sheep) hunts or at least scouts with his dog but it’s HIS dog so he knows it’s disposition, training and how it will react in certain situations. If he sees this, maybe he can chime in with advice.Let us know what you decide and how it worked out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hatchet Jack Report post Posted June 9, 2017 Thanks for the replies. Just leaving work now. I will be glassing big canyon country spot and stalk. Will definitely have him stay with his dog at the top if I end up moving in on a bear. Anybody with a lick of sense would see this is not a dog being used to pursue or chase bears, I just worry about how an officer might try to interpret having a dog in our group while actively hunting bears. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
