As the year comes to a close, I think we can all agree that we’re looking forward to putting 2020 in the rear view! The WTA staff have been very busy with the launch of our recent TAGS catalog and putting the finishing touches on our new Hunting and Fishing Trips of a Lifetime catalog. This will begin hitting mailboxes in early January. It’s been a mild Winter so far in western Nebraska and across much of the West, yet I am still looking forward to longer days and warmer temperatures. As we get through the holidays and life starts to slow down a bit, it’s time to start planning for the upcoming Spring hunting seasons. Here are a few black bear options that are a little closer to home and maybe even an easy drive for some. You don’t have to travel all that far to find some excellent black bear hunting opportunities. In fact, some of the biggest bears in North American are found in the lower 48.
Arizona’s White Mountain Apache
This trophy black bear hunt takes place in the northeast part of the 1.7 million-acre White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation in east-central Arizona. Several of the top Boone and Crockett black bears have come off this Reservation. Hunts are conducted over bait in the Spring and early Summer. Due to the higher elevation (over 8,000′) the bear hides are good all season long! No other black bear hunt in North America offers this seclusion, skull size, color-phase percentage, bait or hounds hunting style and low-volume atmosphere. Our success on big, colored bears is unrivaled. Plus you have the option to hunt two bears! All of this plus no pesky mosquitoes!
Maine Black Bear Hunting
A great option for those in the northeast is a Fall black bear hunt in northern Maine. This is not only a great hunt, but an even better option if you’d like to bring along a non-hunting companion or even the whole family. The baited hunts here begin late August and run through mid-September. Comfortable log cabins are equipped with gas lights and heat, with each cabin having its own private bath. Fine cuisine is served in the historic dining room, which features Maine lobster, prime meats, and much, much more. These are high quality black bear hunts, reasonably priced, and ideally located.
Wyoming Baited Black Bear Hunt
Hunt trophy-class color phase, black bears in the pristine Greys River Country of western Wyoming. This region of Wyoming is known for its sheer beauty and abundance of color phase bears. This veteran outfitter has been in the business for over 30 years successfully hosting hunters from all over the US. You and your experienced guide will head out each afternoon to enclosed blinds, over well baited areas. Over the past years, hunters have experienced high shot opportunities on bears squaring 5-1/2 to over 6′. All hunts are conducted in the late afternoon thus hunters have most of the day to relax or fish in the private ponds located near the lodge.
Idaho Black Bear Hunt – 5 Star Lodge
Located next to the Salmon River in the pristine north-central Idaho back country, this outfit has a backdrop worthy of a thousand photos. This specific area of Idaho is known for having wild fruit trees that fill every canyon on the ranch where bears gravitate to from the surrounding mountains preparing for a long winter. With a high-density bear population and outstanding trophy-quality, this is a hunt that can be customized to fit anyone’s preference of pursuit, whether it’s hunting over bait, with hounds, or spot-and-stalk hunting.
