So some buddies and I were out for Bear this past weekend, and we ended up at the end bearless (saw one in a ranchers field, rancher said no) and discussing strategy. We were really weighing these two things: 1. Drive logging roads looking for cuts and hopefully a bear in them. 2. Finding natural fields, or cleaned-up cuts (via google earth, driving etc) and hiking to them (with driving as close as reasonable), and through/around them.
Our struggle is mostly driving means covering lots of ground, but you are noisier, and it is not all that enjoyable (we love being out in nature). Doing the hiking means you cover way way less ground, but you are out and about, and probably a lot quieter, and enjoy the overall process more. But really in the end its about getting bear. What's more effective? (especially from those who have tried both)