We can assume bear spray while under attack will only add flavor and ability for biologists and state shooters to pin the murder on the right bear.

Rifle, shotgun with proper slugs, large caliber pistol or wheel gun with hard cast bullets seems about the best option.

But, like Shrapnel said waaaay back in this thread; it’s still no guarantee when you got a determined, pissed off, massive animal that is covering ground to you in a blink of an eye, cuz you’re on the menu for “Special of the Day” 😎

Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog
“Molon Labe”