Iosco County (NE Michigan) has lots of black bears. The local newspaper has several photos each week of hunters with their trophies. It may be less populated than the SW quadrant, but bears might find more sources of food where people abound.

There are many places I do not kayak at this time of the year so as to stay out of the range of over-anxious (or even bored) hunters. Any forays into the woods during any hunting season are worthy of some extra consideration.