I live about 20 minutes away from a few thousand acres of public land, and about 45 minutes from hundreds of thousands of acres of public land. I might try to get on some dog hunts for bear, but that's not high on my list. I want to kill a bear (rifle) in the mountains without bait or dogs. I already know it's going to be a chore. Anyone on here have experience bear hunting without bait or dogs in Appalachian Mountains? I'll take all of the pointers I can get.

Planning on walking a good bit, looking for food (white oaks mostly) and bear sign along ridges, in the next week.