I want to go beat hunting. Black Bears, I'm in the Southwest US so there are no Brown Bears as far as I know. I know literally nothing about hunting except for gun knowledge and basic outdoor survival skills.

I can hike about a mile in gear, so I intend to train for a year or more before Ill have the endurance to go on a real hunt against an animal that can kill me. I've never owned a rifle though I've shot them before, what caliber should I get?

I personally own a .40 and .45 pistol, and a 12 gauge. I doubt any of them are particularly good at bear hunting though. My intention was to buy a rifle.

What classes should I take? What gear should I get? How should I prepare? Should I try hunting small game or deer first?