I'm writing from Strong, Maine. I've got Terry Boeder with me—one of the producers from "North American Hunter-TV." With the help of Spruce Mountain Guide Service, we're hunting black bears with hounds, hoping to capture enough footage to produce a killer episode for the 2012 season of "NAH-TV." It's my first time running bears with hounds, and one thing's for sure: It won't be my last.

Yesterday, after an unsuccessful day of checking baits from which to run the hounds, we pulled one of the scouting camera cards and discovered pictures of a very solid bear. Problem was, it was 8 a.m., and the pictures were taken nearly 9 hours before. Knowing the trail was cold, Scott York, owner of Spruce Mountain Guide Service, released his lead and most experienced dog, Willie. It took him a little time, but the veteran bear hound finally struck the trail.

After nearly 6 hours and a few very close encounters, my good friend and hunting buddy, Joe Byrd, put a slug in the bear to end the chase.

It's a big ol' boar that weighed-in at 360 pounds. We're guessing the skull will go about 19 inches. Now it's my turn.