Bear hounds and highways

[Mountain Man]

In Wisconsin, I was wondering how close/far do hound hunters let their dogs get to paved roads that have speed limits of 45-55 mph?

For example, if there is a state highway with posted speed limit of 55 mph, and then a dirt road that goes perpendicular from the highway into more remote areas that makes a good circuit for a hound hunter to travel, and all land in the area is public, at what minimum distance from the paved highway would they let the dogs loose on a bear?

How far from the paved highway would they put their first bait site?

At what distance from a main highway do they try to get the dogs back?

[BigHunt]

In Wisconsin, I was wondering how close/far do hound hunters let their dogs get to paved roads that have speed limits of 45-55 mph?

For example, if there is a state highway with posted speed limit of 55 mph, and then a dirt road that goes perpendicular from the highway into more remote areas that makes a good circuit for a hound hunter to travel, and all land in the area is public, at what minimum distance from the paved highway would they let the dogs loose on a bear?

How far from the paved highway would they put their first bait site?

At what distance from a main highway do they try to get the dogs back?

From what ive seen in zone C, they have no limitations, they will go anywhere and use any hunters baits to there advantage... roads dont stop them, period!

[Hilts]

It depends on that specific area, the terrain, forest, and roads in all directions around it. Known travel patterns for the bear in that location… which way are they most likely to go and the odds of them going that way. Is there some where you can cut the dogs off prior to the black top?

A location as you described could also dictate the time of day or days of the week you would drop your dogs there. You could possibly start a track there only very early in the morning on weekdays or something when traffic is at a bare minimum.

We have baits that are within 1/4 mile of black top, but we do not throw off it unless we have the track coming out of the bait, going away from the black top.

There is many variables, but you do not want to put your dogs in front of traffic and protect them at all costs. That being said, how far is far enough? A mile or two is nothing for them or the bear.

[Buckshot20]

It depends on how curvy the rd is honestly. At the end of the day they don't want dead dogs. If the rd is fairly straight with no blind corners there is no reason they won't run it

[brancher147]

In WV there is no baiting but hound hunters will release dogs on a track right on a main road. Most folks will have dogs on a lead until away from road but dogs get hit every year. I know of one already killed this year training.