5 trips 3 bears, one of which was a DIY hunt. All in the Canadian hunts were only slightly more expensive than the DIY. Between gas and bait and missing a day of work here and there it ate me alive, but there was the satisfaction.
I learned to put a higher value on the rendered lard. I’m pretty well over seed oils, and the bear lard is premium stuff for cooking. My first use was in popcorn as I figured it was pennies invested, never looked back.
Archery once in early 80’s, only saw 1 bear, we were too early that spring. Tikka 300WM once, Marlin 1895 45/70 twice. All of mine were from the ground 15-60yds shots over bait. It’s a nice lower pressure relaxed hunting experience. Mosquitoes will eat you alive, if you’ve not experienced them in the north woods you can’t understand. Deer flies were the bane of my baiting experience making the mosquitoes seem pleasant.
