I'll second 9.3 on the bear/hounds experience.
Bear are machines.
They'll run day in and day out sustaining speeds that will surprise you -- it's incredible how much country a bear chase can cover.

I have never hunted the big cats, but I definitely want to get after a cougar some time in the next few years.
My Plott hound goes ape shit whenever a cat gets near our place. He might help us win a nice cat cape!

--Tinker