Hi im looking for a bear hunt in Arizona. Any info on some previous hunts would be great.Thanks

Tried their August opener once. VERY tough in the heat. Saw no bears. The outfitter I used thought he had to show how tough he was. Loved the country but would not go that early again. Oh, and I did not get a bear, but have seen pics of some bruisers from their. We hunted the Tonto NF.

http://bedlionoutfitters.com/About_Us.html

Jim and his kids have been hunting in AZ forever - I would recommend giving them a call.

There are some nice bears in Arizona, but you will drive right past equally good bear country in New Mexico on your trip out west. If you've ever been to Philmont Scout Ranch out of Cimarron, NM--or know someone who has--that whole area including the surrounding ranches is fairly crawling with big bears. I can personally recommend Hap Blacksten and his dogs for a fine horseback hunt, having hunted lions with him on two occasions.

If you are picky about holding out for a Booner bear, I think your odds would be much better in SE Alaska. Kurt and Trina Whitehead conduct boat hunts around POW Island, where you glass the beaches for bears and enjoy self-caught fish and crabs for dinner....one of the finest hunting vacations I've ever experienced.

Thanks dawaba, Not looking for a Booner just a good hunt with a good chance at a nice Bear. I will give the guy in NM a call. Just looking toward Arizona for something different. Thanks JA

James, Hap lives and ranches in Springer, NM, and his cell # is 575-447-2669. If you enjoy shooting prairie dogs, take along your .223. You can shoot the pesky sod poodles from the bunk house porch.

+1 for Hap. One of the best hunts I have ever been on. The Mt lion I took made the all time B&C record book. Hap hunts hard, has great dogs and equipment. The prairie dogs had a foot of snow on them while I was there so I went back in the summer and managed to thin them out a bit

This is interesting. My daughter wants to send my 16 year old Grandson on a bear hunt. What kind of permits/drawings(?) are involved in New Mexico? Cost?

Hap hunts bears in the fall and lions in the winter. Since he hunts private land, there are no permits to apply for. Two years ago, my lion hunt cost $5k for a week-long hunt. You stay in a very nice bunkhouse and Hap and Robin feed you very well for dinner. Breakfast is generally egg and bacon burritos, etc, and lunch is carried in your saddle bags.

Not sure, but it may be too late for a bear hunt in 2014 if the bears have already gone into hibernation. Best to call Hap.....