I have been seeing more bears in the last 3 years than I have in the past 38 years of hunting.I have had a bear try to climb my ladder stand with me in it . Encountered a mama with 3 cubs at ground level. I had a Healthy bear follow me out of the woods at dark for 300 yds thick brush. Had another bear follow me 2 days in a row to my deerstand. That bear was apparently hit by a car and it was limping hard on its front.Found dead a week later. Same bear had followed another hunter on the lease. I don't carry any food and there was no bait as it's illegal here in NY. I won't bow hun anymore without my glock. Any time I'm out and about my 21 is with me. Might not be a 10mm or a 454 but it's something with me.