Author Topic: What is the best but cheapest route to go black bear hunting (Read 4222 times)

ChrisK · « **on:** November 29, 2009, 12:43:49 PM »

I was wanting to go black bear hunting next year. I don't know exactly were I want to go. I am not to picky on what weapon that I would need to use either. Don't care if it is baited or spot and stalk either. I would like some good help and be pointed in a good direction. We don't have bears here in Indiana so this one reason that I would really like to go hunt one.
Thanks,
Chris Kiefner

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #1 on:** November 29, 2009, 01:52:59 PM »

I can only generalize about my findings.

First off, traveling can actually be the most expensive one item of your adventure, sharing fuel costs is only sure bet. You don't need a rail car of gear either so a smaller vehicle could be used.

Three trips to get an animal is no bargain. Good numbers of bears in the area you are hunting are important. It is hunting though so be prepared to go home empty handed. It is important to use a seasoned SUCCESFUL guide service.

You don't need your hand held at all times. Do your own cooking, run your baits yourself, bone out meat and do your own processing at home. You are paying for those services whether they are itemized or not.

If you are in a hotel limiting out early saves money. If you are with a group that intends to stay six nights regardless, or end up staying that long for unsuccesful members it may add up.

I spend $1500 my house to Ontario and back with a bear 2000 miles give or take. That is all costs, food, permits, licenses, outfitter, lodging, fuel, all of it. I have a ball and don't feel like I am being a spend thrift and living on rice and beans either. Start calling around right now let the guides know what your concerns are, you aren't the first fella with a budget. Times are tough everywhere and guides are not exempt from this economy, you with a tight budget may be the difference between red and black ink for that outfitter.

drdougrx · « **Reply #2 on:** November 29, 2009, 03:41:02 PM »

I still think going to an outfitter for a 1st trip is a deal. He'll handle almost every need that you'll have. Go to a state that has a a goodly # of bears and to an outfitter that has a good rep. A few of us here on GB can lead you in the right direction. I don't know of outfitters in your area, but I suspect that Canada isn't too far away. Maine has rather inexpensive bear hunts with good success rates, though the bears tend to be in the 5-6' range ( nothing to sneeze at). Fly to Bangor or Augusta, rent a car or ask the outfitter if there's someone that you can pay to pick you up and drop you off (manytimes, this is cheaper than renting a car for a week). I think you can do a 7 day trip for less than $2,500 (considering airfare) or less than 2k if you drive, though kind of a lot of time.

Let us know what you decide and good luck!!

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** November 29, 2009, 04:41:43 PM »

Don't ignore the cost of taxidermy. I've not taken a bear hunt yet cuz it seems it's gonna cost as much to have it mounted as to kill it. I might could swing the hunt but not the hunt plus taxidermy.

ChrisK · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2009, 01:07:44 AM »

I like the idea of hunting out west were there are some places you can spot and stalk them and get a good look at them from a distance. But like I said before I am not a baiting basher either. The nearest states that have bears are in Mich.,Wis. Tenn. and Ark. I was thinking that my northern neighbors have a draw but do not think that Arkansas has one or not. I was thinking it was over the counter. If I would get one I would just want to cape it and tan it and maybe euro the skull. Is it better to use a firearm for a first time out or is using a bow an alright option? I have a .50 muzzleloader, 12 gauge that I use foster slugs, and a #70 compound that I shoot all on a regular basis.
I have heard that baiting is the way to go but I have also heard that in some places(even were it is legal) that it isn't needed. I am not really one to tell folks how to hunt bears because I have seen one in Tenn. on my honeymoon outside our cabin, and a couple in Florida. And of course there are no bears in Indiana!
Thanks for the helps guys,
Chris Kiefner

Siskiyou · « **Reply #5 on:** November 30, 2009, 04:24:30 AM »

Some people prefer a heavy duty front bumper.

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Saturday, November 28, 2009Drivers warned to look out for bears
Three bears struck by cars in past 2 weeks
By Liz Kellar
Staff WriterShare on Facebook Email Print Comment Recommend (1)
It's not unusual for Nevada County residents, particularly those who live at high elevations, to see black bears.

Early Thursday morning, two women walking along Banner Mountain Trail encountered a bear and were so frightened that they asked sheriff's deputies to help them get home.

But in the last two weeks alone, three bears have been struck by vehicles near Glenbrook Basin.

On Nov. 12, a young black bear was killed by a vehicle on Highway 174 near the intersection with Brunswick Road just after 6 p.m.

At 6:51 a.m. Monday, a caller from Brunswick and Idaho-Maryland roads reported a small bear had been hit and injured in the left-turn lane. The bear, which reportedly was a young cub, was shot by a California Highway Patrol officer.

And just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, a woman reported she had hit a bear at Loma Rica and Idaho-Maryland roads and warned there might be an injured bear in the area. Another caller reported the bear ran into the woods.

The answer behind the sudden surge in bear-versus-vehicle reports might be as simple as an increase in the bear population, said California Department of Fish and Game spokesman Harry Morse.

In the 1970s and '80s, the bear population in the state was estimated at about 10,000, Morse said. But in the last few years, ursine numbers have more than tripled to about 35,000.

There could be any number of reasons why more bears have been hit lately, Morse said.

“It could be that people are feeding the bears,” he said. “One bad side effect of animals habituating to humans is that where there are people, there are roads.”

Right now, the bears are building up their winter fat, Morse said, and so might be foraging in the area.

“They do go into a semi-hibernation state where they may be down for a couple of weeks and then up again” when it warms up, he said.

Most bear fatalities in the county are reported up Highway 20, said Nevada County Animal Control Supervising Manager Rich Fevenger.

“We get them sporadically in the wintertime, in November and December,” he said.

Black bears can be difficult for motorists to see, Fevenger said.

“They blend in,” he said.

His advice to motorists: “Drive defensively. Anticipate. And slow your speed.”

To contact Staff Writer Liz Kellar, e-mail lkellar@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4229.

http://www.theunion.com/article/20091128/NEWS/911279975&parentprofile=search

theoldarcher · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2009, 04:45:23 AM »

Chris: I am a displaced Hoosier who lives in MI. You are right that MI has a draw system for tags, but the preference points needed for some areas are minimal. I have been drawn every other year for my preferred hunting area in the UP. I have two friends there who run bear hunting operations.

Like drdougrx, I would strongly suggest an outfitter for your first bear hunt. There are so many little details to handle, and that's their job. All the bear hunts I've been on have been fairly low cost affairs. Ontario three times = two bears; costs per trip probably averaged $1700.00. I should have been three for three, but someone forgot to tell the boar my arrow shaved hair from as it passed over his back. I never saw another one big enough to interest me on that trip, but I had a chance at #3. The times I've hunted in the UP were probably the best trips due to the friendships, the scenery, the closeness to where I live in southern MI, and the greatly reduced cost. My largest bear to date came from the UP.

From hunting in Colorado, I can tell you that the West is huge territory and bears, although plentiful, do not live every where. CO is a draw also, but the chances of getting drawn even the first year is very good depending on the GMU. Idaho has wonderful bear hunting and like CO they have a high percentage of color phased black bears, but it is a state where I would definitely recommend an outfitter.

Good advice from Graybeard on taxidermy. You will absolutely want to have some kind of mount or rug made, especially from your first bear.

If I can help put you in contact with one of my buddies in the UP, please let me know.

Best of luck, Arch

drdougrx · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2009, 07:50:57 AM »

FWIW...my 2008 black bear rug measured 5.5 feet and cost $880 ($160 per foot) plus $100 for the skull.

ChrisK · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2009, 09:18:42 AM »

Thanks for the heads up about price for a rug. What about weapon? My 12 gauge with 2 3/4 or 3 inch mag foster slugs. My 870 shoots pretty good even though that it is a smoothbore. It has a small barrel(legal) and is pretty handy if you are carring in thick brush, make you nervous in a climber though! My .50 cal inline, or my bow? Or would it be best to borrow a friends rifle that is like a .270 or better? My wife will not let me use my bumper to the Envoy or Minivan! I know when it comes to deer, you always know when you hit a deer with a 1oz. slug and really know if you hit a deer in the shoulders with a 3 incher! I have only found 3 slugs that have been fired at a deer when using my shotgun and only two bullets from my muzzleloader. It might be noted that I use 100 grains of powder and a 250 grain SST in my CVA Kodiak mag. Mostly all the bear hunts that I have seen on TV other than Tred Barta if they are spotting in stalking they are using a firearm and usually only use a bow if it is a baited hunt. I appreciate your guys help.
Chris Kiefner

drdougrx · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2009, 03:07:26 PM »

Hi Chris,

I'd use the in-line or the bow. The 12g w slugs will really tear up the hide IMO, but, use what you have, really doesn't make much difference if you're on a baited hunt.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #10 on:** November 30, 2009, 03:39:18 PM »

Oroville hunter, 83, hurt by wounded bear's attack

By Matt Weiser
mweiser@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009 - 12:00 am
An Oroville man was attacked by a black bear Monday after the animal was shot and injured by a member of the man's hunting party.
Orval Sanders, 83, suffered injuries to his hands and arms, said California Department of Fish and Game Capt. Mark Lucero. Sanders underwent surgery Monday at Sutter Roseville Medical Center for the most serious injury, a bite that crushed his left wrist.
The incident began Monday morning when Sanders and his five hunting partners, aided by dogs, treed the 150-pound bear in the Tahoe National Forest, near the town of Alleghany, in Sierra County. One member of the group shot the bear but did not kill it.
The injured bear became enraged and descended the tree, attacking Sanders on the ground. Another member of the party then killed the bear with a shot to the head.
Sanders was transported by members of his group to a U.S. Forest Service station, then to the hospital by helicopter.
Bear hunting season started the last week of September and continues until Dec. 31, or until 1,700 bears have been killed. Lucero said about 300 have been killed so far.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/bear/harvest.html

The majority of bears taken in California are with dogs. A large number of dog hunters no longer kill a bear, but after treeing it take pictures and leave. In another article Sanders stated they had tree seventeen bears this year and this was the first one they attempted to take.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/issues/bear/bear_incidents.html

http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/story/2252112.html

ChrisK · « **Reply #11 on:** December 01, 2009, 01:04:13 AM »

are you trying to encourage me or detour me?
Chris Kiefner

theoldarcher · « **Reply #12 on:** December 01, 2009, 03:37:06 AM »

Chris: sent you a PM with the contact info. I forgot to tell you that I have killed my bears with a 60# @ 28" t/d recurve bow, 62" long; swedged 2218 JDA Natural aluminum arrows, snap knocks, cut to 29 1/2", with 5" banana cut feather fletch, and pushing 165 gr. Snuffer fixed 3-blade cut on impact boradheads. I did take one we couldn't get close enough to for a bow with my friend's 300 Win Mag.

Like it was pointed out above, when over a bait the shot is usually up close and personal.

Arch

Siskiyou · « **Reply #13 on:** December 01, 2009, 11:58:40 AM »

I say go for it.

I have camped, worked, and lived around bears a good part of my life. My pet saying when I was younger was that I did not need to out run the bear, just the guy with me. Now that I am older with bad knees I cannot out run anybody.

Currently I have a case of bear fever after seeing a nice, dark chocolate bear at about 60-yards when deer hunting. I had planned on stopping at the Fish and Game office and buying a bear tag, but the Governor had furloughed the fish & game and the office was closed the day I was there.

Seeing this bear got me in the mode to take another bear. I was not too disappointed in not getting a bear tag this year. I have a history of passing on bears. The disappointment came after watching the right bear during this deer season.

Looking at the number of incidents the F&G has documented with bears reminds me of other bear problems in the years preceding their records. Pointing out the incidents is to make one aware so risk can be managed. I think that archery bear hunting is fine for the accomplished archer, I never reached that level.

I was with my hunting partner when he killed a bear using a factory 150-grain WW Power Point in his 30-06 with a shot behind the shoulder. The bear was killed on the shot, I am pointing this out because it did not cause major damage to the hide, just a small entrance would and good penetration. If it had been a deer most likely the bullet would have exited.

I shot a bear in the ear at about 40-yards with an 8MM Mauser. It dropped like a rock and the 170 grain bullet did not exit. I was lucky to have a small farm tractor to drag the bear out with. Two of us could not move it.

The hunter who loaned me the rifle had taken a number of bear with it. He was a resident of the Peace River Country. On one hunting trip he did a drunken foolish stunt. They were on a drift trip down the Smokey River and he shot a bear on a gravel bar. Knowing the bear was still alive he went over and set down next to it and put a head lock on the bear and posed for a picture. The bear bit him in the upper thigh. He and his hunting companions had utilized space in their drift boat for booze, not first aid equipment. They packed his wound with dirty clothing to stop the bleeding. It was a long trip the hospital and he just about bleed to death. At best I can describe him as a Canadian Redneck.

The day I spotted the Chocolate bear my 270 was loaded with 130-grain Barnes TTSX bullets. All I could do was watch but I believe the Barnes bullet would exit. Next season when I have a bear tag depending on which 270 I am carrying it will be loaded with the Barnes TTSX or the 150-grain Hornady.

When we setup three tents in this camp should have set them up so as not to create a crossfire situation in case a bear hit the camp.

If I am hunting with my 30-30 it will be loaded with the Hornady 160-grain flex tip bullets. A lot of bear have been taken with the standard Remington C-L or Winchester softpoint from the 30-30.

Enjoy your hunt.

ChrisK · « **Reply #14 on:** December 01, 2009, 01:05:44 PM »

thanks for the encouragement and great stories. I occasionally shoot traditional equipment. I recently sold all of my recurves and longbows and got back into the compounds. I don't know why exactly I did this but I really like shooting either one. One of these days I may go back to it. I have tried to find friends at work to go hunting with me but some are scared and most are still hung up on deer and only want to hunt them. I have wanted to do this for a long time. I don't care if I have to buy a tag somewhere and take my minivan and stay in it for a couple weeks and eat ramen noodles the whole time. I am going to do it and it is going to be within the next two or three years. Don't care if I have to drive to Maine and drive and walk down every public road, or drive out west and camp in the van on a mountain ledge.
Chris Kiefner

teddy12b · « **Reply #15 on:** December 02, 2009, 06:59:44 AM »

ChrisK,
Hello fellow Hoosier. I'm in the North East of Indiana and I've been on three bear hunts.

The first hunt was in Maine (19 hour drive one way) and it was with the dirt cheapest outfitter we could find. We didn't see any bears and the later on in the week a couple other hunters showed up with binders full of bear hunting pictures and they couldn't believe how or why the guide was doing things the way he was doing. The lesson learned on this hunt, don't go with the absolutely cheapest guy out there. Between the two of us we never saw a bear.

The second hunt was in Ontario (15 hour drive one way) and it was with an outfitter that was a little more expensive than the guy in maine but the lodging & hunt was still under $1000. Travel & food excluded. We did see bears and I'd gladly recommend the Auld Reekie Lodge in Gowganda Ontario. Good people and a nice place.

The third hunt was also in Ontario but with a different outfitter (12 hour drive one way) and it was probably the worst one yet. My ground blind was a white metal folding chair on a hill behind some branches, and neither guide knew what the other was doing. This was the most expensive hunt and there were 9 hunters there. 6 of them saw a bear, and only three could take a shot, and one of those 3 was not recovered.

I've always checked references from the previous years and the only references you'll ever get are the good stories anyway.

Looking back after three hunts in three different places with guides I had it right the second time and would prefer to go back to the Auld Reekie lodge before any of the others.

I try to keep my hunting trips under $1500 including everything from food, lodging, hunting, gear, travel, licenses, export tags and you name it. GB was right though, that the taxidermy costs are huge and need to be taken into account when planning a trip. I have always planned on putting the hide in the freezer and getting it done when the $$ was available if ever.

bigbuckdown280 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 05, 2009, 05:22:42 PM »

Check out the hunting in NC. They mostly stand hunt in travel corridors between bed and food sources, or run em with dogs. The largest black bears in the world are killed down here. One was taken in Craven Co in 1998 that weighed 880lbs. Many are killed every year in the 500-600 lb range. We have good hunting on the coast and in the mountains, but the coastal bears are bigger.

jcn59 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 05, 2009, 05:56:41 PM »

Call Bob at Timber Wolf Lodge 50 miles north of Fort Francis, Ontario on Hwy 105. He baits, & has his own year 'round lodge on a lake. I paid $800. for the hunt ten years ago plus lodging. Saw a big lynx which walked past me at about ten yards and a big bobcat. Saw one bear and killed it. Very hot that year and bears were not moving.

Bob may well be retired now as he built the camp in the seventies when the road was built.

efremtags · « **Reply #18 on:** December 07, 2009, 01:07:53 PM »

You can pull of a hunt on the cheap.

1) Go within driving distance. 12 - 14 hrs is the furthest without hotel possible. Cheap flights are few and far inbetween to most god hunting destinations.
2) Hunt with at least 1 buddy. This cuts on fuel costs. 2 Would be ideal compromise of costs vs space
3) Hire a good guide. What he spends in time, stands and bait makes the trip worthwhile. Make sure he lodges and feeds you. There are a lot of bargaing out there, and lodgeign and food are the 1st ammenities they cut,.
4) Use the gear you got. New boots are nice, but better to hunt in old bots than to stare at new ones in the closet.
5) Taxidermy can double cost of total hunt depending on mount style. If money is tight, settle for a tanned hide. You can always mount it later. gotta have it tanned no matter what, but a good tan job with fleshing runs under $200.

With booze, tips and taxidermy, I pulled off a bear hunt in 08 for 1800. Quality hunt, trophy potential was there (1 guy got a 400lbs, 2 over 300lbs).

I don't think any guided hunt is possible for less than this with good ammenities and decent (not the best, just adequate) game potential.

Bearman II · « **Reply #19 on:** December 09, 2009, 03:48:02 PM »

Chirs, check out this web site,wwwrandywakeman,I think he lives in IL,he has a great artical about MN bear hunting.

ChrisK · « **Reply #20 on:** December 10, 2009, 02:32:15 PM »

Looks like they have good odds for there draw, they did good but the odds of harvest looked kind of low. I guess not all of the pop. went with a outfitter or have a high number of bears in there area. I have seen a couple hunting shows up there before. MN, isn't that far from me.
Chris Kiefner

1sourdough · « **Reply #21 on:** December 15, 2009, 02:49:37 PM »

While you think things over you may as well get in line with the MI(apply in May) & maybe WI draw/point system. It does not cost much to apply & start building points. It will take 5+ years to draw either for a prime hunt. If you want to hunt next year Canada is your best bet. I don't know much about MN rules.

ChrisK · « **Reply #22 on:** December 17, 2009, 07:48:42 AM »

I emailed a guy from Michigan but haven't heard back from him yet. I like the thought of somewhere in the U.S. I sure wouldn't limit myself here in the states though.
Chris Kiefner

teddy12b · « **Reply #23 on:** December 17, 2009, 09:15:13 AM »

The U.S. is great, but we have an incredible resource to our north. I love Ontario because once you cross the border and head north for an hour or more, you're on your own and in God's contry.

ChrisK · « **Reply #24 on:** December 19, 2009, 05:06:11 AM »

I have hear the success rates in some places are 150% where they can take two bears (Alberta) and have heard some people say success rates as low as 30% and that is 30% chance of a shot not a kill. What is everyones feed on this?
Chris Kiefner

wild country · « **Reply #25 on:** December 22, 2009, 11:37:19 PM »

chrisk,

I would say you are right.........30% chance of seeing a bear over bait, doesn't seem to be very good odds. Saying that I also don't know where you are getting your info from or if it is just a statment to express your point. Every person wants a % to go by to see what the numbers are. People will tell you to stay away fron the outfitter that tells you he/she has 100 % success. I say check it out. I get that question a lot, what % kill bear, how many are seen, what is the size? As an outfitter, I could tell you anything. I tell most folks to "check the fruit on the tree" Call not just one person, but many people who have hunted with the outfitter. Ask questions like how many years has this guy hunted with you, did he bring friends. If he brought friends then call them.. The question you need to ask is what am I (the hunter) willing to settle for. I have had clients say "If it's the last day of the hunt I would shoot that bear" I say make your mind up before you sit on the stand. If you would shoot it the last day then let it roll on the first day. It's still hunting and you might not get a chance at that bear again. If your guide knows what he/she is doing they should give you the confidence to know what to look for. Pics of the animals that are using that bait, tracks and scatt that all tell what size an animal you might have. then there are the up close and personal viewings of the animal when you are baiting. If he says he has to many baits to put camaras on then ........Move to the next outfitter........Everyone has a place they love to hunt, and that is also true about outfitters. Each person has diffrent reasons for hunting where they hunt. Find out what drives that hunter, why they choose the place they hunt at. Then ask yourself is this something I like, am I like this person. The other thing I hear many people say is "they just want to kill a bear". Myself and my partner wouldn't shoot anything under 200lbs, I also live and bait all the spots, so I can say that. Would you shoot 150 lbs bear? Would you go away with nothing becasue you wanted to shoot a big bear? I can tell you each hunter that comes to hunt, hunts for a diffrent reason. But most to all of them want to have the chance...........THE CHANCE........to kill a 350-500 lb bear. Is 150lb small ? not for Maine. I see every bear as a true trophy, because lets not forget, that 150lb class will grow and his chance at being 450lb is only a few years away. I might have given my own two cents here, but any how have a Merry x-mass and make many memories on your next hunt.................Pete

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #26 on:** December 23, 2009, 06:25:17 AM »

Where I've been hunting bear lately, the guide has a policy of an active bait or you come back next year and try again. I've been in his place a couple years now and an active bait is not a problem for him. In the two years I have hunted with 18 guys. Success was 14 bears 2 better than 325# 3 or 4 over 200# the rest in that 150# range. I passed three bears due to small size and second day of hunt, my partner passed on one small bear, the other two guys saw nothing during daylight.

The guide was upset that I didn't take a bear, he told me it messes up his success percentage. He understood wanting a larger bear though and was pretty much kidding with me. I assured him it was not his failure it is hunting after all. I let him know that if he claimed me as a "kill" in his book I really wouldn't have a problem with it ethically. The bears were at the bait for better than a half hour each, I have a good half hour of video I shot so it's all good by me.

The meat is very good to eat, as much like beef as anything I've ever eaten. Taking one for the freezer is a good idea by me I was looking for more that early in the week. My taxidermist charges $100 a foot front foot to rear foot. Some were $125 rear foot to nose. It is a nice rug, just another price for you to see.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #27 on:** December 23, 2009, 06:56:41 AM »

Come here to northern PA, go out in the woods, and put a slab of ribs on a BBQ grill, then get comfortable and wait....

Just kidding, but I see more bears that way while camping out and fishing in the spring time....

I would look at heading up into Canada, or East to Maine for a baited hunt. Spring bears tend to have nice fur, be a little smaller, and taste so so. Fall bears are usually heavier, may or may not have their full winter coat in yet, are less responsive to bait, and tend to taste better (my opinion).

Larry

Skunk · « **Reply #28 on:** December 23, 2009, 08:30:22 AM »

Quote from: Bigeasy on December 23, 2009, 06:56:41 AM

Come here to northern PA, go out in the woods, and put a slab of ribs on a BBQ grill, then get comfortable and wait....

Bigeasy

But now that alternative methods are being presented to you ChrisK, I won't suggest the "best" route, but I can suggest the "cheapest route to go black bear hunting."

Apply for a Black Bear tag in Wisconsin.
Keep applying for said Black Bear tag for at least the next 15 years.
Play the lottery a lot, because your chances of winning the lottery are probably better than being drawn for the above mentioned Black Bear tag in Wisconsin (or season tickets to Packer games ).
Be content that you are only spending money on the lottery.
After around 15 years, you might be drawn (emphasis on might) for a tag.

It might not be the best way to go Black Bear hunting, but it sure would be the cheapest, since you won't need to spend a lot of money for at least 15 years.

Lost Oki · « **Reply #29 on:** January 08, 2010, 02:58:37 PM »

Used to live in central Indian and picked Northwest Montana twice...spot and stalk with Mzloader. Only boar we had a chance at was a 150 lb (estimate) max and I passed...Saw lots of color phase including a strawberry roan sow with cubs...worth the trip. Went back in the spring and hunted on my own (staying at the Outfitters lodge for the price of a motel room). No luck, but still worth it to me, I really enjoyed myself.
I now live in NC and hunt the mountains in the fall, tracks but no sightings as of yet...If you look at NC, stay close to the coast. My opinion....If I had it to do over again...I would go to Canada and hunt over bait for my first bear. Shotgun, Muzzleloader or Bow will work.
Are they still having the Sportsman/Outfitter shows in Indy....check them out....get a better feel for who you are going to hunt with....