So I went out tonight to a spot I was hunting in the spring where there was a ton of stripped trees. I walked to the end of a road, and on the way back out I could hear alot of noise in the brush. As I waited I got eaten alive for about 15 min by mosquitos. I wont forget the thermacel next time! Anyway it got within 15 feet of it but I never saw it through the brush. It walked parallel to the road and I kept back stepping hoping to catch a glimpse. When I finally did see it I could not tell what part I was looking at. I couldnt belive it was only 10 to 15 feet and no shot. Ive never been that excited, nervous, and shakey before while hunting, and ive taken quite a few animals just never a bear yet. It was intense! I never made noise and kept back stepping with it as it walked down the side of the road in the brush, then it just turned and walked into the woods away from me. Tonight I am heartbroken! It will take me awhile to get over this one. So close to my first bear.