[Jeff Higgins]

That's pretty darn cool he was able to catch that on camera. I've had a couple of those kinds of "conversations" with black bears over the years, without the luxury of being in a tree stand. They really are quite curious, but I swear most of them are half blind. If one is approaching it can be very effective to just start talking to them in a calm voice, or to throw a hat or glove at them so they can get a snoot full of your scent. I've had them twist and turn their heads like a big dog when I start talking. If you don't sound excited, and they feel like they have enough room, they just run off.