Here's the thing... the one place where I hunt (and can legally shoot a bear)... I have never seen the bear while on stand. However, I have seen his poop... and got him on the trail cam.
But... one time last year I walked over this one particular mountain (just hiking)... bam... I see bear.
Then this year while tracking Matty's deer... I walked over the same mountain again... bam... another different bear.
Its worth a try (freaking muzzleloader better go off).