So cheap for a long season...you'd have to ask the Dept of Fish and Game for that. Not a lot of people specifically look for bear.
Washington has the highest black bear pop in the lower 48.
It is thick in areas with bear, but if you know how to find them, it can be done on the west side or east.
Deer and elk are more popular, yes.
Most of my shots for bear are 50 yards or less, last bear I shot was about 30 yards. Depends on where you hunt and how. Lewis is pretty open, so 100 yards is probably right, if not farther, depending.
Weapon choice...you should be fine. Look at the shot placement for bears at the top of the forum.
If you don't gut the bear, you miss out on the tenderloins. Other than that, it is similar to deer.
Oh, and follow the blue links at the bottom of my post if you want a little book on how to hunt em.
Best of luck.