There are a few bears around my area, in fact about 10 years ago, a small one carried off a rabbit cage, with rabbit, from my neighbors' yard. I buy a stamp every year, just in case I see a big one, but I'm not certain I really want one, as shooting a bear is a pretty big commitment for an old fat man that usually hunts alone these days.
Actually, the only wild bear I've ever seen was trying to cross U.S. 50 just West of the toney Northern Virginia suburban town of Middleburg. He took his time, looked both ways repeatedly, and waited for a break in the traffic, before sprinting across the highway. I've never seen a wild animal display that much reasoning power before.
