We have lost several cameras over the years to bears, both at bait sites and on deer trails. We have found it is better to get the camera up in a tree at a bait site and point it down at the bait. Much less likely to get messed with this way. Not that it will stop them from climbing up and checking it out as that happens .. they just don't tend to mangle them as bad as they do if they are at eye, mouth and claw level.

You know what bear seem to love?? The cheap string trail timers... we've lost dozens of them. Thankfully they are pretty cheap.