So I think I want to shoot a bear….

[trophy8]

I didn’t care much about bear hunting. But I’ve got most all critters knocked down (except elk) that I “had” to kill. As time goes by, I find myself having more and more interest in a bear. Rifle is fine.

What’s the best way to go about it for the least amount I can spend? Guided. I want it to be in the lower 48. Gun or bow. Spot and stalk is preferred but not set on that.

I know exactly nothing about it. So let’s hear any info and outfitter recommendations y’all have.

[txoutdoorsman24]

Tagged. Been wanting one myself.

[trophy8]

Tagged. Been wanting one myself.

Let’s figure it out and go!

[Hills of Texas]

Arkansas. Cheap guided hunt with decent size bears. I’ve killed two on diy hunts in the national forest up there. One with a recurve and one with my compound. It’s tough hunting. The guided hunts are usually done over bait with some big bears being killed regularly. Last time I looked at outfitters up there it was 1500 to 2 k.

[Charrison]

Lots of good options. If budget is the biggest concern, I'd possibly look at Eastern Canada - Ontario, New Brunswick, etc ... prob has the most inexpensive bear hunts. They get more pricey the farther west you go into Sask and Alberta. If lower 48 is a must, there are good hound hunt outfitters in AZ and NM. Idaho has good bear numbers and probably more spot/stalk hunting. I don't have recommendations on lower 48 outfitters. All of my personal experiences have been in Canada.
Probably not looking here, but I would not recommend Vancouver Island- they do have big bears, but pricing is based more on reputation than current results and I know multiple people who went this spring and will not be going back.

[outlook8]

http://www.hellscanyonoutfitters.com/Bear-Hunting.html

Call Brad Walters - (208) 315-5172. Tell him Chris Estes sent you.

[Austin]

I have been looking into this myself but I am much more interested in Canada/ Alaska. The boat based spot and stalk hunts really interest me but they certainly are not the cheapest.

[trophy8]

It’s obvious but I should specify I’m looking for black bear. Not griz or brown bear. Too poor lol

[Dale Moser]

I know some guys who went to a newly opened reservation in AZ last year, and killed some tanks with hounds.

[bowhunterhelm]

I'm going to New Mexico on my first bear hunt next month. It's a hound hunt, bear has been on my list for a while. Bear hunts are reasonable. I'm hunting with NM Hunting Addiction, Steven Ocanna. Check them out on facebook.

[fish4food]

Following!

Definitely want to chase one with hounds. Love watching good dogs work.

[Drycreek3189]

Our own Gary Roberson can probably give you a recommendation on a reservation hunt in NM. I would surely trust his recommendation.

[trophy8]

I’m not against hunting them with hounds. But not completely sold on it either.

[Etxnoodler]

Arkansas. Cheap guided hunt with decent size bears. I’ve killed two on diy hunts in the national forest up there. One with a recurve and one with my compound. It’s tough hunting. The guided hunts are usually done over bait with some big bears being killed regularly. Last time I looked at outfitters up there it was 1500 to 2 k.

Have you seen what they have done to non resident prices?

[S-3 Ranch]

I’m not against hunting them with hounds. But not completely sold on it either.

Yeah or over bait
my bear hunt in Colorado was a tough spot and stalk and worth the effort, very much like a elk or mule deer hunt
not knocking sitting by a barrel of stale doughnuts all day or chasing hounds
but the Colorado game warden that issued my nuisance bear permit suggested it was more rewarding because the number of bears in the Trinidad area we hunted elk at would have been a chip shot, saw 105 bears in 4 days