SOLVED. SCI-FI Action about a hunter going after a cryptid in the arctic published late '90s

[Ted]

This was a top seller in the late 90's. I know, because I read it while working at RiteAid between 1998-2001, and they only carried top sellers. It was about a hunter who was brought in when something went wrong at a research station up north. He had an odd, double hooded leather jacket that always fascinated me. Turns the beast was some attempt to recreate/create an ancient apex hunter. There was a scene where he tied a string with strips of fabric across the cave mouth and it scared the beast off.

This was a gas station/pharmacy novel, nothing high brow, but it's been bugging me.

Thanks for your help!

[Ted]

A friend on social media found it within hours. I am amazed. It's "Hunter" by James Byron Huggins.