SACRAMENTO — Hunting bears with hounds is a time-honored tradition in California, but it won’t be legal after Jan. 1, when the state outlaws the use of dogs to hunt bobcats and bears.

‘‘When you think about it, hunting with dogs is probably the oldest hunting in history. I’m sorry to see it end,’’ said Gary Ramey of Gainesville, Ga., who traveled 2,500 miles with his daughter to hunt bears with dogs in California.