Free: Contests & Raffles.
I won't completely rule out the bear but I will say that I have bear coming to most my sets and it doesn't seem to bother the deer much. In the past I have had things slow down for a couple days when I drop a bale of alfalfa. However, this isn't always the case. Now, there is a possibility that he has had a negative experience(s) over a bale of alfalfa or with a bear and that may have taught him a lesson. Perhaps you can try starting another set without alfalfa within a few hundred yards of your current set (and in an area you think he travels) to see if he hits that one. Again be careful about putting to much pressure on the area. I think it is primarily due to the time of year. As you already know he didn't get that big by being dumb. I would try to limit your exposure to the area as much as possible just in case that is the problem. Do you have clear ingress/egress routes or is it difficult to travel without making a ton of noise?
