Try watching videos from growing deer on the buffalo method. No fertilizer or chemicals and pretty good plots in what used to be junk soil. Not a short term solution but would help you in the future.
I've killed a lot of whitetails looking through a few different Burris fullfield 3x9s and have loaned one to a lot of people who shot it with zero problems as well. They are nothing special but are leaps and bounds above a cheap packaged scope. There might be better scopes in that price range...
I have no personal experience with bears in any aspect. That said, In a charging type situation the only way I would expect to stop one is with a brain or spinal cord hit. I would not be overly worried about breaking through shoulders etc because I would expect a charging bear with a broken...
Novix raised their prices $100 from where they were a year ago. I know inputs and wages have gone up but not 40%. Kind rubbed me the wrong way. I almost bought a Helo last year and was thinking about it for this year but for $340 I'd pony up another $160 and buy a LWCG .5
If you try any out keep in mind 4 hours in one is a whole different deal than a few minutes. I had a tethrd phantom for a season and never got used to it. I could never get comfortable really struggled to keep from figetting around. I'd second wanting a platform.
If your OK with sfp that credo on europtic is going to be pretty tough to beat for 600 bucks. Its made in Japan which is typically a step above other Asian manufacturers and your not going to find another Japanese scope for 600 right now