It's been my experience that if you're trying to get close to BF or get them to come close to you, you will be much less successful if you have a weapon or camera or most anything of much size in your hand, or even a shotgun or rifle slung over your shoulder. They know what a probable weapon looks like.
And I agree that they, as well as other game species, can sometimes sense when we have a predatory attitude or intend to do them harm. I don't know if this is caused by an aura, body language, or a release of pheromones, or some combination thereof.
Lee, you are right that they are curious. Many of the best sightings are purely due to curiousity and the BF have no intention at all to do anyone any harm. But I do believe that there are some BF out there that are rogues, the same as some bears, cougars, lions, and such, that will harm a human given the right opportunity. And there are others that don't appreciate you invading that particular part of their territory on that particular day or night, and will do what they can to scare or chase you away.
At night, a camera flash or spotlight does a good job at stopping a BF from coming in too close.
Posted on Mar 24, 2002, 6:30 PM from IP address 63.172.68.184