I have hunted bear specifically in WA once. No luck.
I would not say, however, that specifically going after bear does not make sense. A lot of people do it, and a lot get bears. The bears are a lot more plentiful now that you can't get them with dogs or bait. Same with the big cats.
There is a good article on WA bear hunting in the recent edition of WA-OR Game and Fish, I believe. Most of the WA/OR hunting magazines publish bear hunting articles this time of year, with the season right around the corner.
You can be successful hunting specifically for bear in WA.
Shot placement? Do you have enough gun to break through the shoulder bone and penetrate the boiler room? If so, shoot for the shoulder for a side shot. If not, just behind the shoulder, and shoot again.
Front-on shot? Center mass. Bear in mind that I'm only book-smart in this area, not street-smart.
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"Anyone feel like saluting the flag which the strutting ATF and FBI gleefully raised over the smoldering crematorium of Waco, back in April of ‘93?" -Vin Suprynowicz