Whether it’s after one of my bear hunting seminars or on social media, I’ve often been asked, “What location do you recommend for a great black bear hunt?” That question has a variety of answers, depending on what kind of experience you are seeking as a hunter. I thought I’d write about the questions you should contemplate when planning your first bear hunt. If you’re a seasoned bear hunter then this article will be a yawn for you, but if you’re like many of the new subscribers to Bear Hunting Magazine who are looking to broaden their hunting horizons, then this one’s for you. I openly admit that I’ve never hunted bears on the East coast of the U.S. and, while I’m aware of fantastic bear hunting opportunities there, for the purposes of this article I’m mainly focusing on the Western states as well as Alaskan and Canadian hunts since that’s where I’ve taken my 18 bears. 

There are many types of bear hunting to choose from, but we will focus on spot and stalk first. This style is obviously more rigorous and requires the hunter to be in fairly good shape. Oftentimes, we’ve covered a dozen mountain miles in a day. There are a few factors that will determine your success with a spot and stalk hunt, and being in good shape is a big bonus. The more miles you can cover with both your legs and binoculars, the bigger your chances of laying eyes on a bruin. And if you train for a mountain hunt, don’t forget about strengthening your shoulders and back. Packing out a black bear when you’re miles from the truck or camp is no joke; after you’ve skinned out the hide and skull and deboned the meat, you could be looking at 100 extra pounds of beast on your back. That’s when sharing the adventure with a couple of friends really pays off.? 

You’ll also want to feel comfortable with your rifle out to distances + or - 300 yards during this type of hunt. I’ve had bears feeding on a ridge a mere 75 yards away, but more likely than not most shots are between 300 and 500 yards depending on the type of terrain you’re in. That’s something to consider when preparing for your hunt. 

Many states like Montana, Wyoming, Arizona, Idaho, and parts of Alaska offer some over-the-counter black bear tag opportunities as well as a lot of accessible public land, which makes for a great do-it-yourself, or DIY, hunt. Each state has different regulations, so be sure to pay close attention and read up on the current rules. Regulations change from year to year, so be sure to research before you hunt. Unit boundaries can change as well as spring and fall specific regulations. 

Also, I’d highly recommend using the OnX maps 3D tool on your laptop to explore the area you’d like to hunt. This layer of the map gives you a colored, aerial view of the terrain, almost as if you’re flying overhead in a drone. You can scout for open, south-facing slopes prone to fresh, green grass, forest fire burns, access roads, water sources, timbered cover, and walkable logging roads (which bears love to stroll on). Gone are the days of rolling out your paper maps on the hood of your truck and throwing caution to the wind. 

I’d love to give multiple suggestions for guided or outfitted spot and stalk hunts, but I’ve mostly done DIY bear hunts. I would never recommend an outfitter that I haven’t personally hunted with or have close friends who can give an honest, unbiased referral.?A friend of my father’s recently booked a Canadian bear hunt with an outfit that he simply found online.?He sadly returned after a five day hunt without seeing one bear! I always recommend speaking with at least two hunters who’ve been with the outfitter you’re looking into, and preferably ones who are return clients.  

There’s an outfit I’d highly recommend if you’re wanting a DIY style hunting adventure, but don’t want to worry about food and lodging. Eagle Lodge on the Prince Of Wales Island in Alaska offers both spring and fall bear hunts. It’s an unguided hunt, but you get to use one of the lodges’ boats or vehicles during the hunt and you get the luxury of coming back every evening to cozy cabins and wonderful food. My husband John and I have been to Eagle Lodge twice and have plans to go back. You’ll need to apply for a black bear tag in advance, but the odds of drawing are fairly good. And another benefit to Prince of Wales is that there are no grizzlies on the island to worry about. I can’t say the same for hunting in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and others.? 

Maybe you are looking for an opportunity to hunt over bait and witness black bears up close and personal. My first few baited style hunts were in Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada and I grew to love it so much that I run my own baits now in Idaho with my business partner Heath. It’s so exciting watching bears from a mere ten yards away! Even though I’ve notched my tag on numerous bears, my heart still pounds with adrenaline every time I catch movement sitting on a bait. For obvious reasons, it’s a great style of hunting with bows and I’ve even taken bears with my Magnum Research .429 desert eagle pistol and .30-30 BFR revolver.  

Many opponents of baiting will tell you it’s an unfair hunt, but I can reassure you it’s never a “gimmie”. Older, mature boars get big for a reason; they’re smart and often clever around baits. You’re just hoping that their belly overrides their brain when you happen to be sitting there. The Alberta outfitter I hunted with has since retired, but Wilderness Family Outfitters in Saskatchewan is an outfitter I’ve been to numerous times and would recommend. They do a good job of keeping their baits fresh and not over-hunted, their fishing is fantastic, and their cabins are quaint.? 

The most remote adventure for black bears that I’ve ever been on was with Alaska Wilderness Enterprises. Joe Letarte is a seasoned Alaskan Outfitter and his black bear/grizzly baited combo hunt is incredible! You fly in on a float plane and camp out on a peninsula. A raft boat takes you to your stands every day and during any downtime you have, fishing for northern pike is half the fun. I’ve never done a baited hunt in the lower 48 with an outfitter, but I’m sure there are some fantastic ones.? 

If you’re looking for a bear hunt with hounds, you’ll need to find a reputable, experienced houndsman. I was lucky enough to draw a Utah bear tag in 2021. Although I’ve hunted mountain lions with hounds numerous times, it was the only time I’ve done a black bear hunt using dogs. I went with TJ Pace of T Bar Outfitters out of Juan County. It was an amazing adventure and I learned a ton about that style of hunting. It’s often just as physically demanding as a spot and stalk style hunt since you have no control how far and through what terrain the bear will lead you around the mountains. Watching the incredible hounds at work is a sight to see. It’s exciting when you’re following the distant echoes of the baying hounds only to reach the base of a tree and stare up into the beady eyes of a beautiful black bear. It’s a rare opportunity in hunting when you get to almost stop time, sit under an apex predator perched above you, and simply enjoy the moment. 

Cedar Mountain Outfitters is another reputable outfit that provides an over-the-counter black bear hunt with hounds in Arizona.?The accommodations are great, Branden Chevrefils and his hounds are amazing, and the landscape is spectacular. 

There are many things to consider when planning your first bear hunt, including what part of the country, what time of year you’d like to go, what weapon you’d like to use, and what style of adventure you’re looking for. I hope this article gives all of you new bear enthusiasts a good starting point and helps you get excited to try bear hunting.