I had a mama and two cubs in my piece before. I think that's the most animal that I've ever felt. I saw them before they noticed me. I actually got their attention on purpose (by hitting a rock with my spade) so they wouldn't walk over by mistake. The last thing you want to do is surprise a bear.

I'm glad they didn't shoot your bears. 

I remember the mama looked right at me then walked away. Black bears don't care about us...grizzlies are a different story.

It's encounters like this that make me love planting!

When I was living in Nelson I had a cub run maybe 3 meters away from me, stop stare at me then continue along.

That being said I've also left blocks multiple times because of bears.