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Posted: 10/15/2015 12:33:23 PM EDT
A friend and I have decided to book a black bear hunt in Maine. The guide will be using hounds. We will be going next year. I have never hunted bear, and grew up hunting with hounds. I foresee it becoming illegal in my lifetime to do, so I decided to take advantage.
My question is, what would be the perfect black bear gun with hounds? Lever, 12 gauge, handgun? I'm torn. This will probably be the only time I do it and I own plenty of guns that I know will work but I would like to put together the perfect weapon for the hunt. I'm obviously expecting shots to be fairly close, if successful at treeing one. Thanks! |
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Posted: 10/15/2015 1:19:09 PM EDT
[#1]
Originally Posted By buckfever34:
A friend and I have decided to book a black bear hunt in Maine. The guide will be using hounds. We will be going next year. I have never hunted bear, and grew up hunting with hounds. I foresee it becoming illegal in my lifetime to do, so I decided to take advantage. My question is, what would be the perfect black bear gun with hounds? Lever, 12 gauge, handgun? I'm torn. This will probably be the only time I do it and I own plenty of guns that I know will work but I would like to put together the perfect weapon for the hunt. I'm obviously expecting shots to be fairly close, if successful at treeing one. Thanks! I'm going in December here in WV. Going with some guys that run dogs year round, I'm bringing my Winchester 30-30 that I got for my 12th birthday. |
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Posted: 10/21/2015 8:46:34 PM EDT
[#2]
Mine was a 35 Whelen to the head.
Not sexy but he died. |
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PA, USA
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Posted: 10/21/2015 8:52:29 PM EDT
[#3]
I'd go with 444 Marlin lever, stripped to ghost sights.
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Posted: 10/22/2015 11:56:06 AM EDT
[#4]
ive hunted bear with hounds in Maine before and im going next week to hunt with hounds in new hampshire. id say a lever gun or a short bolt gun with 100 yard reach is good. 444 marlin is a great choice. Maine woods are thicker then snot, so having a short rifle is ideal. there is always a chance to get one crossing the road so a 100 yard shot isnt out of the question either. what guide service are you hunting with?
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Posted: 10/25/2015 3:09:18 AM EDT
[#5]
nothing wrong with a good marlin guide gun in 45-70. Short and sweet.
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Posted: 10/31/2015 11:42:31 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By bikerman9967:
ive hunted bear with hounds in Maine before and im going next week to hunt with hounds in new hampshire. id say a lever gun or a short bolt gun with 100 yard reach is good. 444 marlin is a great choice. Maine woods are thicker then snot, so having a short rifle is ideal. there is always a chance to get one crossing the road so a 100 yard shot isnt out of the question either. what guide service are you hunting with? 3 Rivers Guide Service. Gordon Foster. |
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Posted: 10/31/2015 9:20:40 PM EDT
[Last Edit: bikerman9967]
[#7]
How about a 4 inch 44 mag??
Took this one yesterday 
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Posted: 11/4/2015 5:23:11 AM EDT
[#8]
I'll give you the same advice my friend gave me just recently. Bring something lightweight, short, and easy to carry, because if you're running dogs, you will be hauling ass through the woods after them. Took my bear last week with a Marlin 336 in .35 Rem.
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Posted: 11/4/2015 9:12:39 AM EDT
[Last Edit: bikerman9967]
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Detn8r-Red2:
I'll give you the same advice my friend gave me just recently. Bring something lightweight, short, and easy to carry, because if you're running dogs, you will be hauling ass through the woods after them. Took my bear last week with a Marlin 336 in .35 Rem. http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r210/ryan_jarvis3/Bear%2010-29-15/5bdc4c3c-c2b0-4b40-ab13-0b87a4dc2c5f_zpsnwbsn2yx.jpg
where in New Hampshire? |
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Posted: 11/4/2015 7:47:14 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By bikerman9967:
where in New Hampshire? Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By bikerman9967:
Originally Posted By Detn8r-Red2:
I'll give you the same advice my friend gave me just recently. Bring something lightweight, short, and easy to carry, because if you're running dogs, you will be hauling ass through the woods after them. Took my bear last week with a Marlin 336 in .35 Rem. http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r210/ryan_jarvis3/Bear%2010-29-15/5bdc4c3c-c2b0-4b40-ab13-0b87a4dc2c5f_zpsnwbsn2yx.jpg
where in New Hampshire? Grafton County |
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Posted: 11/4/2015 10:28:52 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Detn8r-Red2:
Grafton County Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Detn8r-Red2:
Originally Posted By bikerman9967:
Originally Posted By Detn8r-Red2:
I'll give you the same advice my friend gave me just recently. Bring something lightweight, short, and easy to carry, because if you're running dogs, you will be hauling ass through the woods after them. Took my bear last week with a Marlin 336 in .35 Rem. http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r210/ryan_jarvis3/Bear%2010-29-15/5bdc4c3c-c2b0-4b40-ab13-0b87a4dc2c5f_zpsnwbsn2yx.jpg
where in New Hampshire? Grafton County I took the one above in Columbia on Friday |
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Posted: 11/4/2015 10:35:18 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By bikerman9967:
I took the one above in Columbia on Friday Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By bikerman9967:
Originally Posted By Detn8r-Red2:
Originally Posted By bikerman9967:
Originally Posted By Detn8r-Red2:
I'll give you the same advice my friend gave me just recently. Bring something lightweight, short, and easy to carry, because if you're running dogs, you will be hauling ass through the woods after them. Took my bear last week with a Marlin 336 in .35 Rem. http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r210/ryan_jarvis3/Bear%2010-29-15/5bdc4c3c-c2b0-4b40-ab13-0b87a4dc2c5f_zpsnwbsn2yx.jpg
where in New Hampshire? Grafton County I took the one above in Columbia on Friday Nice 
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Posted: 11/30/2015 1:04:29 PM EDT
[Last Edit: bikerman9967]
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Detn8r-Red2:
Nice
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Detn8r-Red2:
Originally Posted By bikerman9967:
Originally Posted By Detn8r-Red2:
Originally Posted By bikerman9967:
Originally Posted By Detn8r-Red2:
I'll give you the same advice my friend gave me just recently. Bring something lightweight, short, and easy to carry, because if you're running dogs, you will be hauling ass through the woods after them. Took my bear last week with a Marlin 336 in .35 Rem. http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r210/ryan_jarvis3/Bear%2010-29-15/5bdc4c3c-c2b0-4b40-ab13-0b87a4dc2c5f_zpsnwbsn2yx.jpg
where in New Hampshire? Grafton County I took the one above in Columbia on Friday Nice
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WA, USA
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Posted: 12/16/2015 11:14:32 PM EDT
[#14]
I've killed quite a few bears with hounds and all of the above are good choices. I prefer a marlin 45/70. As was said, running with hounds you want something easy to run with. A short, large caliber. lever action being the most practical, and a large caliber revolver for those looking for a little more excitement.
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Posted: 1/28/2016 8:00:25 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Clarinath]
[#15]
My .50 Beowulf works great, though I have used pistols in the past.
Once they are in a tree you could shoot it with a bow if you want. Any magnum caliber is fine, including 10mm. We run dogs in huge areas with lots of logging roads, we often get ahead of the hunt and ambush the bear when it crosses the road at known crossing points. It's nice to have rifle capabilities for those instances. |
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Posted: 1/29/2016 12:39:34 AM EDT
[#16]
 |
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Posted: 1/29/2016 12:56:51 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By bikerman9967:
How about a 4 inch 44 mag?? Took this one yesterday
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/11039105_874591469304457_6677434492685012977_n.jpg?oh=dbabde30eb1b898d0cc4b26c567c0b47&oe=56BE6F3E Congrats! Hunting over hounds is the perfect opportunity to use a handgun. Is that a RedHawks or a 629? |
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Posted: 1/29/2016 4:21:15 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Warhawk:
Congrats! Hunting over hounds is the perfect opportunity to use a handgun. Is that a RedHawks or a 629? Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Warhawk:
Originally Posted By bikerman9967:
How about a 4 inch 44 mag?? Took this one yesterday
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/11039105_874591469304457_6677434492685012977_n.jpg?oh=dbabde30eb1b898d0cc4b26c567c0b47&oe=56BE6F3E Congrats! Hunting over hounds is the perfect opportunity to use a handgun. Is that a RedHawks or a 629? redhawk. |
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Posted: 1/31/2016 6:48:49 PM EDT
[#19]
This is one of my dream hunts. Hopefully I get to do it before the practice is banned, as you said.
Good luck with your hunt, I look forward to reading the hunting report. |
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Posted: 2/1/2016 7:31:40 AM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By dan45678:
This is one of my dream hunts. Hopefully I get to do it before the practice is banned, as you said. Good luck with your hunt, I look forward to reading the hunting report. they had a vote in 2004 and in 2014 in Maine and both times it was voted down. they have been pushing legislation to block an anti hunting movement now. HSUS cried heavily |
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VA, USA
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Posted: 2/20/2016 12:14:14 PM EDT
[#21]
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Posted: 2/21/2016 10:21:16 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By sovaprepper:
I think a 45-70 would be an excellent choice also <a href="http://s1153.photobucket.com/user/sovaprepper/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG1953_zpsecx8y6y0.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p504/sovaprepper/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG1953_zpsecx8y6y0.jpg</a> Great set up |
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VA, USA
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Posted: 2/22/2016 8:59:26 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By bikerman9967:
Great set up Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By bikerman9967:
Originally Posted By sovaprepper:
I think a 45-70 would be an excellent choice also <a href="http://s1153.photobucket.com/user/sovaprepper/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG1953_zpsecx8y6y0.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p504/sovaprepper/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG1953_zpsecx8y6y0.jpg</a> Great set up Thank you sir. Now if I could ever get in the right spot at the right time for a bear |
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Posted: 2/23/2016 7:54:03 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By sovaprepper:
Thank you sir. Now if I could ever get in the right spot at the right time for a bear Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By sovaprepper:
Originally Posted By bikerman9967:
Originally Posted By sovaprepper:
I think a 45-70 would be an excellent choice also <a href="http://s1153.photobucket.com/user/sovaprepper/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG1953_zpsecx8y6y0.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p504/sovaprepper/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG1953_zpsecx8y6y0.jpg</a> Great set up Thank you sir. Now if I could ever get in the right spot at the right time for a bear its always tough. bears are funny sometimes. ive run them hard and they wont tree,cross multiple roads, and never give a safe shot opportunity and we end up pulling the dogs. at the same time we have dropped the tailgate and had a bear treed in under 30 minutes. you never know what they are gonna do |
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NV, USA
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Posted: 8/5/2016 2:14:02 PM EDT
[#25]
I would contact the guide and ask him what his preference is that you carry. Some guides have minimum caliber restrictions when it comes to hunting certain types of game. My buddy used to guide for in CO for Bear, Elk, cougar, and Deer. His company had minimum caliber restrictions and shooting restrictions around the dogs for both cougar and bear.
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IA, USA
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Posted: 4/26/2017 10:58:11 PM EDT
[#26]
taken a black bear down with a benelli M4..i also carry a back up revolver.
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FL, USA
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Posted: 8/31/2017 5:56:50 PM EDT
[#27]
Something lever action, pretty much every common caliber will do well.
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Posted: 9/19/2017 5:37:45 PM EDT
[#28]
Something short and light. 16" levers, a shotgun with 18" barrel, a handgun that you are very competent with. Even a nice light bolt gun like a model 7 with a low powered scope, just be aware of sight offset.
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