I almost went to get my bear license last evening. But I've gone several years with the smokepole, and was unsuccessful. The owner of the property I was hunting on, gets trail camera pictures of bear all year until about the 1st of Nov., then they seem to disappear. Around here, your chances of getting one hunting by yourself is slim to none. Your odds are much better hunting with a gang. With my hunting track record, I'll just go to see the bear others have killed.