Bears read the laws and left before legal shooting

[deadeye]

Looks like the bears have been keeping up on the hunting seasons. Bears were at the bait until 5:00AM opening morning.
I may have run them off when I road my wheeler to the tree stand. I just couldn't convince myself it's a good idea to
walk through the woods in the dark when even in daylight visibility is often restricted to a few feet.

[Jerkbiat]

They knew you were there for sure. Any extra noise makes them nocturnal.

[deadeye]

Historically, at least for me, the noise we make actually attracts them. Just a couple weeks ago my grandson and I cut the reeds hanging over the "trestle". While we went beyond the trestle to clear some trails, a bear came alone 1 1/2 hours later and followed our tracks.  One hour after we returned, another bear also followed our path, I assume looking for what the noise (Wheelers) was all about. I have had enough experience with bears on my property to not worry about making noise and I actually use it as a hunting technique.  On a nice day I will walk through the woods making noise by breaking branches and pounding sticks against trees. Then when I reach a deer stand, I will sit in it for half an hour watching my backtrail for a bear that may be following me. You just have to love trail cameras to see what goes on when you are not there.