Hal Barry became determined to develop his own pack of hounds based on the successfulMidland lines already setting the hunting world on fire. Master Hal Barry’s love of the sport is infectious and his need to share his dream is well received by the members. With his wife Linda by his side, he has made the Bear Creek Hounds an inviting family hunt that provides great sport for many.

Bear Creek Hounds History 

Initially Hal Barry attempted to hunt his pack himself for his own enjoyment business demands from the Barry Real Estate Companies made it impossible for him to do it all alone. He then hired a professional huntsman, Guy Cooper, a Welshman, to develop and hunt the pack. Today the Bear Creek Hounds hunt staff includes two professional whippers-in who help him hunt the pack: Heather Cooper, Guy’s wife and Shannon Roach Coweta County native who also trains the hunt horses.

 In 2003, the Bear Creek Hounds was recognized by the Masters of Foxhounds Association of

America (MFHA), the governing body of mounted hunting in North America. The Barrys have become quite active in the organization. When the MFHA celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2007, the Barrys hosted one of the MFHA’s centennial field hunter trials, organized by Linda Barry and the hunt staff.

Master Rene Latiolais was invited to join Hal as a Joint Master of the Bear Creek Hounds in the winter of 2007 after twelve years in the sport of mounted hunting. Rene says he is determined to become a “real foxhunter” with his very active involvement in the MFHA plus his new Joint Master status with the Bear Creek Hounds.

Approximately 80 members support Bear Creek Hounds, which hunts twice a week over many  varied venues. Territory has been established from just south of Atlanta, Georgia to the farming South Georgia to the west just across the border into Alabama.   The hunt meets usually attracts 30 to 40 riders and guests.

While most members follow the hounds on horseback, non-riders and guests are welcome to tag along in trucks on hunting days. The Bear Creek Hounds’ social activities, which include the traditional breakfasts following each day’s hunt and an annual ball, are very popular.      The Bear Creek Hounds also has benefited the economy of Coweta County by attracting horse lovers from all areas of metro Atlanta. Enthusiasm for this family sport has prompted several members to purchase property near Bear Creek Farm so they can ride with the hounds more frequently.

Bear Creek’s breeding program with select infusions of bloodlines ensures that the pack will continue to improve in quality and hunting ability. The main aim of Master Hal Barry and Huntsman Guy Cooper is to bring out the best in terms of conformation and drive while retaining that spine-tingling cry that the crossbred hound is famous for.