Neighbor caught this guy on his trail cam on the small plot he hunts about three miles from our neighborhood.

NICE! That is a great looking bear!

It fired him up enough that he's going to invest in a VA Non-res tag, $150!

My son and his boy saw a smaller one on Saturday on the farm they hunt about 7 miles from here. He was busy eating wild grapes and they got pretty dang close before either party noticed the other.

As a Certified Geezer with a lifetime license, I don't need a tag in WV, which is only $10 anyway for residents. Bear season runs pretty much with the bow and gun seasons for deer in this county, so if I see one, I can take a swing if I want. Still not sure if I want to, but that pic has me leaning in that direction. A bear is a pretty big load for an old fat man, though.

Pappy, if you have a chance, take it. There will be young whippersnappers around that are willing to help you drag him out.
Maybe, talk to Guy (Cascade) about bear sausages, have him processed and have the help over for a barbecue.

Bottom line - have faith. People can come together across the transgenerational divide and hunting is one activity, where this regularly happens.

Nice bear.

Have seen a couple bears out grouse/turkey hunting in the last couple weeks, and a bunch of sign. The numbers must be getting pretty high in my part of Montana. May have to get a tag next year, and find some good sausage recipes.

Pretty bear.