I have seen black bears in state parks in PA when I was young. Like Yogi Bear, they were mostly scavenging for food. I also have seen them while I was hiking in woods many years ago. It's hard to encounter them as they pick up your scent before you're in view, and avoid you. Both times I saw bears on these occasions, I was turning around, looking backwards. The bears had likely picked up our scent and circled around us out of fear, and then took a peak back to see who we were.

Every summer a rogue black bear or two finds his way into a neighborhood and ups in a tree. wildlife officials are called to tranqilize the bear and return it to the woods. Last year, the news showed the clip of the bear being shot with a trnquilizer, stirring a bit, and then falling on top of a police car crushing the roof.

i like bears too, and have had black bear steaks. They were very good, but had to be tenderized and marinated.