The hounds will keep a bear treed until hunters arrive , regardless of how long that takes . Their enthusiasm for the hunt is undeniable for anyone who has witnessed it . When hunters do arrive , they never know what they ’ ll find — a small bear , a sow with cubs or a big boar — but a treed bear allows time to look for cubs nearby , for evaluation of the animal and for unhurried , ethical shots should the hunter choose to take the bear . For most houndsmen , the thrill is in the chase , not in taking a bear .
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