Re my post above, I've mentioned this on other threads... any hikers ever see one of theses "tunnels", shaped like a horseshoe, recognize it for what it is and stay away from it. Black bears who make these tunnels are usually large boars or elderly dry sows (very rare for a sow) who use these as regular paths and, more importantly to note, to ambush. I know old fellahs who will not venture near a tunnel unless in pairs and with the express intent to harvest.

Some bears will construct a number of tunnels parallel and inter-joining so they can move quickly and quietly to determine what is walking along a tunnel before they attack.

Bears also parallel their game without the use of tunnels. If you hear something "following" you off to the side, a trick is to move at a fair pace and suddenly stop to listen. You'll soon know what's going on. Also, while stopped, pitch sticks or rocks ahead of you in your travel direction while stopped and listen to see if it moves forward following the noise. You can probably figure out the next move on your own.

One more thing. I would never have fired as quickly as I did if I had met up with this bear in the "open" woods.