Best bet for DIY Black Bear?

Looking to do a DIY black bear hunt next year and looking for recommendations on States/areas from anyone who’s done one.
It would need to be an otc tag with no points, and am not interested in using dogs. Preference would be spot and stalk, and would like the best odds (don’t we all?). Would want to drive from Houston but could do a 16-18 hr drive if needed.
Anyone have a favorit trip?

1620 miles from Houston to Idaho Falls, or about 26 hours by car. We have OTC tags and pretty good populations but we would be on your extreme edge probably

Some areas in Arkansas have black bear. Never hunted there. I have looked at several leases in the state. The going rate for a lease is in the $500-$750 range.

That’s not too bad at all. Thanks for the tip.

I drove through Idaho Falls a few weeks ago on the way to and from Yellowstone (flew into SLC). Idaho looks amazing, that'd be a pretty awesome hunt. But a bit much travel for the trip im looking for. You guys have some great areas to play in though.

Arkansas has some good places on public land but it is archery season only because the state sets a quota on the numberof bears harvested. Usually takes a week to meet it depending on what part of the state it is.

ah nuts, I’m not a bow hunter. Thanks for the heads up