Bcwn, I black bear hunt over bait in Maine, and I always hunt from a ground blind because I have some mobility issues!! The shots are generally close, and again I'm on the ground and not in a tree. Both my son and I always wear Gillie suits. I believe the ones we wear are made by Browning, they are a light weight material, the break up the silhouette very well, extremely quiet, light weight, and they also are a mosquito net/protection as well. I have shot quite a few bear over the years wearing the suit, have been heard, but never seen by the animals. I would not ever consider bear hunting without one. I also wear a military boonie hat with a black face mask and light weight camo gloves when I hunt.