Best Western States for Over-the-Counter Bear Hunting

Chasing a black bear in the fall is a great way to score great meat for the freezer, build hunting skills, and learn new areas for future hunts. Here are five great western states to consider for black bear hunting over the counter as a nonresident next fall.

Oregon

With a season that opens August 1st until the end of the year, Oregon hosts undoubtedly the longest season dates for fall bear hunting. There are a lot of bears in the state, but with no baiting or dogs allowed, the only methodology of hunting bears here is spot and stalk or ambushing on food sources (think berry patches and such).

The overall hunting license is $172 for nonresidents but with an e-tag that is only $16.50 for everyone, it’s inexpensive compared to other states who have more expensive tags.

That said, there are specific instructions in the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife that prohibit bear-only hunting during the bulk of the rifle seasons for deer and elk. 

That means the best time to chase black bears is in the earliest of season dates before rifle hunting takes off. Consider burns, August berry patches and high alpine basins in September as a good starting point for habitat to key into.

Total Nonresident Cost to Hunt Bears: $188.50

Idaho

The Gem State has a handful of terrain types, with more open high country and timber pockets in the southern part of the state, with generally thicker terrain the further north one goes.

The big, steep, and rugged Frank Church Wilderness has become a favorite for people wanting to test their mettle against landscape in order to turn up the bears the live back there, too.

Fall Bear hunting in the Panhandle is similar to the experience you might find in western Montana and eastern Oregon with timber cuts, logging roads, huckleberry patches and burns dominating the best bear country.

Be prepared for steep terrain but a good chance to turn up a fall bear. 

Total Nonresident Cost to Hunt Bears: $416.75

Montana

Fewer people seem to be targeting fall bears in Montana than its neighbors to the west, but there are solid opportunities to be had there.

Montana is a great example of a state where the random nature of drawing for deer and elk can leave folks without a fall plan, and therefore is awesome as a backup, especially for future archery elk hunters.

Total Nonresident Cost to Hunt Bears: $375

Colorado

Some Colorado fall bear hunts require drawing a license, so the whole state is not over-the-counter. However, there are good numbers of bears here since the only time to hunt them is in the fall.

Like most hunting opportunities in Colorado, you will likely see other people afield. Maybe they are not black bear hunting specifically, but between possible other active seasons and the steady recreational traffic (especially when the leaves turn on the aspens) you should expect to manage human pressure in your game plans.

That said, the bear hunting can be darn good in aspen draws and oak hillsides where bears are spending a lot of time fattening up for the winter.

If you find other hunters, however, do not disregard their intel. Whether they have seen bears recently or know where recently killed big game carcasses might be, you can usually find good information to make finding bears easier.

Total Nonresident Cost to Hunt Bears: $251.75

Wyoming

The Cowboy State is not known for huge populations of bears, but folks who hunt the high country in September for an extended period of time always seem to come across bears.

Outside of core grizzly bear areas, outfitters, nonresidents, and dedicated locals alike can all bait for bears. It is a huge time and financial commitment since bears go through so much bait in the fall, but certainly effective. The important piece of hunting Wyoming bears is staying up to date on female mortality limits, which often can be reached in the fall.

Spot and stalk bear hunting can be effective in the highest elevations where there are water sources for bears to use and timber pockets for concealment.

Keep in mind, not all of Wyoming is ideal bear habitat, but the parts of it that are good habitat can make it a great fall bear hunt, even though its a little on the expensive side.

Total Nonresident Cost to Hunt Bears: $394.50

Many Consider California, Washington, Utah, and others to be great states for fall gear hunting, too. If you live in, nearest to, or have first-hand information in those states, certainly consider them as possible options. For the others mentioned above, a host of variables should go into your choice when picking your preferred state for fall bear hunting. 

Hopefully, this preliminary information helps you in your search.