Rowdy, I'm in Minnesota, been here my whole life 50 years. I hunt in different area over the years, most of my hunting is North East Minnesota, along the Minnesota Wisconsin border. About and hour south of Duluth Mn. Hunting here is good. Harvest numbers are about half of what Wisconsin does. I've taken a deer each of the last two years and I also small game hunt. The area I deer hunt has some large Black Bear, I have come across them while in deer stand or out hunting. But I have yet to try Bear Hunting. I did bear hunt when younger 14 and 15. The area along the St. Croix river, North of the St Croix State park there are 400 to 600 pound black bears taken. I'm not an expert, but just like being in the woods and enjoy the outdoors. I have been bitten by the 44-40 bug and its got a good hold on me. Most of my friends hunt with .243, 7mm, .300 mag, you get the idea. But I have yet to track a whitetail that I have shot. I have had to help others track, but the 44-40 does a fine job on deer.
D-Hansen