This guy certainly could eat a lot of my figs, ... and anything else he wants. He made 3 appearances tonight. I think I need a bigger fence.

SteveNJ
I am not competing here.
His three appearances may not be for the figs. Be careful (unless it is a stuffed one).

he was actually going after my neighbor's garbage. He came back 3 times in about 45 minutes taking a bag each time down the hill in the background. A pretty common occurrence around here. They hang around for a couple of days then move on. I've seen at least 2-3 different ones this year but this guy is definitely the fattest so far. But if I had some ripe figs, I'm sure he would have found a way into my yard. A fence is not much of an obstacle for these guys when they are hungry especially in early spring or late fall.

Steve when you took picture you were in the house? Do you have any pets that he could go after, i thought i had a problem with wasp but i never would have dreamed about a bear problem. When your figs get ripe he surley would enjoy them i bet they say bears can smell for a very long distance and can out run a human easily.
WOW
Martin

     Those big fellows are notorious Blueberry raiders. They'll wrap those front legs around a bush, shake it and clean up the ground out here in PA. I suppose they could learn how sweet a ripe fig is too. Then you'd be on his feedin' list. GET A BIGGER TRAP!

Dieseler - I was on my porch across the street, maybe 200 ft or so away. They usually stop, take a look at you then go back to their garbage picking. They are not concerned by you at all. I've had them come a lot closer than that. You usually need to worry if you see cubs because mom is around and very protective. Of course, they are very fast and amazing climbers but I was never more then a few steps from my front door.

LittleCityFarmer - We have wild rasberries and strawberries around and they love them. I'm hoping since this year is my first fig crop, that he moves on before they ripen. Otherwise, he'll get them and I won't. I look at it this way, I live on his turf so there isn't much I can do about it. Live and let live.  

I don't think we have any of them around here thank goodness!
 
But if I ever see one a couple hundred feet from my house, it will be 0/6 time.
 
Cecil

Live and let live I say. Haven't had any real trouble (other than occasionally having to pick up after the mess). The kids (3 boys) get a real kick out of looking at them (of course from the safety of the house - only Dad is nuts enough to be outside snapping pictures).

This bear attack just happened this week in BC Canada:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/08/12/bc-bear-attack-victim-speaks.html

That's terrible. They can be unpredicatable and dangerous - not to be messed with. I usually keep a large distance, never turn my back and never more than a step or two from safety.