I don't know your area but... I live in the Roanoke area. I hunt in Craig county which is just to the north. I went hunting Saturday and cut a couple of bear tracks. Plus the bear hunters were out with their hounds and ran several bears pretty close to me. Actually the hounds started to run one down the mountain, across the road and right at me before he turned. I was begining to feel undergunned with a .50 muzzleloader

I don't think you will be wasting your time. I have been seeing bear sign all fall, saw one last month, about a 200 pounder. Even if you don't see any you at least have an excuse to hunt Good luck.