Well, I finally pulled a bear license. Here in Michigan we have a points and lottery system, so you apply, accumulate points, and finally get a license when you have have enough points and they pull your number (that's the short story on it anyway). After 6 years I finally have one!

I'll be hunting in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, so it isn't exactly "bear country" but we do have our share, and in the past couple years I have laid eyeballs on bears as I was deer hunting as well as trail cam pics, so I'm feeling pretty good. When I was growing up there were many guys hunting bears with dogs in my area, but as time passed there have been many fewer guys hunting bears with dogs and the number of bears has gone up.

The hunt in my area (Red Oak district) has two periods - 8 days of firearm followed by two weeks of down time, and then 7 days of archery - so I could live the dream and end up getting one with my bow. I wish the archery period came first, but it is what it is.

Planned firearm set-up is to use my Thompson Center .50 muzzle loader, and I'm planning on getting a .357 mag soon for backup.
Archery, I'll use my Bear Grizzly recurve of course.

I've been doing a lot of research on vital organ location, preferred bait and methods, and I have three locations in mind, though one I'll need permission for one and the third is on public land, but in thick bear area.
Any advice from others on considerations for a first-time bear hunter? I have been a hunter my whole life and consider myself a capable and competent outdoorsman, but this is my first bear hunt.
weapon choice, including practice and proficiency
bait
bait methods
locations - number of and ground vs. tree
recovery - I should have at least two friends available to help, and can call in relatives if needed.

Thanks, i hadnt seen that site.

I googled that bear incident, good read:
http://articles.petoskeynews.com/2010-10-12/wildlife-officers_24132008