eru817, I hunt in Essex County normally; however, at least once each year for the last 3 years, I have bear hunted way out West in Becket/Washington (state forest). I am going this year too. Pretty hard to hunt bear and be successful doing it once or twice a year, but two years' ago I had a chance at 150-200 lbs (est.) bear. The only problem was that just as he poked his head out of the treeline, I was standing up in the open (nature call) without my rifle. By the time I snuck back, he moved off just prior to or at the same time as my shot (150 yds). Went into the woods to look for blood etc. (very nervous 10-15 minutes) without seeing anything, until suddenly I heard him moving off at high speed out of sight.

Last year, I went in early September, after sitting in my stand for 6 hours or so, I hear voices. Two 60 yr. old couples out for a nature walk literally walked right up to me after losing the trail. Needless to say, they were a little suprised to see a camo-clad hunter stand up with a rifle from 15 feet. Although they were pleasant enough about it, they sort of messed up my scent control.