A mature boar’s head is quite wide, and will have a thicker, stouter neck.
Big Game Spotlight

Black Bear Hunts

Black bear hunting may be the most popular big game animal next to whitetails.

Gary Colbath with a great archery color phase black bear he killed in Alaska.Black bear hunting in alaska

Alaska Black Bear Hunting Trips

Bill Johnson with an Alberta black bear double!The hunting territory is exclusive to the outfitter. Residents do not have access to hunt.

Alberta Black Bear Hunting Trips

OI Endorsed black bear hunting outfitters in ArizonaWhite Mountain Apache Reservation Bear Hunts

Arizona Black Bear Hunts

Spot and Stalk Archery British Columbia Black Bear HuntBear hunting in British Columbia

British Columbia Black Bear Hunting Trips

A nice Colorado black bear

Colorado Black Bear Hunting Trips

Mat, Russ and Cory with an archery Idaho bearIdaho Frank Church Wilderness Spring Black Bear Hunts

Idaho Black Bear Hunting Trips

Montana Black Bear HuntingMontana Black Bear Hunting

Montana Black Bear Hunting Trips

New Brunswick Black Bear Hunting LodgeNew Brunswick bear hunt with a crossbow.

New Brunswick Black Bear Hunting Trips

This Saskatchewan Hunting Lodge truly offers you a chance at a record book bear!saskatchewan bear hunts

Saskatchewan Black Bear Hunting Trips

Washington also offers two bear tags per hunter, which makes these hunts even more attractive.Spot-and-Stalk Black Bear Hunt in Washington

Washington Black Bear Hunting Trips

Wyoming Black Bear HuntA great wyoming black bear

Wyoming Black Bear Hunting Trips

Black bear hunts are relatively affordable when compared to most other big game species. Be careful though, because the hunt you book needs to be with a vetted outfitter who operates in a good area with the trophy potential you’re looking for. You also need to consider your physical condition as well as your budget. Schedule a consultation so that we can help you book the perfect black bear hunting trip.

Where to go black bear hunting

Where to go black bear hunting depends on a number of different factors, including techniques, preference, trophy size and seasons. Many states and all of the Canadian provinces have bear seasons, each with their own pros and cons. Do you want to hunt over bait? With dogs or spot-and-stalk? You need to also consider if you want a classic black coloration, or a “color phase” bear. Is trophy size important to you? If so, you need to hunt where big bears live.
  • Some states and provinces offer spring bear hunts where you can hunt over bait from a tree stand or blind.
  • Some states allow black bear hunting with hounds.
  • In the East, game drives are a traditional and successful method.
  • In Western regions, hunts are typically spot-and-stalk.
  • Another cool thing about black bears is that they come in a variety of color phases, and we know where to send you if that’s what you’re after.
The story behind Bob Steed’s World Record Grizzly Bear
World Record Grizzly Bear

The new world record grizzly bear goes 9 ½ feet with a 28 ½ inch [...]

Where to Hunt the Biggest Black Bears in the World

If you want to hunt the biggest black bears in the World, here are the [...]

Black bear hunting
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Choosing where to hunt black bears go can be daunting, but there are some places [...]

Russ is good at hunting black bears in the spring. Here he is with a giant Spring bear in Idaho
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The habits of black bears just coming out of hibernation and how to use them [...]

This is one of our best outfitters and his moose hunts are amazing.
Utah Conservation Permits

The Utah Conservation Permit Program provides hunting permits to conservation organizations to be auctioned at [...]

Elk hunters at sunrise
Top 5 Dream Hunts According to a Poll of Over 1,000 Hunters

We recently completed a survey asking hunters what their top five dream hunts would be. [...]

A giant brown bear taken by an OI client on the Alaska Peninsula
The Biggest Brown Bears Come From….

Everyone knows they come from Kodiak Island in Alaska...right? Wrong! Most people are under that [...]

Super Slam of North American Big Game
Super Slam of North American Big Game

To qualify for the Super Slam of North American Big Game®, a hunter must have [...]

Hunter checking out the teeth on his black brear
Spring Black Bear Hunting Gear List

The gear you take on a spring bear hunt is much different than what you’d [...]

Russ Meyer's recurve.
Russ Meyer: Hosted Alaska Brown Bear Hunt Report

TRIP TAKEN: Baited Bear Hunt in Alaska CONSULTANT/HOST: Russ Meyer, Outdoors International June, 2018 Russ [...]

Russ Meyer with a big BC archery black bear
Russ Meyer: British Columbia Archery Black Bear Hunt Report

In the past when I had asked him about his black bear hunting he always [...]

Dogs baying a polar bear.
Planning a Polar Bear Hunt

Hunting in the Arctic is undoubtedly the most physically demanding hunt that a modern day [...]

I’ll never forget the smile on Darin’s face and the excitement in his eyes. We both experienced that awesome adrenalin dump and laughed at my uncontrollable leg tremor.
Over The Counter Hunts in Arizona

Many hunters don't realize that Arizona hunts aren't all limited entry and hard to draw. [...]

Moose hunting in Alaska
Our 10 Most Popular Hunting Destinations

Every year hunters from all over the world are drawn to our top 10 most [...]

Planning a DIY Hunt in Alaska
OI PODCAST: Planning a DIY Hunt in Alaska with Kyle Hanson

This podcast is absolutely loaded with information that will put your mind at ease as [...]

Non Resident Hunting in Alberta is incredible!
Non Resident Hunting in Alberta – What you need to know.

Alberta is a hunter friendly province with lots of opportunities for non-residents. Here is a [...]

New World Record brown bear
New World Record Brown Bear

On May, 2018 on the Alaska Peninsula, Chris Cammack, broke Jack Brittingham’s record for the [...]

Predator Calling
Learn to Call Coyotes – A guide to predator calling.

Predator hunting during the off-season is great fun and no other type of hunting quite [...]

Russ Meyer on How to Hunt Black Bears
Learn How to Hunt Black Bears – OI Podcast with Russ Meyer

Baiting for bears is really pretty easy if you just want to have a few [...]

How to Call in a Black Bear
Learn How to Call in a Black Bear – OI Podcast with Clay Owens

Clay Owens and Cory Glauner talk quickly about predator calling for black bears. This podcast [...]

Kyle with his 2021 Idaho spring bear
Kyle Hanson: Idaho Spring Black Bear Hunt Report

HUNT: Idaho Frank Church Wilderness Spring Black Bear Hunt CONSULTANT: Outdoors International April, 2021 Another [...]

I was fortunate to take two old mature bears on this trip.
Kyle Hanson: Idaho Spring Bear Hunt Report

HUNT: Idaho Frank Church Wilderness Black Bear CONSULTANT: Outdoors International May, 2022 Another epic Idaho [...]

Kyle Hanson with a nice Idaho black bear
Kyle Hanson: Idaho Black Bear Hunt Report

My Idaho Black Bear hunt was simply amazing. I honestly had no idea I would [...]

This was my second time black bear hunting with this outfitter and it may not be the last.
Kyle Hanson: BC Archery Black Bear Hunt Report

HUNT: British Columbia Spot & Stalk Black Bear Hunt CONSULTANT: Outdoors International May 29 – [...]

Polar bear eating a seal
Inconvenient Truth About Polar Bears

Let’s discuss the “inconvenient truth” about polar bears. Did you see what I did there?

Hunting in Europe
Hunting in Europe

Europe offers a diverse range of locations that cater to every hunter’s preference. From breathtaking [...]

Horses are the primary mode of transportation when hunting in Asia.
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Hunting in Asia is a grand adventure. The world’s largest continent, it holds more varieties [...]

Hunting during the black bear rut
Hunting During the Black Bear Rut

Arguably, the best time to hunt black bears is a magical few weeks in the [...]

How to Square a Bear Hide

Most hunters are more interested in how to square a bear hide than it's official [...]

how to score a bear skull
How to Measure a Bear Skull

Most hunters are more interested in how to square a bear hide than it’s official [...]

Archery southeast alaska brown bear hunt
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Brown bears don’t like being surprised, so you need a solid game plan, the ability [...]

Black bear hunting in Alberta with a trad bow
How to Hunt Black Bears

With so many choices it can be hard to ow to hunt black bears. Do [...]

High Water Bear Hunt
High Water Bear Hunt

Idaho spring bear hunting was quite an adventure to say the least. Idaho had WAY [...]

Grilled, Spice Bear Tenderloin Recipe
Grilled, Spice Bear Tenderloin Recipe

Black bear is great eating, and this is a highly recommended recipe.

Gear List for a Guided Grizzly Bear and Caribou Hunt
Gear List for a Guided Grizzly Bear and Caribou Hunt

Guided Alaskan grizzly bear and caribou hunts are some of the most sought after hunts [...]

Field Judging Grizzly Bears
Field Judging Grizzly Bears

Bears are notoriously difficult to judge in the field, and can sometimes be the hardest [...]

Field Judging a Brown Bear
Field Judging Brown Bears

When booking their brown bear hunt, every hunter envisions taking a monster boar. But that’s [...]

Field Judging Black bears
Field Judging Black Bears

Field judging Black Bears can be a tricky proposition. Add in identifying and sorting boars [...]

Eurasian Brown Bear
Eurasian Brown Bears – Where and How to Hunt Them

This is a different spin on brown bear hunting with a higher success rate than [...]

A big bear at the Fish and Game office in Kodiak.
Difference Between Brown and Grizzly Bear

More than 32,000 brown bears call Alaska home! Even though there are technically two subspecies [...]

Cory with his... umm.... we'll just say "huge" Washington black bear.
Cory Glauner: Washington Black Bear Hunt Report

Cory Glauner and Brandon Couchman head to Washington state to hunt over-sized black bears.

Cory Glauner landing in Kodiak
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I knew for a fact that at any moment I would either spot a huge [...]

One Thing I Love About Spring Bear Hunting is that it’s a Family Affair.
Cory Glauner: Idaho DIY Archery Black Bear Hunt Report

I hardly ever draw tags, but this season, all that changed. I drew a coveted [...]

Black bear hunting in Idaho
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Last weekend while archery elk hunting I spotted this color phase black bear and even [...]

Bear hunting with the kids
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After a long season of guiding hunts, Cory Glauner shoots a small bear with his [...]

Cory with his 2016 archery black bear.
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My 2016 bear hunting season was one for the books. Hunted down to the wire, [...]

Cory Glauner and Outdoors International client Bruce Templeton with a giant 10' 4" Alaska Peninsula brown bear.
Cory Glauner: Alaska Peninsula Brown Bear Hunt Report

OI Founder and Co-owner Cory Glauner went on a brown bear hunt in Alaska Peninsula with [...]

Color Phase Black Bears
Color Phase Black Bears

Black isn't the only color they come in. Color phase black bears range from black [...]

Charcoal Grilled Leg of Bear Recipe
Charcoal Grilled Leg of Bear Recipe

Black bear is great eating if you cook it right. Try this tried and true [...]

Fishing Rods
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Are you an avid hunter and angler looking for a unique adventure? Cast and blast [...]

Brown bear
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There are currently eight different brown bear subspecies that are recognized by Safari Club International. [...]

Bear viewing on Afognak
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If you stick to this brown bear hunting gear list, you’ll have everything you need [...]

Braiden Glauner with a nice Idaho black bear
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Cory Glauner and his daughter Braiden go spot-and-stalk black bear hunting in Idaho with their [...]

The bear we called Toad.
Blazing Saddles – My Quest for a Huge Black Bear in Idaho

I’d like to say that it ended with a hero shot of me and my [...]

Brown bear hunting on Kodiak Island in Alaska
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Let’s talk about the best calibers for brown bear, because you’re not going to find [...]

Bear Roast Recipe
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I don't understand all of the hate that black bear meat gets.... especially if it's [...]

A blonde bear on a bait
Bear Hunts Over Bait – What you need to know to up your odds.

Hunting for baited bear can be a lot of fun because of the amount of [...]

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Successful bear baiting is a bit of an art form. Through the school of hard [...]

Asian 8 Award
Asia 8 SCI Continental Award

Required 8 species taken from their native habitat. Rifle & Bow requirements are the same. 

This amazing archery bull was taken in one of the best elk units in Arizona Unit 5B North.
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Unit 5B in Northern Arizona offers many hunting opportunities for the non-resident hunting. Easier to [...]

Muzzleloader elk hunts in Arizona
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Black bear hunting trips
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American black bears (Ursus americanus) evolved from bears that traveled from Asia to North America [...]

Client Spotlight

OI Black Bear Hunters

#oitaggedout
Jarahn Newman

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-PO

#OITAGGEDOUT
Jason Brule

Black Bear, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-AEH, United States, Wyoming

#OITAGGEDOUT
Joshua Cagle

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-PO

Outdoors International client Randy Posey with his DIY Alaska black bear.
Randy Posey

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, Outfitter #OI-SAC, United States

#oitaggedout
Caleb Macko

Alberta, Black Bear, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-LWO

#oitaggedout
Bill Johnson

Alberta, Black Bear, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-LWO

#oitaggedout
Caleb Macko

Alberta, Black Bear, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-LWO

#oitaggedout
Bert Chandler

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-PO

#oitaggedout
Michael Hardwick

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, Outfitter #OI-OLO, United States

#oitaggedout
Jonie Rowell

Arizona, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Ron Cherry

Alberta, Black Bear, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-WSO

#oitaggedout
Danny Simonson

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, Outfitter #OI-WMO, United States

#oitaggedout
Khaled Rabie

Alaska, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-BFAD, United States

#oitaggedout
Kyle Hanson

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, Outfitter #OI-WMO, United States

#oitaggedout
John LaBanc

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-BLGO

#oitaggedout
Kyle Hanson

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-PO

#oitaggedout
Kyle Hanson

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, Outfitter #OI-WMO, United States

#oitaggedout
Allen Sherwood

Black Bear, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-LLO, Saskatchewan

#oitaggedout
Tony Niess

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, Outfitter #OI-OLO, United States

#oitaggedout
Kael Anderson

Arizona, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Chris Anderson

Arizona, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Judith McClean

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, Outfitter #OI-WMO, United States

#oitaggedout
Charlie Donehue

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, Outfitter #OI-KO, United States

#oitaggedout
John LaBanc

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, Outfitter #OI-WMO, United States

#oitaggedout
Kyle Hanson

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, Outfitter #OI-WMO, United States

#oitaggedout
Jace Myers

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, Outfitter #OI-WMO, United States

#oitaggedout
Brian Reinhart – Black Bear

Alaska, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-BAKO, United States

#oitaggedout
Paul Julander’s Son

Arizona, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-HDTH, United States

#oitaggedout
Daniel Clodfelter

Alaska, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-AOU, United States

#oitaggedout
Kyle Hanson

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, Outfitter #OI-WMO, United States

#oitaggedout
Daniel Simonson

Black Bear, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-DDO, United States, Wyoming

#oitaggedout
Michael Hickey

Arizona, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Maria Glatt

Alaska, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-AOU, United States

#oitaggedout
Braiden Glauner

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Trevor Sheperd

Arizona, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
James Parkinson – Black Bear

Alaska, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-SRL, United States

#oitaggedout
Angela Myrick

Arizona, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Dale Parrish

Arizona, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Jeff Cullumber

Arizona, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Trevor Sheperd

Arizona, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Zac Dickerson

Arizona, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Webb Glauner

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, United States

Russ Meyer and OI client Travis Browne with BC archery black bears. #oitaggedout
Russ Meyer and Travis Browne – Black Bear

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-TOA

#oitaggedout
Scott Penman – Black Bear

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-TOA

#oitaggedout
Mathew Nickles – Black Bear

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-TOA

#oitaggedout
Chloe Hickey

Arizona, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Chris Bowen

Black Bear, Hunting, North America, United States, Utah

#oitaggedout
Jeff Fox – Black Bear

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-PO

#oitaggedout
Kevin Schmitcke – Black Bear

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-BLGO

#oitaggedout
Michael Connor

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Mark Wood

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Chuck Farnam

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Cory Glauner

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Mark Erskine – Black Bear

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-PO

#oitaggedout
Devin Jensen – Black Bear

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-CIA

#oitaggedout
Dan Szafranski – Black Bear

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-PO

#oitaggedout
George Morris – Black Bear

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-CIA

#oitaggedout
Jared Griffith

Alaska, Black Bear, Brown Bear, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-AOU, United States

#oitaggedout
Jared Griffith

Alaska, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-AOU, United States

#oitaggedout
Anonymous Hunter

Alberta, Black Bear, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-MLO

#oitaggedout
Cory Glauner

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, Outfitter #OI-OLO, United States

#oitaggedout
Mat Cervantes

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, Outfitter #OI-KO, United States

#oitaggedout
Cory Glauner

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Bruce Kuck – Black Bear

Alaska, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-UGA, United States

#oitaggedout
Brandon Couchman

Black Bear, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-OLO, United States, Washington

#oitaggedout
Rick Cudlipp – Black Bear

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-PO

#oitaggedout
Jared Griffith – Black Bear

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-PO

#oitaggedout
Russ Meyer – Black Bear

Black Bear, British Columbia, Canada, Hunting, North America, Outfitter #OI-PO

#oitaggedout
Richard Seago

Alaska, Black Bear, Hunting, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
OI Client

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Cory Glauner

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, United States

#oitaggedout
Cory Glauner

Black Bear, Hunting, Idaho, North America, United States

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I didn't think an experience like this was possible.

This trip, was, for me at least not just a trip, for me it was a real adventure, a real experience. I love the wilderness and this trip afforded me the opportunity to connect with the Alaskan wilderness in ways very few people do. It was an experience I will never forgot in a place I can’t wait to get back to.

Oliver Fischer

The outfitter handled everything perfectly.

We were thankful that Outdoors International hooked us up with a great outfitter because they were able to find us an acceptable alternate on short notice. Overall the two year process to get this float in was seamless and worry free. Just like it should be.

Thank you, Stan Masneri

What an amazing experience!

The lodge was out of this world! Our rooms, the delicious food, the incredible wildlife and the scenery were amazing. Our photo safari guide was truly exceptional and had us on animals almost constantly. We saw over 30 different species and had some incredible up close experiences. Africa is amazing!

Scott Navares

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