Black Bear Hunting

Next to whitetail deer, black bear hunting may be the most popular big game hunt. Their population is estimated to be over 600,000 in North America, making them the most common bear of all species. Twice that of all other bear species combined in the world.

Spot-and-stalk, over bait, behind hounds…there are lots of ways to hunt black bears. How do you want to hunt?

28 States and all of Canada have Black Bear Hunting Seasons

Because they are so common, black bear hunts are an often overlooked bargain in the hunting world.

It’s actually quite surprising that a guided bear hunt isn’t more expensive. Especially considering all that is involved…preparing bait sites in remote areas, training hounds, etc. They typically start at about $2,000 for the cheaper options, and can be up over $5,000 for higher-end trophy hunts in the best areas.

We offer some great black bear hunts:

Spring bear hunts over bait.
Fall spot-and-stalk hunts.
Hound hunts.
Areas with high numbers of color-phase bears.

With so many choices out there, it can be hard to sort through all of the cheap hunts to find a good one. Luckily, OUTDOORS INTERNATIONAL can help. Be sure to talk to us before you book, so we can steer you towards a good, vetted outfitter with a proven track record of putting hunters on good boars. We’ve been on all of these hunts ourselves and they have our stamp of approval.

Alaska, Alberta, Idaho & Saskatchewan

Baited Bear Hunts

LEARN MORE

It should come as no surprise that our hunters who book bargain hunts DO NOT leave good hunt reports.

Where the money is saved, is usually in baiting. It takes a lot of man hours, fuel and bait costs to run a good bait for weeks before you ever show up. On a cheap hunt that is where the money is saved to get you your “deal.” This is where you will need to remind yourself that you get what you pay for.

Contact us to discuss pricing or get more information about one of our hunts.

What Determines a Trophy Black Bear

There are different factors to look when you’re field judging a black bear.

Bears are notoriously difficult to judge! Before you go on your hunt, be sure to learn how to field judge and determine what type of bear you’re looking for. A bear that squares over six feet? One that has a huge pumpkin head and makes Boone and Crockett? A color-phase bear maybe?… Oh the choices!

If you’re new to bear hunting, every bear looks like a big bear.

Cory Glauner with his big Idaho archery black bear

Cory Glauner, co owner of Outdoors International with his big Idaho, spot-and-stalk archery black bear.

The smallest of North America’s three bear species, black bears are typically about 4-7 feet long and weigh anywhere from 150-600 pounds. There is nearly no mistaking a big boar though, how they move and how they conduct themselves, especially when around other bears. They will without fail rule every roost they roll into. Other bears will openly display caution and fear when they make an appearance at the party. Big is big, and nearly anyone can identify one…. however that is not the case with a borderline shooter. Know how to tell.

Five Tips for Field Judging Black Bears

Confirm the sex, and ensure that there are no cubs.
A big bear will walk with ‘swagger’ and seem to have an arrogant attitude, making other, smaller bears nervous.
If you’re hunting over bait, you can compare the size of the bear to the bait barrel.
A big bear will have ears that look small, and jut out from the sides of the head, while younger bears will have pointed ears that are close together.
An old boar will look to have short, squat legs, and a saggy belly.

Download the Boone and Crockett Score Sheets

Russ Meyer and Travis Browne bear hunting double

Russ Meyer and Travis Browne got an archery double in British Columbia.

There are lots of different ways to hunt black bears.

In some states and provinces, bears are hunted over bait with the hunter in a tree stand or blind. Some states allow bear hunting with dogs, and in other regions, drives are a traditional and successful method. In western regions, hunts are typically spot-and-stalk, and calling can also be effective. How do you want to hunt?

Hunting Bears Over Bait

By far, the most common way to hunt black bears is over bait. Hunting for bears over bait can be a lot of fun because of the amount of activity you will have if you are with the right outfitter in the right area. However, before you choose who you will be hunting with, so be sure to get in touch with us so we can make sure that you’re booking with a quality outfitter. *While baiting is mostly a black bear affair, we do offer a great baited brown bear hunt in Alaska as well.

Spring hunts over bait allow you to hunt the black bear rut.

Black bears breed from mid May into early June. The rut is a great time to hunt big, mature males as they roam looking for a sow in heat. The best way to hunt big rutting males is over a bait.

Bear Hunting with Dogs

Hound hunting can be a thrilling way to hunt bears. There’s nothing quite like the sound of dogs baying to fire up your hunting instincts. Once you “strike” a bear, the chase is on and it’s usually non-stop action from there. The hounds, alongside a truly skilled houndsman, will make for an experience you will never forget. If you are an adrenalin loving hunter, this is the hunt for you!

We work with some great outfitters who offer black bear hunting with dogs in Idaho, Arizona, and British Columbia.

Spot-and-Stalk Hunting

To stalk a bear takes time, patience and skill. You must play the wind, as black bears have a notoriously keen sense of smell, and they hear well as well. You may fool their sight, but it’s tough to get close, especially if you’re hunting with a bow. Start by getting up high but below the snow line and looking for the greenest areas you can find. Bears will seek out the greenest tallest grasses to fill their bellies. They seek out areas such as creek bottoms and south facing slopes to find new growth. They also love to feed on wild flowers, plant roots, clovers and wild onions. 75% of their diet is vegetation. They get the rest of their nutrition needs met feeding on insects, small mammals and carcasses.

We have some amazing spot-and-stalk bear hunting opportunities. Get in touch with us if you’d like to learn more.

Black Bear on the beach at Prince of Wales Island

Stalking bears as they forage on the beach is pretty cool.

Vessel-Based Hunts

A very cool way to hunt bears is from a vessel in British Columbia or Alaska, cruising the coastal shorelines and glassing the tidal flats produce plenty of stalking opportunities. You’ll usually be hunting big salmon-fed bears just coming out of hibernation in areas with high bear populations. Large boars with perfect hides are the norm. A bonus on these vessel-based hunts is that you can combo for waterfowl, blacktail deer, and/or a cast-and-blast trip if you’d like to do some fishing.

These hunts are very limited, so contact us as soon as possible if you’re interested.

Calling in black bears can be incredibly fun.

Calling Black Bears

When you’re calling black bears, use a jackrabbit/bear cub distress sound…being as “sorrowful” as possible. Call loudly and don’t let up for 20 up to 40 minutes. Seeing bears before you begin to call always ups your odds of success. Listen to our podcast with predator hunting master, Clay Owens about calling in black bears to learn more.

Hunt the Food Sources

Notorious for loving berries, black bears feed primarily on vegetation, but round out their diet with insects, fish, small mammals and carcasses of dead animals. They are also fond of preying on moose and elk calves.

Hunting clear cuts and old logging roads in the spring is a great way to find bears grazing on the fresh grass.

Color Phase Black Bears

Black bears aren’t always black but vary in color from black to chocolate, blonde and even cinnamon or grey color phases.

Black is by far the most common color, and in most areas, that’s virtually the only color you’ll find. If you’re after a color-phase bear, you need to hunt in the right area. Color phases are more common in the western US. The rare bluish-gray color phase, “Glacier bear” is found in Alaska, and the all-white “Kermode bear” occurs on several islands in coastal British Columbia. Let us know if you’d like to learn more.

How to Identify a Black Bear

The defining identification is their flat shoulders and straight profiled face. Because they can climb better than almost any other bear species and can run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, uphill or downhill for short distances, these bears can still be dangerous and deserve our respect. Black bears are also excellent swimmers and enjoy a good swim. This is partially due to the fact that where there’s water there’s green grass to graze, and there’s usually fish in water, so black bears spend a decent amount of the time around rivers, lakes and streams.

Black bears tend to be loners, and are timid and withdrawn, avoiding confrontations. Preferring a solitary lifestyle, black bears tend to mark trees with their teeth and claws in order to warn other bears not to enter their territory. In order to warn other predators and intruders that do enter their territory they make curious snorting, jaw popping, and huffing sounds.

Let us know if you'd like to talk to us about booking a hunt.

A great bear taken on our Alberta bear hunts with a trad bow

If you want to hunt big bears, you have to hunt where big bears live.

The Best Places to Hunt Black Bears

Choosing where to hunt can be daunting, but here are the best places to hunt black bears in our opinion.

The American black bear (Ursus americanus) evolved from bears that traveled from Asia to North America on the Bering Land Bridge about 8 million years ago. Like their Asian ancestors, the black bear is omnivorous. Because it is able to thrive in a variety of different environmental conditions and is incredibly resourceful, it was able to survive the last ice age, while other, less adaptable predators became extinct. About 10,000 years ago, it is widely believed, that the black bear was the only bear living in North America before brown bears migrated south from what is now known as Alaska and the Yukon territories.

Which area you choose to hunt, depends on whether 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. We can help with all of this.

Alaska

An estimated 100,000 black bears inhabit Alaska. Statewide, the annual harvest increased steadily between 2003 and 2007, from about 2,500 to 3,250 bears. On an Alaska black bear hunt, color can vary from jet black to white. Another cool thing about Alaska is that you can combo a baited black bear hunt with other big game species, including brown bears.

Take multiple bears on one hunt.
Great coastal spot-and-stalk opportunities.
Big bear potential.
Combo with brown bears over bait!

Alberta

Since Alberta has a two-bear limit, it’s a great destination for your hunt. Another great thing about Alberta that’s great, is that there are a good number of color-phase bears. In fact, our hunters average 25% on colored bears ranging from blonde to cinnamon or chocolate.

Spring hunting season.
Hunt over bait.
Two bear limit.
Color phase bears are common.

Arizona

Very few hunters realize that the black bear hunting in Arizona is VERY good. With a great population of record book size black bears, it is a good place to hunt. 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.

Spring and Fall seasons.
Lots of color phase bears.
Unique place to hunt bears while they’re feeding on prickly pears in the desert flats.
Spot-and-stalk only.
Our hunt on the White Mountain Apache Reservations DOES allow hunting with dogs and over bait.

British Columbia

Coastal British Columbia arguably has the largest population of black bears per square mile in North America. The mild climate provides the bears with a very long feeding season starting early in the spring and ending late in the fall on the salmon spawning rivers. With abundant food and low hunting pressure, it’s easy to see why coastal bears grow to such a large size.

Highest population density in North America.
Good numbers of trophy boars.
Great place to do a spot-and-stalk hunt in the spring.
Coastal hunting opportunities.

Idaho

Idaho has a healthy population of black bears, with most of them being color phase. This state also has generous spring and fall seasons and hunters can hunt bears over bait, with hounds, or spot-and-stalk.

High numbers of color phase bears.
Spring and Fall hunting seasons.
Bear hunting with dogs is legal in Idaho.
Baiting is legal.
Some two-bear units.
Nonresident deer and elk tags may also be used to harvest a black bear or mountain lion.

Saskatchewan

If you’re looking for an exceptional spring black bear hunt with the potential for the bear of a lifetime, Saskatchewan should be considered. This province offers a true chance for a book bear, and is affordable when compared to other bear hunts of a similar caliber.

High population densities.
Good numbers of trophy sized bears.
Spring hunts over bait.
Affordable when compared to other areas.

Washington

Bear hunting Washington provides some of the best opportunity for trophy bear hunting in the country. The use of hounds or bait have been illegal for years now, and these bears have gone unpressured and get big!

High densities.
Low hunting pressure.
Fall spot-and-stalk hunting only.
No baiting or hound hunting allowed.

Gear for Hunting Over Bait

Suggested Gear List for Spring Bear Hunts Over Bait

Spring isn’t just for turkey hunting! Big game hunters take advantage of this time of year to hunt bears. The gear you take on these hunts is different than what you’d take on a fall bear hunt.

The weather during spring bear season can vary widely, swinging from pleasant and sunny to wind, rain, and even snow….all in one day. You need to bring gear to cover all of those situations, while staying lightweight.

Travel and Camp Gear

Passport and Airline ticket
Personal first-aid items (ie. Aspirin, Motrin, Tums, prescriptions, band-aids, lip balm, extra glasses, insect repellent, etc.).
Toiletries (ie. soap, shampoo, unscented deodorant, etc.).
Jeans, T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Sweatpants, etc. for lounging around the camp and/or after the hunt.
Camp Shoes (ie. sneakers, slippers)
Sleeping bag and pad.

Bear bait

Hunting Clothing should be medium to lightweight for the typical hunt.

Temperatures can vary, therefore we suggest taking two sets. One for cool to mild weather, another for warm to hot weather. Any camo pattern is fine (ie. Sitka, Kuiu, Realtree, Mossyoak, etc.).

Rain gear (head to toe). Camo, quiet type.
Bug suit and/or mosquito head net.
Thermacell
Thermal underwear (lightweight).
Gloves
Multiple pair of socks.
Rubber Boots. Leather/Goretex boots are fine, however make sure they are waterproof.
Camo hat with brim.
Orange hat with brim and vest (if required).
Sunglasses

If you don’t want to purchase gear that you won’t use again after your moose hunt, check out www.rgunsngear.com. What a cool program!
Be sure to use OIGET10 at checkout to get your discount.

Hunting Gear

Rifle with scope – 270, 30.06, 300, 338, 7mm, etc. & ammo. If flying, do not pack ammo in gun case. Must be packed in your other gear bag on airplane.
Archery hunters – Bow, arrows, broadheads, hand release, and all other related equipment.
Treestand or Ground Blind
Rangefinder
Hard gun/bow case with locks (for airplane transport).
A soft gun/bow case to transport rifle/bow to and from stand.
Binoculars
Lens pen for cleaning binoculars & scope.
Compass
Wristwatch
Knife
Flashlight/Headlamp with extra batteries
Matches
Backpack/Fanny Pack with Water Bottle and/or Thermos.
Camera/Video Camera & Film

Gear to take on a Spot-and-Stalk Hunt

Suggested Gear List for a Typical Western Hunt

Optics

Buy the highest quality optics that you can afford.

❏ Binoculars (Quality 8’s or 10’s)
❏ Spotting Scope
❏ Tripod
❏ Rangefinder
❏ Bino Harness
❏ Phone Skope
❏ Lens Cloth
❏ Defogger

Backcountry hunting

If you’re a backcountry diy hunter, this gear list is accompanied by a podcast with Steve Speck of EXO Mountain Gear is must listen if you want to go on a backcountry, backpack hunt.

Rifle Hunts

Use enough gun. We suggest these calibers: .270 Winchester; 7mm Remington Magnum; .30-06 Springfield; .300 WSM; .300 Winchester Magnum; .300 Weatherby Magnum; 30 Nosler; .338 RCM; or .338 Winchester Magnum. Other options might be: 6.5 Creedmoor; .280 Ackley Improved; or 28 Nosler.

❏ Rifle
❏ Shells (at least one box)
❏ Scope (with rain cover)
❏ Sling
❏ Shooting Sticks
❏ Soft Rifle Case
❏ Hard Rifle Case
❏ Gun Cleaning Kit

Archery Hunts

The Outdoors International team shoots Hoyt.

❏ Bow *check regulations in the state you are hunting
❏ Arrows (at least one doz.)
❏ Broadheads *check regulations in the state you are hunting
❏ Release *an extra release is recommended
❏ Soft Bow Case
❏ Hard Bow Case

Personal Items

❏ Lip Balm
❏ Towel
❏ Insect Repellant
❏ Sunscreen
❏ Moleskin for blisters
❏ Super Glue
❏ Prescription Medication
❏ WD-40
❏ Duct Tape
❏ Pain Reliever
❏ Extra Glasses and/or Contacts
❏ Quality Polarized Sunglasses
❏ Personal Toiletries
❏ Camera
❏ Video Camera and/or GoPro
❏ Extra Batteries for all Electronics

*This is a sample/generic gear list. For more specific details for the time of year you are traveling to, we recommend checking with your outfitter, hunting consultant or your destination’s local Wildlife Management Agency.

Native to North America, the black bear is the most common and widely distributed bear species in the World.

28 States and all of Canada have Black Bear Hunting Seasons

Because they are so common, black bear hunts are an often overlooked bargain in the hunting world.

We offer some great black bear hunts:

Outfitter List

Alaska

Alaska Black Bear Hunt

Alberta

Alberta Bear Hunts

Arizona

Black Bear Hunting Arizona

British Columbia

British Columbia Black Bear Hunting

Idaho

Black Bear Hunting in Idaho

Saskatchewan

Black Bear Hunting Saskatchewan

Washington

Bear Hunting Washington

Baited Bear Hunts

Baited Bear Hunts

It should come as no surprise that our hunters who book bargain hunts DO NOT leave good hunt reports.

What Determines a Trophy Black Bear

There are different factors to look when you’re field judging a black bear.

If you’re new to bear hunting, every bear looks like a big bear.

Five Tips for Field Judging Black Bears

There are lots of different ways to hunt black bears.

Hunting Bears Over Bait

Spring hunts over bait allow you to hunt the black bear rut.

Bear Hunting with Dogs

Spot-and-Stalk Hunting

Vessel-Based Hunts

Calling Black Bears

Hunt the Food Sources

Color Phase Black Bears

Black bears aren’t always black but vary in color from black to chocolate, blonde and even cinnamon or grey color phases.

How to Identify a Black Bear

The Best Places to Hunt Black Bears

Choosing where to hunt can be daunting, but here are the best places to hunt black bears in our opinion.

Alaska

Alberta

Arizona

British Columbia

Idaho

Saskatchewan

Washington

Gear Lists for a Bear Hunt

Gear for Hunting Over Bait

Suggested Gear List for Spring Bear Hunts Over Bait

Spring isn’t just for turkey hunting! Big game hunters take advantage of this time of year to hunt bears. The gear you take on these hunts is different than what you’d take on a fall bear hunt.

Travel and Camp Gear

Hunting Clothing should be medium to lightweight for the typical hunt.

Hunting Gear

Gear to take on a Spot-and-Stalk Hunt

Suggested Gear List for a Typical Western Hunt

Apparel

Footwear

Hunting Accessories

Optics

Rifle Hunts

Archery Hunts

Personal Items

Black Bear Hunting Success

OUTDOORS INTERNATIONAL hunters have enjoyed tremendous success on some great boars over the years.