I'm just starting to think about this, but say I wanted to do a black bear hunt in the next few years.

1. What state(s) are the easiest to get a tag in and go hunting? I don't really have a preference east or west.

2. How difficult is a DIY bear hunt? Would an outfitter be best, having no prior experience?

3. Bait, dogs, spot and stalk, etc?

4. Does archery or rifle change anything?

5. Any other advice/thoughts?

This is on my list as well.

I did some research into it a couple years ago and I had a spreadsheet with outfitters I had contacted, prices, packages, etc. I would share that with you but that computer sharted itself to death one day and I didn't have most of my stuff backed up. I do remember that I was leaning toward an outfitter in Idaho. Bait hunt. Archery. They also offered wolf/bear combo hunts for not much extra $$ if you are into that kind of stuff.

I found some Montana spot stalk spring bear + fishing outfitters I've half convinced some folks to join me on. Got to do a better job lining out my spring schedule though.

BradMnt346 and I hunted with Richie Outfitters in the Selway of Idaho. In that area you can buy OTC. There are enough bears that you can buy two tags. It is very rugged country and we flew into a grass strip because of how remote it is. He offers spot and stalk, bait, or dogs. We initially wanted spot and stalk but each ended up getting our bears with dogs. I feel no shame whatsoever about that. It was the most physically exhausting hunt I have ever done and I earned that bear. The fishing was incredible, too.

I have a hunt over bait through an outfitter lined up in Maine next fall. Maine has the highest concentration of black bears in the lower 48.

Thanks for the replies so far. I'll look into all of that.

Anything in NM or AZ worth looking into?

My dream is the Peace River in Alberta.

Reality, probably north central NM or Colorado. In NM I can still find bears pretty easy. The Raton/Red River/Taos area has a moderate number of bears. On an average to drought year, they are really easy to find if you know where to look. Vermont would also be a possibility, and where I saw my biggest bear.

My wife was real happy figure out my bear looking plans for California in 3 weeks. I am afraid my phone has kooties after looking up "bears near San Diego" :-( I always go looking for bears if I know I'm within 50 miles of them.......dear Lord this paragraph can be taken the wrong way.

Ursus what's the story on the avocado and blueberry bears? Are they as delicious as it sounds like they might be

Added to watch this thread.

I've taken a couple of bears here in western Colorado. I'll second what Ursus said, the drier the easier. I've never hunted over bait, so I can't speak to that, but the bears I killed spot and stalk, or just plain jump and shoot, were far better eating than the one killed over dogs. Something about the long chase made them tougher than nails.

Tags vary in CO. Here there are a bunch and they are all B list. Usually there are leftovers. Lots of the bears are on public during the September season, but it can take time. They are in the brush. Don't come for a lo n g weekend or even a week and expect a trophy bear.

shaynew1 said:

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Ursus what's the story on the avocado and blueberry bears? Are they as delicious as it sounds like they might be

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Probably taste better than the bear spray and hiking bell ones ...

There was a thread on this topic a couple of weeks ago.

I'd highly recommend McKinnon& Company in Alberta, Canada. Look at the bear pics. I'm in the 2012 set. You won't find better pelts. Great lodge.

www.huntmco.com

A friend shot one in Maine last year, he was pleased with pricing and accommodations, etc....

I've been on 3 black bear hunts in Alaska. I can't imagine a better hunt then SE Alaska spot and stalk.

tlfw378 said:

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I've been on 3 black bear hunts in Alaska. I can't imagine a better hunt then SE Alaska spot and stalk.

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Now we're talkin!

I have hunted over bait 2 times in Arkansas with no luck. I saw 1 bear the first time but was never able to take a shot.
I am leaving next friday for a 6 day hunt in British Columbia so i should have more to add in a few weeks

A friend of mine is the Furbearer Program Director for Oregon. I've started researching and eyeballing Oregon a little more.

My main thing is I can do a DIY pretty much anywhere in the SW US (that's where I know their ecology the best). BUT, I really like seeing new things. So the northern Rockies, the NW and New England are interesting to me. Outside of a small are in North Carolina, most of the SE bears are of little interest to me for hunting purposes....doesn't mean I won't go looking just to see them.