Arizona Black Bear Hunt Scouting | Spring & Fall Hunts

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Bear Hunting in Arizona

Arizona's black bears live mainly along the Mogollon Rim, in the White Mountains and in the forested "sky island" mountain ranges of central and southeastern Arizona. Their movements follow food: green-up and early forage in the spring, then acorns, juniper berries, manzanita and prickly pear fruit in late summer and fall. Find the food and you find the bears, and that changes year to year, which is exactly what scouting is for.

How Arizona Bear Hunts Work

• Glassing and stalking: spotting bears feeding on open slopes and in canyons, then closing the distance.
• Predator (varmint) calling: calling bears in with distress sounds in areas with fresh sign.
• Hounds: following fresh tracks with dogs in rough country.

Arizona Bear Seasons and Tags

• Spring bear: spring bear tags in many units come from the spring draw, which closes in early October. AZGFD sets the exact date each year, usually a Tuesday in early October.
• Fall bear: most fall bear hunting uses an over-the-counter bear tag (nonpermit-tag) with an Arizona hunting license.
• Unit closures: each unit has a female harvest limit. When it's reached, the unit closes to bear hunting, so you must check that your unit is still open before you go.
• Reporting: you must report a harvested bear to Arizona Game & Fish within 48 hours.

Check unit status and reporting on the AZGFD black bear hunting page, and read the current Arizona hunting regulations. Spring draw applications go through draw.azgfd.com.

How I Scout Your Bear Hunt

1. You pick your season and book. We talk through spring vs. fall, your unit and your method.
2. I scout for food and sign. I find which food sources are producing this year and which canyons and slopes bears are using.
3. You hunt where the bears are feeding. We start in the areas with the most recent activity.

This is fair chase hunting. I don't bait bears.

Arizona Bear Hunt FAQ

Do I need to draw a tag to hunt bear in Arizona?

Many spring bear hunts are by draw, with applications due in early October. Most fall bear hunting uses an over-the-counter bear tag, so no draw is required.

When is bear season in Arizona?

There are spring and fall seasons. Exact dates vary by unit and year, and units close once their female harvest limit is reached, so check the AZGFD bear page before you hunt.

Do I have to report my bear?

Yes. Arizona requires you to report a harvested bear to Arizona Game & Fish within 48 hours.

What colors are Arizona black bears?

Arizona black bears come in black, brown, cinnamon and blond color phases. Colored bears are common in many units.

How long are the hunts and what do they cost?

I offer 5-day bear hunts for $2,500, 7-day hunts for $3,500 and 10-day hunts for $5,000. Your license and tag are purchased from Arizona Game & Fish and are not included.

Can nonresidents hunt bear in Arizona?

Yes. Nonresidents can apply for spring draw hunts and buy over-the-counter fall bear tags with a nonresident hunting license.

Planning an Arizona bear hunt? Call Marco at 928-821-1192 or email me.