Been kicking around the idea of a bear hunt. Any one ever been that has some words of advice. I was thinking Montana but am pretty open to suggestions.

try Minnesota.No bait, no bears. You need a guide or someone to put out bait for you.

SE Colorado has good bears. I shot a nice one this last year northeast of Trinidad

If you want to do a Montana trip, a good friend is an outfitter there, in the Lincoln area. One thing about Montana, make sure it is a black hear not a griz. They tend to frown on killing them if your tag is foe Black Bear, and there are grizzle bears scattered throughout the state.

Oh and plan on a spot and stalk hunt in Montana, not over bait

I've hunted Blackies in Sask, MT and a pile in Alaska. If you have any specifics fire away. I love my bear hunting Brownies/Blackies both...

Lower 48 where is best to go for big bear. Doesn't matter if bait or stalk

I saw three outside durango while elk hunting

quite a few around Southern Colorado, took mine in unit 70 (NW of Durango) Have seen bears around there since I started hunting there in the 80's. Used to be able to bait, but they stopeed that I believe around 1990 sometime.

I see the "sign" all the time, but doubt I see near as many bears as see me. I took mine from allot of scouting and being able to live up there for a while, plus hunting the area for a long time. Helps to narrow down where I was going to hunt.

I think if I was going "out of the Blue", I would hire a guide/ outfitter, or find a landowner that might help, , he may even have an available tag for problem bears on their property (they are draw only)

States that allow bait I think would increase your odds dramatically, since bear will travel long distances looking for food, a solid supply at a bait station would keep them around.

Took a nice black bear in Sept 2010 in Alberta just east of Hinton. If ya go that far north be prepared for some wild weather swings.

Tricky question as there are big bear in lots of states and also depends on what qualifies as a "big bear" to you.
Speaking of skull sizes I think NM has a rep. of pumping out some big skulled bears (B&&C,P&Y) qualifiers.
If I wanted the best chances at a 6+ft bear, I would hit Idaho or Washington's reservation hunts.Thats my opinion but folks will be gettting good bears in lots of states throughout the lower 48 every year.I knew of a couple toads that dame out of Maine last fall but looking at the "average" bear, I think the toads are a real exception..
Dont toss Alaska out the window when it comes to bears, as a non res. You can hunt blackies up there for a very resonable price and 6' + are the average. Just my 2 cents...

I've seen lots of bears around Lincoln Co. NM. Usually not even hunting them and will see several a day.

I hunt Timmins Ontario ever year....my best is a seven foot bear. Last year several giants were killed.

good luck whereever you decide to go. I would like to do a bear hunt one day myself

Hey kmon1 what's your buddies name I may look him up.

I have always loved hunting black bears and have killed a bunch of them. I guess it really depends on what type of hunt you are after , baiting or spot and stalk. If you go to the places that have high bear densities and allow baiting your going to see a lot of bears which affords you the ability to pass on a 5ftr that looks bigger than he is and that you would probably shoot from 300 yards out on a spot and stalk. To me the haven for black bear hunts is Alaska and Canada over bait or even better yet a boat based coastal hunt for the really big black bears and you even get to do some fishing as part of the deal and enjoy the scenery. I dont know what your budget is for a bear hunt, and thats really what will dictate what you get.

I went to Northern (like 2 planes past where roads stop North) Alberta. Went in by float plane on glacial lake, caught walleye and lake trout all afternoon, the Wendy to the stands from about 6-10, back to camp for dinner and stay up all night drinking by the camp fire ("night" lasted about 1 hr). Killed a great back blear, and saw lots of color phased bears if that's your deal.

As much as I would love to go to Alaska or Canada I don't feel like my budget can stand it. I am 25 and will take me a good bit to save enough funds for the hunt. I would rather do a spot and stalk hunt than over bait. I am thinking NM CO or MT. Anyone have any advice on outfitters? Do's and donts? I'm thinking spring hunt. Thoughts?

Check some of the reservation certified guides in the Apache land in Arizona. They have produced more record blacks than any other area for the last few years. If you want them, I can email you the 5-6 guide services in that are that are the only ones that can be used in this area.