re: Since bears have been in the news lately. Have you ever seen one

Plenty of times between the Smokies, Tetons, Glacier National Park etc. Never had a bear encounter that felt dangerous but sure thought a deer was going to spook and whip my arse because it insisted on waking within 2 feet of me.

Here's a bear photo, one of 5 cubs playing in a tree while 2 patient mothers slept on the ground below.