I grew up in the U.P. hunting bear, I have hunted them in WI and MN.
the state with the highest population is definatly MN, you can buy a licence over the counter for most areas and with the proper baiting can almost always shoot a bear.
the other good part is MN does not allow dog hunting for bear. so the bear will sit on your bait almost all season.
I may be willing to do some private guiding in northern MN, I wouldn't charge much just the price of some time, bait and gas to run around.
you would have to just get a place to stay.