I find the best time to hunt bear is when the wife is bear aslo.LOL

Just kiddin.

I like to hunt in the spring when they come out after the snow is gone and the hair is still thick and not rubbed off and they are hungry and calling seems to work good.
Now I don't find them to good eat'in at this time of year cause all the fat is gone.In the fall when they are putting on fat for winter and the coats a thick and glossy is also a good time to hunt.
In the spring look for the first spots to green up or the fastest food,thats were the bears will be.
In the fall look for good berry patches or your natural food sources.In Montana it is not legle to bait so we do alot of spot and stalk and tons and tons of glassing high meadows and avalanch chutes.
As for guns I like a 25 cal or larger for blackbear(I assume thats the kind were talking)if the large specices is around(grizzly) I like my .338 win mag or a good stout .30 cal rifle.
Hope this helps BBJ