Well yes and no, we had a bait that just happened to be 300 yard max from a well travelled highway and maybe 300 yards from where someone used a spot just off the highway in the forest to regularily dump garbage. This bait was screaming hot every year, I mean 2 days and a 45 gallon drum was drained! However try as we may in 3 years not one bear was harvested on that bait site and it was actually the one that had the fewest witnessed visits, our figuring was they hit it well after dark or possibly in the morning when we never could hunt. However I wouldn't say your easier spot is dud based on this, we have taken bears off spots where one wouldn't think it is the spot on the spot. As such I don't think running a bait in area that shows you sign is a complete waste of effort, cuz you just never know. I'd put a feeler bait in this local and see how it fairs. I certainly wouldn't bet the bank on one site regardless, so I would still run a primary and secondary bait min. based on sign and area. This will give you choice based on action, wind, etc! If it does turn out to be a dud then move it and try again. If the areas you mentioned are close together, than go with which ever one looks the best...2 baits in close proximity are never better than 1 placed appropriately. 2-3 miles min but the further the better IME.

Best of luck!