The last key step to developing what bear hunters are seeing today was the creation of bear sanctuaries. There were four initially created in 1974 with two more including the Great Smokey Mountains National Park added in 1997. These six sanctuaries give black bears more than 450,000 acres of safe haven.

As for early-season success among the three counties of Blount, Cocke and Sevier, Brandenburg said Cocke County is probably Tennessee's strongest bear producer. Monroe County is also a strong candidate, but the hunting situation there is different because of the party hunts held in that area. Brandenburg also likes what he sees out of Greene County, calling it a really good bear county. As for a dark horse, he'd have to go with Unicoi County.

Cocke County remains strong from season to season with a harvest almost guaranteed to be among the highest. A lot also has to be said for Monroe and Polk counties as well as Sevier because of their consistent production of good bear harvests. In looking at the 10-year data, Tennessee bear hunters have failed to take at least 100 bears in only one season.

IN THE BEAR WOODS
Like Brandenburg said, we've seen a recent trend with more hunters turning to black bear hunting and many of them are a younger breed. For Brad Collins, a young but veteran bear hunter from Greene County, the answers to why are obvious.

"It's the thrill of big game," Collins said. "And right now there are more black bears in Tennessee and North Carolina than in recent history." The 34-year-old Collins, who's been bear hunting since he was 15, was also quick to credit the success of modern-day bear hunting to regional bear clubs working together, as well as the bear management by the TWRA. Collins said smaller bear clubs have joined larger groups like the Tennessee Bear Hunters Association and the North Carolina Bear Hunters Association, and they work toward educating people about bear hunting and the traditions within the sport.

If there were one thing Collins would like to control about bear hunting, it would be its image. He said the focus should be on the hunt and trying to educate people about the sport. Collins would like to change the negative picture some people paint about bear hunting. For him, education is definitely the key because hunters really appreciate the animals they pursue.

On the subject of hounds, Collins is all about respecting them as well. He feels there are good dogs in every breed. Collins said having a good dog is like having a good job, you have work at it -- put your time in.

Bear hunting itself is all about tracking and trailing, and you need a good dog to be at your best. Collins said an old hunter once told him you have to be at least as smart as or smarter than your dog because he learns from you. Bear hunting is a learning experience all the way, and Collins said you have to eyeball a track to see how old it is and then make the decision on whether to let the dog try it. Sometimes the dog's nose is the deciding factor. In the end, you learn with your dog. And when you drop that tailgate, you're turning loose not just a dog, but also a hunting partner into that laurel thicket.

Bear hunting can be expensive, from the dogs you breed to the equipment you buy for tracking them. But for Collins, from the start of the race, to the baying, the fighting, and then seeing that 200- to 300-pound (or better) bear treed, it's a thrilling sport.

Collins said for those thinking about getting into bear hunting you need to know on the front end that it's a physically demanding sport -- not just on you but also your dogs. The two-week bear dog-training season in September is crucial in Collins' eyes to getting himself and the dogs in shape. He said without the training season, bear hunting would be finished.

The best piece of advice Collins had for beginning bear hunters is to get hooked up with a veteran to learn the ropes. Learning and knowing your hunting area along with bear patterns based on the layout are key ingredients to success. By getting familiar with the territory, you'll get familiar with bear habits. He said it typically takes four to five years to get bear hunting down pat.