Here are a few tips that I can give you.

Introduce yourself and offer assistance if they need it.

Ask if it may be possible for you to just "tag along".

Don't shoot someone's dog first and foremost.That is a cardinal sin with houndsmen.

If your lucky enough to take a bear that was "chased" past you try to remember which dogs were doing what. Alot of houndsmen are happy enough just to know that their dogs were doing what they were surposed to be doing.

Offer a portion of the meat from your bear to the owner of the houndsmen. It's just good edicate.

If you arrive at a bear tree before the owner of the hounds or members of their group don't "roll" it out as soon as you get there. Wait on someone in the group to arrive and give you the go ahead to take it. Understand that even thou it's "not their bear" it should be compared to hunting from someone elses treestand after they have done all the work. Sure you can do it but, it's not right. Again try to remember which dogs were doing what as this tells the owner who are cheerleaders and who are the quarterbacks. Cheerleaders are pretty to look at but, don't really help win the game.

Ask if they need help with the dogs because this is a very adrinaline charged time for both the houndsmen and the dogs alike. Both have waited months for this moment and is the climax of all the hard work that has went into. After the kill ask to help them get the bear, dogs, and gear out of the woods. It's hard to carry a gun, lead multipal dogs and drag a bear with 2 or 3 people. This goes a long ways and people remember those that go out of their way to help them.

Don't be discouraged if your not "granted permission" to take the bear as many groups have young hunters or first time hunters that were promised or "drew" to take a bear.

Remember just because you may be given the "cold shoulder" by a few groups doesn't mean that everyone is like that. Houndsmen can be a suspicious bunch when it comes to others, especially someone that no one in the group knows. This may not be because they are doing something wrong and fear you are "the law" but, can it can be because they don't know your hunting or physical abilities. If I "take responsibility" of you and you can't make it out or get lost then I will be spending my time looking for or helping you. When my dogs are lost, are you one of the first to jump in the truck and say "I'll help you find them" even thou you've not had supper and it's well after dark. I remember those that have no vested intrest in my hounds but, are there though the long nights, thick and thin, good times and bad. If I let you take a bear over my dogs will you come back even thou it's out of your way to offer a portion of meat to me after you check it out. People like this get "first dibs" on the next bear tree.

It takes time to build a reputation and friendship with a group of houndsmen just like any group.

Just a few pointers/tips that might help you put a nice rug on the floor infront of the fireplace.