The difference with chumming and "natural chum" i.e whale carcass is that there is actually a food source at the end of the trail. And yes bears are smarter. When they find a food sent with no food at the end of it they do not waste anymore of their energy ( important to all wild creatures) trying to find what is not there.

And even though an animal has a small brain it can still be conditioned. There are records of fishermen conditioning barracuda to herd fish.

exactly like what happens at a reef where the fish are fed by snorkleing groups. You get in the water and there are fish all at the surface, knowing what is coming next.

I am not saying your opinion is wrong or condemimg it, just stating mine.