Arizona Black Bear Hunting Trips

Arizona black bear hunting is much better than most hunters realize. The abundance of record book size black bears, coupled with the availability of over-the-counter bear tags, make our Arizona bear hunts compelling for hunters in the know.

While mule deer and elk hunting often steal the spotlight in Arizona, it’s clear that the state has more to offer, especially for those interested in pursuing black bears. The underutilized nature of these opportunities could be a hidden gem for hunters looking to diversify their experiences and potentially bag a record-sized bear. *When black bear hunting Arizona, keep in mind that the bears tend to run slightly smaller in body size than their northern counterparts, but what they may lack in body they make up for with skull size.

Arizona black bear hunting is typically a spot-and-stalk endeavor.

It is illegal to bait for bears in Arizona (other than on the Reservations), so the most effective hunting strategy for black bear hunting Arizona is finding a food source and start glassing for a monster bear. It’s a strange experience to hunt black bears down in desert country as they feed on the prickly pear cactus. The locals refer to it as “bears in the pears.” Once you find a shooter, plan a stalk.

In our experience, predator calling works surprisingly well for Arizona black bear hunting…. which can get exciting. Hound hunting is also legal in Arizona, and can be a fun option.

Ask About Arizona Black Bear Hunting

arizona Black bear hunting with hounds

The Arizona houndsman that we recommend has great success on big boars.

The combination of using hounds in the morning and glassing for bears in the evenings adds variety and adventure to the hunting trip.

The process of hunting bears with hounds, approaching the treed bear, and deciding whether to harvest it offers a unique and hands-on hunting experience. The afternoon stalks are based around the bears’ food sources adds an element of strategy to the hunt.

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Arizona Bear Hunts on the White Mountain Apache Reservation

This outfitter has been operating White Mountain Apache bear hunting since 1982, producing an impressive number of Boone and Crockett black bears. Tags are purchased by the outfitter from the Tribal Game and Fish Department. Each hunter may purchase up to two tags per year, and there can be up to four hunters in camp per week.

Specializing in trophy Arizona black bear hunting.

The White Mountain Apache Nation is home to some of the premier black bear hunting in the world. Known for having large color phase bears, the Tribal biologist estimates that 50% of all the bears on the Reservation are color phase. For this specific hunting unit, we believe this number to be even higher!

You truly have free reign to choose the type of Arizona black bear hunting experience you’re looking for.

• The outfitter has highly trained hounds that excel year round on both mountain lion and black bear.
• You can hunt over bait sites, with either a rifle or a bow.
• You can spot-and-stalk, or sit water in the hot summer months.

For the spring/summer hunting season, each outfitter is assigned their own area. This outfitter operates in Area 1. Arizona has strived to manage the bear population in this unit to produce old mature boars. It is the goal to have a sow harvest percentage of less than 10% annually. They have met that goal yearly, without fail.

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Book Your Arizona Bear Hunt

There are plenty of trophy sized bruins… and if you’re looking for a big colored bear, give Arizona a try.

Arizona black bear Hunting Outfitters
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