Archery hunting for bear with Carolina ALL OUT

Bear hunting is a long-held tradition in North Carolina

Bear hunting is a Carolina tradition, and doing it with dogs is as classic as it gets. Chris Douglas with Carolina ALL OUT TV joined up with the Temple family to partake in a bear hunt with dogs in Pasquotank County, NC.

Also joining in the hunt was Gus Congemi, host of Live the Wildlife. Congemi’s goal was to kill a black bear with a bow.

Season 1, Episode 11 of Carolina ALL OUT is more than just a video of a hunt. It takes a good look at the history of bear hunting in North Carolina and the Temple family’s 130+ years of participating in this pasttime, as well as what goes into training hounds for bear hunting.

Sounds of the hounds

One aspect loved by bear hunters is the chorus of dogs when they have a bear bayed.

“That music,” said Douglas, “might not get everybody’s blood going, but it gets mine going. And any houndsmen out there watching this, you know what I’m talking about when you hear that. There’s excitement to that. It’s called mountain music, because it truly is music to people who have put so much time and dedication to the hounds.”

Finding the hounds is as simple as going toward the sounds they’re making, but it isn’t always an easy path.

“This is some tough, tough walking,” said Congemi while making his way to the dogs. “Coming through these thorns and briars, although I’ve got protective clothing, I don’t have them on my hands and face. It’s rough, rough travel.”

Success doesn’t come easy

It’s not a game for the casual outdoorsman. Bear hunting this way is full of ups and downs, physically and emotionally. And when it all comes together, the hard work is more than worth it.

After encountering numerous bears over the course of a few days, the perfect scenario finally presented itself , and Congemi was able to get his shot at a bear. He made a good, clean, ethical shot on the bruin, and after a short tracking job, they found the bear, which expired from the single arrow.

Douglas stressed the true conservation story of bear hunting in North Carolina, and Congemi said every ounce of the meat plus the hide will be used.

Check out the episode at youtube.com/@CarolinaALLOUT. ■