It occured to me that the reason so many people are encountering bears while camping is because they stay in state or national parks. Those bears are trained to seek food there and are used to being around humans.
I only camp in dispersed sites and dont recall ever having a bear in camp. That doesnt mean it hasnt happened but they didnt disturb me. And I have spent 1000s of nites in the woods.
My friend Dax did have a bear get into a stash he left deep in the mountains for cow camp. Apperently bears love propane and stove fuel ! It must be like whiskey to them ...lol
He still uses the mess kit with teeth marks .