Bear is like a lot of game in that their diet made a lot of difference how they taste. Had the same experience with Brant years ago. If they were coming from the ocean side they were decent fare but if they had been feeding in the bay they were so vile even they dog would not come near one. They reeked of rotting sea cabbage. Only shot them a few times before deciding not to risk it and having game no one could stand.
Had a blind on a small pond one year when early rains caused about three acres of soybeans to be flooded before harvest. What a great year we had out of that blind. Every duck was prime with a layer of fat 3/8"-1/2" thick. We released 30 ducks raised by the state and in a week had 100+ living on our pond. You could take a limit anytime of the day but we only shot it three times a week. Had those tasty birds there all year long.
