Just kidding.
So this year my two hunting goals are to get a deer, and a bear. I've had some bear through buddies at work and I really enjoyed it. So throughout the late winter/spring I've been looking at maps and gathering what information there is on bears. I've read No Bait, Just Bears!(and will probably buy his next book as well). I've got some areas picked out that I want to look at(and some that I already have), but to be honest a lot of these areas, the more I look into them, seem really inundated with hikers. Some areas that aren't overrun also have a low success percentage.
With fatherhood around the corner for me, time is going to get really limited. My wife is taking 3 months of maternity leave so getting out of the house for a day here and there won't be a huge issue. How do you guys tell the difference between a spot that will be productive vs not? Is there any good indicator at all(save for sign and food)? Look, I'm not gonna kid myself - I've lowered my expectations a bit for bear. While the goal is still to have one in my freezer, I'd be happy with just an opportunity to get one. Even if I spotted one and blew the stalk - at least I'm learning something, you know? I wish I knew someone successful at this, who's schedule sorta matched my own, who wouldn't mind showing me around/what to look for/how to hunt these. Hell, I'd be willing to help them pack out animals/share some of my harvest for an opportunity like that.
Any other advice for a newbie? Tips to make the limited time I'm gonna be in the woods as productive as possible?
Thanks guys.