Hey Scout, We used an outfitter. I applied for Zone 12, where I arrowed a bear last year but didn't draw. So I called Tim Irlbeck of Grygla who has a few baits in the no-quota, and I bought the kid's licenses over the counter. Irlbeck has some unbelieveable baits out that have a lot of bears on them in Zone 12. One guy videotaped 17 different bears on a bait in one afternoon and evening. His hunters take several P&Ys every year and he has some color phase too. One guy shot a beautiful chocolate while we were there. He's pretty booked up and he doesn't do any advertising, that gives you an idea of how good it is.
I'm doing an article about the hunt for Bear Hunting Magazine and I'll have more info about it in the article if you are a subscriber.