^^^ yep. Oregon has a ton of bear, I hunt it every year for elk and deer so I always add a bear and ML tag just in case. Check out Idaho too. California, believe it or not, has some really good bear hunting opportunities. There's lots of options for you.
I mean like others have said, if you have gone 40+ years without one, you definitely don't NEED one. You could always get one try it out and if you don't like it return it or sell it.
My kids will hunt public because its challenging. I want them to know the struggles and work for their success. If I let them hunt our families private, they will only use a bow and only take doe.