You're dealing with a bear that is losing its fear of humans. That's VERY bad for the bear. You are also teaching it that **BANG** doesn't hurt.

Stood up on its hind legs to get a better whiff; maybe you were downwind? Their eyesight is rather poor too.

Relocation isn't an effective option; the reason being that after they're about 2 y/o they've got a pretty strong homing instinct, so they'd be back on their own turf in a matter of weeks- read: waste of taxpayer money.

Don't know about the wildfire situation in your area, but they've lost some habitat, plus they're trying to get fattened up for the winter, so that makes 'em move around too.

That ($#*&(&@$ woman needs to be fined by F&G for feeding them; endangerment not only for the two leggeds, but the 4leggeds too. The folks down in ANC finally have a fine in place for people who set out their trash too soon, draws the bears right in and habituates them; has been a real problem.

Yep, time for bear jerky; get your tag. We can take up to 3 blackies a year as residents in my GMU. They make some right tasty stew if they've been in the berries.

MMMMMMMmmmmmmmm berry bear.