I bagged a bear in the U.P. on opening day, the 10th. It was a 240 lb male. I was in a real honey hole a relative set up for me, private land in thick cover. I went in the stand at 12:15 & the 1st bear showed up at 12:40. It don't get better than that. I had 9 bear visits before I took one, 3 at the pile was the highest at one time. I realize many visits were the same bears.
The bait was all gone by 3:30-4:00. I took a bear with about 1 hour of light left. The breeze was perfect for the stand.
I used my 284win & did the suggested magic neck shot, straight down. It was a little on the warm side, we processed the bear right after the hunt.
I'll put in for my points again & in 6+ years I'll probably go again.