Bear are not always fast moving, and if it is possible, the hunters follow on foot, with the hounds, keeping literally on top of the hunt. This is especially common during training season, when young dogs are in the hunt. Keeping the dogs safe is the top priority, treeing the bear is the second. Many people believe that the radio collars are used from this early time throughout the hunt. That is not usually the case.
Most hunters rely on sound, knowledge of the terrain, knowledge of their hounds, and gut instinct.
The dogs are commonly household pets though, and if a hunter fears that a dog is in need of help, will not hesitate to use a tracker to retrieve his pet. After what can be a short period of several hours, to nearly a whole morning and into afternoon, the dogs may tree the bear. This is not always the case, as not all bear will tree. If one does though, you can tell even if you are not one of the hunters that are right in there. The dogs have a bark distinctively different when they come up treed.