I hunt the Bob Marshall alone a lot, and there are lots of bears. Two things to consider. Bear spray works well, but if you are down wind,you will incapacitate yourself as well as the bear. I have practiced spraying it, and knocked myself down in a swirling wind. Not a good condition to be in with a bear. Secondly,don't shoot at ones feet to try and scare em. If you are going to shoot, don't play around, get the job done. Bears are too fast to play around with. They may run at you not away, and their you are trying to put another round in the chamber.
