Many times bears will appear with just a few minutes of shooting light left. Areas with plentiful forage may keep a bear interested for several days. Spot and stalk is a favorite technique in many western states. Results are best where bears are concentrated. To scout an area, check for grass that appears to have been cut by a lawnmower.
Bears often chew grass uniformly, making a swath as they move.
The presence of droppings will be a telltale clue that bears and not deer or elk are using the area. Look for tracks along roads, especially along mudholes where imprints are more easily left. Baiting requires fairly constant attention if you try to do it yourself. The bait must be replenished regularly when bears and other scavengers make off with it. The most obvious requirement in baiting is to locate it where a bear can find it.