My buddy saw a decent black bear crossing his road about 200yds from his house a couple days ago.

Wish he got a pic.
Might try some bear hunting....

This doesn't happen much around here.
If you hold up your left hand to show MI's lower pen Oceana co is your pinky knuckle.

((((( please don't turn this into a legal debate )))

But... this kind of stuff makes me wish it was legal to carry a sidearm while bowhunting in MI without having to have a concealed weapon permit.

Why do you need a sidearm? I have a single wide hunting cabin in Oceana County and a black bear bent the clothes pole to take down my suet cakes!

Lots of bears here in PA and I've never felt the need to carry a side arm.  Just be halfway smart when you encounter a bear and you'll be fine.  If you put things into perspective, being attacked by a bear is one of the least likely ways you could get hurt while bowhunting.

Had an encounter 2 years ago in July driving a dirt road South of Baldwin in Newaygo county. The picture we took is not good and if you look real close all you can see is a black fur spot.

It was a LARGE sow with 2 cubs.

I hope to encounter one while on stand this fall if I get up there. I think it would be pretty wild to watch a bear for a while.

OFF TOPIC:
I heard a story from a reputable source that a guy in Oceana had some trouble with a pack of coyotes circling him in a field while walking out one night...

Ei

Our cabin is near Walkerville and there have been a few bear sightings recently and I heard the yote story also.....Scott

yeah, I've heard the yote story too.

Urban myth?.... you decide.