The most sure-fire way is to find someone with dogs. This is an exciting way to hunt them and is probably your best bet.
Spot and stalk around beanfields can be good around here, but most of the good land is private and you need to be in a club. Bears are particularily fond of peanut fields. They'll use the same paths to access a productive field. Early and late is the best time to spot them. In one area I hunt, they have to go across a canal and cross a road to get to the fields. We'll ride the road, early in the morning and look for places on the road where a wet bear went across, during the night. I've spotted quite a few like this. A friend of mine pulled off a long stalk last year and got one with a bow. You can also pattern them, like deer, and ambush them coming to the field in the evening.
Stand hunting on public grounds can be productive. The well known public lands around here get pounded during bear season, though. I see quite a few while deer hunting from treestands, but they get scarce once bear season opens.
Good luck still hunting them. I've run into a few on bear sanctuaries, still hunting, but they get very shy in areas where they are hunted. If they're feeding on gum berries, you might see one up in a tree. I can about guarantee he'll have seen you first.
I'd look at the harvest figures for SC to find which counties to check out and go from there. If you're in an area with bears, they leave very distinctive signs. It's an interesting feeling, the first time you see deep scratch marks in a tree, a couple of feet higher than your head. Stepping over a steaming pile of bear crap, first thing in the morning, makes hunting a little more interesting, too. What's in the pile is a clue to what they've been feeding on, btw.
Bears have very good noses. I've heard they're near sighted but they seem to see movement well enough.
We're not allowed to bait here, either.
I've heard you all have pretty good hog hunting down there, too.
Good Luck
