This isn't so much a question on how to hunt them, but how to get the opportunity. I have never hunted bears. About 10 years ago, I was convinced by family who went almost every year, and were quite successful. They were not that far north of Brainerd. I put in for the lottery in area 45 and didn't get it in two years. I think it was 2014, I was living in Staples and was seeing bears often to the north, so again put in for area 45 with no luck. Last year I decided to give it another shot, but figured area 45 was close enough to the cities, and was overrun with hunters. I decided to put in for area 13 just because it seemed like it gave me the best chance, plus its practically all state forest. Still no draw. I'm thinking of putting in again this year, but holy moley what does it take to get drawn in this state? I see bears often enough, and bear hunters seem increasingly rare. The only guys I know that hunt September are bow hunting deer.
Am I putting in for the wrong areas, or is it just that hard? Driving and baiting are a long after thought. It seems so weird considering I turkey hunt the A season every year. They have a lottery for that, but in 10 years I have never not been drawn.
I am also considering hunting No-Quota. I'm not too optimistic. Alexandria, which is second home for me (the real home), I have not seen a bear there in my lifetime. That's only 30 miles or so from the no-quota border. I grew up in Annandale, never seen a bear, only 26 miles from the border. The most southern bear I've seen was when driving on highway 10, not far outside of Little falls. I've seen horror stories online about the north east bit of no-quota, Hinckley/Pine city with gross over crowding.
Looking west I'm seeing very little public land, and knowing the area, not much for bear. Maybe Detroit Lakes?