Episode 60: Thomas Cole — Colemine Kennels

In this episode of Nordic Tales and American Trails, Erik sits down with Thomas Cole from Colemine Kennels in Michigan.Thomas shares his journey into hound hunting — from starting later in life to building a kennel of driven bear dogs and traveling across the U.S. in pursuit of adventure.The conversation dives into what drives houndsmen, the ethics of baiting, breeding for purpose, and the powerful bond between hunter and dog.From Michigan’s thick forests to the swamps of North Carolina and the rugged terrain of the West, Thomas brings stories of challenge, learning, and passion for the chase.Highlights include:🐾 Building Colemine Kennels and the drive behind it🏔️ Hunting bears from Michigan to the mountains out West🦴 The role of baiting and terrain in modern bear hunting🤝 Community and unity among houndsmen🔊 Dog training, instinct, and reading the bark🍖 The overlooked quality of black bear meat⚖️ Ethics, respect, and managing hunting conflicts📱 How technology is shaping today’s hunting world🌲 Hunting as a connection to nature — not just a harvestA heartfelt look into the life of a houndsman and the traditions that keep hunting culture alive across generations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.