Schultzy has it right....there are always a few more details, but you can only run through so many in the field to make your shotdescisions. Baited hunting does seem to take a little out of the challenge...but there are arguements on both sides....
NC where I am from has the biggest Black Bears in the world...pricey anymore to hunt them generally and numbers on big boys getting lower with time and influx of non-resident hunters (and dog hunters)....but over 600lbs not all that rare....898lbs is stillthe NCrecord far as I know...probably still World record too...not absolutely sure anymore....he was a big, fat bugger-bear ! Shot at a hog farm eating hog carci from dumpster....near Vanceboro NC.
Hyde, Tyrrel, Washington, Beaufort Counties are the best for the "Big-Boys"....