There’s something raw and humbling about hunting black bears in Montana. Over the past seven years, I’ve been fortunate to notch a tag on a mature bear every season that I have hunted there - some real stud boars that have pushed my limits as a hunter. From logging roads to remote backcountry cuts, I’ve learned that consistently tagging a bear in Montana takes more than luck. It takes grit, persistence, patience, and a real understanding of bear behavior.

In this article, I’ll walk you through a few of the key strategies that have helped me find success. But first, let’s talk about just how alive Montana is with bears and why managing and hunting them is so critical.

Montana is home to an estimated 13,000 to 17,000 black bears, and in some areas of the state, particularly the dense lodgepole pine forests, there’s roughly one bear per square mile. You won’t always be able to glass them like you would in open country - that thick timber swallows everything - but if you know where to look and what signs to key in on, you can find them.

Another important reason for black bear hunting in Montana is due to their role as predators on ungulates. According to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and various studies, black bears are responsible for a significant percentage of ungulate calf mortality, particularly elk and deer. In certain parts of the state, bear predation accounts for up to 40% of calf mortality during the spring calving season.

Conservation-minded hunting helps keep this balance in check. It’s a challenging, fair chase pursuit that also benefits other wildlife.

Most of our black bear hunting in Montana is done in the company of others; friends, family, and at a minimum a cameraman friend. Life is just better with folks you enjoy being with. C.S. Lewis stated "Friendship is unnecessary... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival." Sharing the experience of a hunt isn’t necessary for success, but it sure as hell adds value and is straight up more fun. 

Whomever we share the hunt with, we take advantage of being on the same page before and during the hunt, both figuratively and literally - a digital page but still a page. I do this by building a Hunt Area in my HuntStand app. 

HuntStand Hunt Areas give you the ability to build a map for a specific piece of land with all your data like pins, lines, shapes, photos, and notes independent of the regular HuntStand map. Think of it as a separate folder or container housing a specific map of your favorite hunting spot. One of the coolest features of HuntStand Hunt Areas is the ability to share and collaborate with hunting partners so they see the same mapped area, data, and can add or change data themselves. Like I said, it puts us all on the same digital page for a hunt. 

If you’re done with a HuntStand Hunt Area, you can delete it along with all the data. And if a hunting buddy becomes no longer a hunting buddy, you can unshare it so they can no longer see the hunt area map they opened their big mouth about. 

Click here to see a quick bare bones tutorial on how to create a hunt area and here on how to share.

1. Hunt Logging Roads

If you’ve ever hunted western Montana, you know how overgrown and thick it can be. Logging roads are your friend.

These roads are usually more open, letting sunlight in and encouraging lush green growth - exactly what spring bears are after. Bears are also creatures of efficiency. They love taking the path of least resistance, and logging roads provide just that.

Here’s what I look for: fresh scat. A pile of warm, green bear scat is like a neon sign. If you start seeing multiple piles in the same stretch of road over a few days, you’ve likely found a bear’s routine. One of my biggest Montana boars came off a logging road - 20 yard frontal. He never saw me. You can watch that video here.

2. Key In on Clear Cuts

Whether they’re naturally occurring meadows or the result of timber harvests, clear cuts are bear magnets in spring and early summer. All that fresh grass, clover, and other vegetation pulls bears out of the timber for easy, high-calorie feeding.

But here’s the deal: this is a patience game. You might sit for hours without seeing anything, but when a bear shows up, it happens fast. Make sure the wind’s in your favor, stay glassing, and stay ready. Some of these open cuts may only be 20 yards wide so you will need to classify the bear quickly and determine if it’s a shooter because in the blink of an eye he could be gone.

Montana doesn’t allow baiting bears, so these food-rich openings become even more valuable for spot-and-stalk opportunities. Another one of my biggest boars came from a deep backcountry cut, a multi-day hike in and pack out. It was worth every mile.

You can e-scout and find clear cuts and logging roads from the comfort of your home by hopping on HuntStand and using their new 3D Maps.

3. Use Predator Calls

By the time June rolls around, bears start shifting from grass to protein. Something you need to know about black bears is that they’re opportunistic predators. Fawn bleats, calf-in-distress cries, and small game squeals can all trigger an aggressive response - especially if you’re deep enough into the backcountry.

This tactic works best when you’re close to bedding cover or areas thick with animal sign. Set up where your scent is controlled and call sparingly. I’ve had bears come in fast and aggressive. Always be ready.

4. Get Off the Beaten Path

You’ve heard it before, but it’s more true with bear hunting than just about anything: go where others won’t. Most hunters walk the first mile or two of a road or trail and turn back. The further in you get - five to ten miles deep - the better your odds become.

I’ll hike deep into a drainage, glass open cuts all afternoon, and sleep in the dirt if I have to. The payoff? Less pressure, more bears, and a much greater chance at a mature boar that’s lived a few hard winters.

Want to see these tips in the field? Watch my 2025 Montana Bear Hunt below. You’ll see how I use logging roads, cuts, and predator calls to close the distance on a mature black bear. Fair warning - this hunt required miles on foot, long glassing hours, and total commitment. But that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding.

Here’s the gear I relied on for my latest Montana bear hunt. When you’re 10+ miles deep, every ounce—and every piece of equipment—has to earn its keep.

Firearm Setup

• Rifle: TS Customs 25 Creedmoor – lightweight, accurate, and built for the mountains.

  ‣ Features a MDT HNT26 foldable stock, PROOF carbon fiber barrel, and Stiller Wombat action.

• Suppressor: KGM R30K – quiet, reliable, and compact enough for backcountry carry.

• Scope: NightForce NX8 4-32x50 – rugged, crystal-clear glass with the reach to handle those long, open-country shots.

Optics & Harness

• Bino Harness: Muley Freak Game Changer R – streamlined design, easy access, and secure fit for your glass.

• Tripod: MUTNT Gear Tripod – lightweight, tough, and steady in rough terrain.

Sidearm Setup

• Pistol: Walther PDP 9mm – compact yet capable for backcountry defense.

• Holster: Muley Freak Game Changer Holster – made to pair seamlessly with the harness for fast access.

Pack & Transport

• Backpack: Muley Freak Proto – roomy, organized, and built to handle a heavy pack-out.

• Truck: Young Chevy ZR2

• Off-Road Wheels: Kawasaki Ridge – gets you as close to the action as the terrain will allow before the boots hit the trail.

Clothing & Footwear

• Boots: Zamberlan 4014 Lynx with BOA system – incredibly supportive and built for tough terrain.

• Clothing: Muley Freak Layering System – regulates temp across long hikes and shifting weather.

• Socks: Muley Freak Elite Merino Socks – cushioned, breathable, and blister-resistant for the long miles.

Camp Setup

• Tent: Kodiak Canvas – durable, weatherproof, and built for extended stays in the backcountry.

• Sleeping Bag: Kodiak Z Top – warm enough for those cold high-country nights.

• Chairs: Kodiak Lazy Bear – because even in the backcountry, a little comfort goes a long way

Montana’s bear hunting is not for the faint of heart. It takes endurance, a good eye for sign, and the ability to adapt. But if you put in the work and pay attention to the details, this state can reward you with a hunt you’ll never forget.

Whether it’s your first season or your seventh, I hope these tips help put you in front of a bear this year. Good luck out there and remember, the real trophy is the grind. Go “Earn It”.