Find the food and you will find the bears.
Glassing
In open country, glass green slopes in spring and berry patches in late summer, then plan a stalk with the wind in your face.
Food sources
Fall bears follow acorns, berries and other mast. Spring bears hit new grass and clover.
Bait and hounds
Where legal, baiting lets hunters judge a bear before the shot, and hounds cover ground in thick country.
Judging a bear
Look for a small-looking head, short ears that seem far apart and a belly that hangs low. Those signs point to a big, mature bear.