US only. I know several Canadian providences have great bear hunting with realitic chances for color phase but I am looking for Western US only.


I have heard the panhandle of ID has good color phase opportunity.


I also want a spot & stalk hunt, no bait sitting for me.


Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks.

i would think ID might have a good opportunity for color phase. In SE Washington, I have never shot an actual "black" bear. three tan and one red (red not hit well and not recovered). I know of no outfitters in the area, but I'm sure you can find one in ID. might look at the Lewiston/Snake river area.

Arizona and New Mexico ! How about hounds?

I know Ann (Aspen Hill Adventures) of this site books for an outfitter in ID that has a pretty good success rate on color phase bears. I think they mostly hunt bait, but you could check with her to confirm that. Ann is real nice to work with.

I would prefer spot & stalk but would consider a hound hunt.


Thanks.

I am a bit biased as I live right next door to the White Mtn. Apache Reservation. And I can tell you that there are color phase bears in our state, and in our northern forests. I shot a chocolate brown one several years ago on the San Carlos Indian Reservation, spot and stalk in the prickly pear, and another jet black color, with hounds near Payson. I know you are not keen on bait, but it does give you a few choices....one as to sex, one as to size, another as to color. Unless you are in the middle of the prickly pear fruit feed, spot and stalk can be tough. And for hounds its tough to be choosy.
PM if you want a few suggested outfitters.

I've often thought about bear hunting "in the pears" but the very hot temps have always stopped me from booking a hunt .... August/Sept in Arizona can be miserable.

They run some hunts in Central California on mules and they bet very large off-color black bear.....really large.