Most of the Black Bear hunting is done from the tree stand with the bait some 20 yards out. Bears are very easily spooked and generally afraid of humans, unusual sounds and smells and they take off running for the woods when scared. They don't stand their ground like Grizzlies. Bears have an excellent sense of smell, exceeding most of dogs. The use of bug sprays is not recommended as it will scare off experienced bears, use bug nets instead.
There are few dozen reported bear-caused fatalities, but considering amount of hunters in three woods every year chances are that 100 other things will kill you before the bear you are hunting. Far more dangerous are sows with cubs in the late spring to random tourists.
The best time to hunt is at dawn and after sunset as this is when most animals are most active. Consider bears ability to run away after being shot in the dark, don't kill in the evening if it is raining, or you may never find it.
Since hunting from the stand can be long and boring bring a book, water and another empty gatorade bottle just in case you need it. If you going to eat choose food with low odor and shrink wrapped in small portions, pack wrappers in zip-lock bag. You don't what to be the bait.
Oh, and if you kill it, you grill it.
