Hey Tom. 1st let me say I don't claim to be a bear expert at all. This was the first bear i've shot with my bow. I killed one with a gun a few years ago. I live in an area that is loaded with bear. I bet I've seen 25 since last may. not on stand, but just driving to and from work. On my way to the Hickory shoot this year I saw a monster 2miles up the road from where I live. He was in the ditch trying to cross the road and I thought it was one of my friends cows out. I slowed down and stopped with him right there. trying to get my camera out and he wheeled back in the pines. when I drove off, I looked in my rearview and he was in the road. This Bear had no legs, which means to me he would go over 500 easy. The creek that runs behind my house flows into the Trent river and that into the neuse. On a hard, or few days south west wind the water blows out into the Pamlico sound. the creek gets real low and I've seen tracks and scat where they will feed on sunken acorns which now are not sunken. This bear came right down the creek bank feeding along and lucky or not, he made himself stop about 8 yards from me. No magic, and I may never shoot another, but I will be back in that swamp again next year for sure. I know a guy who has shot a couple by seeing them on long plulp wood roads and stalking them. give me a call if you got any more questions. good luck. Don