Personally, I look at bears as predators, just like a wolf.one doesn't eat wolf meat, but they tan the hide, etc. In the spring, bears consume more elk calves than any other predator and in some areas of the west,they represent the major decline of elk populations.
Consequently, I get a bear tag, a wolf tag and mountain lions tag every year, in case I see one. I understand those that say, if I shoot it, I must eat it, and that's fine. I will shoot a bear, but I won't eat it; won't eat a wolf, and won't eat a lion either. But I have no problem in hunting them.

Pap