3 Best U.S. States for Bear Hunting and What to Expect
Bear hunting is one of those things that a hunter (and even some non-hunters) want to check off of their bucket list. There is something about hunting about that gets your adrenaline pumping. Maybe it's the thought of the bear having the capability of killing you, which is not the case with most animals that you hunt -- like deer, duck, etc. You just don't get that same rushing feeling that you get when hunting bears when hunting other game. Of course, the chances of the bear actually hurting you is slim, and you know this, but the thrill of the hunt is still there.
If you're ready to mark bear hunting off of your bucket list, you need to know where in the United States you can go to find ample supply of this creature. While you can find bears in most states, there are some states that have more bears than others. So, for the best chances of a successful hunt, here are three states that you'll want to visit:
- Idaho
Idaho is a great place to go bear hunting because the state has one of the longest hunting seasons since it offers spring AND fall hunting seasons. In addition, there are numerous color phase bears with many areas having over 50 percent colors other than solid black. You won't have to fill out an application, bear tags are inexpensive, and there is a two-bear limit. Last, but not least, the three main types of hunting are legal (beating, hound hunting, and spot and stalk.
- Arizona
In Arizona, the bears are huge thanks to the great feeding conditions that spread across the state. One of the main foods that Arizona bears eat is the prickly pear cactus, which means you'll want to go where this cactus grows to have the best chances of getting a kill. If you go hunting when the cactus is not in season, there are still plenty of prime hunting spots, such as the San Carlos Indian Reservation. You will find lots of black bears in Arizona, but you'll also see cinnamon, chocolate and blonde bears.
- Alaska
Alaska has more black bears than you will find anywhere else in the world. However, you are going to pay the price for the ample supply of this species of animal in terms of travel expenses, as the state is probably not anywhere near where you live. However, if you go, you will have lots of opportunities to get your kill. They are very populated near coastal areas, especially large ones, and you can find both black and cinnamon-colored bears. Keep in mind that some areas will have a limit of two or three bears.
