Premier archery and general season black bear hunting guide in California. Bear tags can be bought over-the-counter and are valid for a large chunk of the state. It’s no secret that California has a lot of bears, including both large and color phase bears. Our hunts provide the opportunity to explore remote regions of Northern California where we have permits to access thousands of acres of forest that host a robust bear population.
Guides start hitting the mountains in the summer scouting for bears. We’ve had eyes on dozens of bears before the season begins. Food sources change throughout the year and the key to finding bears is to find the food. Our guides will have several feeding locations scouted before guests arrive and we will put you in the ideal location to glass for bears getting fat before winter.
We have a team of pack llamas to haul in comfortable camps and aid in game retrieval.
Similar to deer hunts we offer two styles of hunts to suite the guest(s) preferences:
- A true wilderness experience where we will camp deep in the backcountry.
- Hunts closer to the road system where we spike out for the day but make camp in dispersed or designated camping areas near roads
Both approaches are physically demanding and require rising early and long days of glassing. Days can be hot, but we get our fair share of cold or even snow at times.
The Hunt
A bear hunt begins before first light where we will move to a vantage point where bears are known to frequent. Bears are almost constantly moving unless they’ve found a reliable food source. Once we’ve spotted a bear we will assess whether it’s a mature boar and that it meets the guests expectations. Next we will determine if it’s coming, going, or staying – and plan our stalk accordingly. In the early season it’s not uncommon to see 6-10 bears in a day. As the season progresses into late October and November, especially after severe storms, we tend to see less bears. The ones we do see in the late season are big, fat, and have beautiful coats.
Bears are most active at dusk and dawn, however, we’ve killed bears throughout the day and will continue glassing until we find the right bear, switching our position occasionally to move to a new vantage. Even big bears can be hard to spot as they move about the brush. As evening approaches, we will make sure to be in a good glassing position as the bears begin filtering into openings. As darkness closes in we will head back to camp for a solid meal, story-telling, and a good night’s sleep.
After a kill we immediately field process the animal to get it cooled off. Depending on the weather we may hang the hide and meat in camp or use the llamas to pack meat out to the vehicle and put it on ice.
Bear hunts are often combined with deer hunts when the seasons overlap.
If a shot is made and blood is drawn, that’s considered your animal whether recovered or not. Be proficient with your weapon of choice.
2024 Bear Hunting Season in our hunt area
Archery: August 19 – September 10
General Season: September 21 – December 31
Or until quota fills (hasn’t filled in years).
Bear tags can be purchased over-the-counter.
Rates – California Black Bear Hunting Guide
Food and accommodations are provided.
Rates are per person.
| 3 day 3 night | 3 day 4 night | 4 day 4 night | 4 day 5 night | 5 day 5 night | 5 day 6 night | 6 day 6 night | 6 day 7 night | 7 day 7 night | 7 day 8 night |
| $4,000 | $4,200 | $4,600 | $4,800 | $5,200 | $5,400 | $5,800 | $6,000 | $6,400 | $6,600 |
Extra nights = $200
Extra days = $400
No trophy fees!
For combination big-game hunts the first animal is included in the price. Additionally harvested big-game is $2,200 per animal. It’s not a trophy fee but covers the extra labor and skill.
Inclusions
- A knowledgeable and experienced guide.
- Transportation from pre-determined meeting location to the field.
- Meals.
- Non-alcoholic beverages.
- Accommodations are backcountry and wilderness camps. Tent/shelter and sleeping pad provided.
- Field care and pack out of meat and trophies.
Exclusions
- Hunting license and tags.
- Personnel effects, daypack, sleeping bag, and clothing. Gear list will be provided. If you do need something let us know and we will do what we can to help.
- Weapon and ammunition. Practice with archery equipment out to 50 yards and with a rifle to at least 200 yards.
- Alcohol or tobacco products – no alcohol may be consumed before or while hunting.
- Lodging and meals for before and after the hunt dates.
- Transportation to the pre-determined meeting location.
- Storage, butchering and processing of game beyond the basic field care. It can be hot, have a plan in place for the animal after the hunt.
- Taxidermy services.
Contact us for your next bear hunting adventure.
