The predatory black bear is usually a mature male looking for a big meal and I agree that it's the case with Peter Upton's story.

"MOST" black bears are not the primary bears that attack people is what I was getting across. IIRC Mountain Lions are more dangerous and even then when I did research there are ~100 deaths on record for California since the late 1800's for Mountain Lions, and Black Bears were less. You have MUCH greater chance of injuring yourself by falling than a black bear attack IMHO.

Of the 102 recorded death by bears in north america, 50 by Brown (Grizzly) and 52 by Black. Obviously, more blacks that browns across north america, but just proves that no bear encounter is good.

I will not trust my families life with a pepper spray. I carry a S&W 329PD .44 mag loaded with Double Tap 320gr WFN. weights less than 30oz loaded!

And I practice a lot with it!

Steve


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_bear_attacks_in_North_America_by_decade

I ran the #s before too if you are a Female, elderly, young or alone your risk is significantly greater too. FWIW that WIKI page has Canada too, I never looked at Canada only California when I looked.

A shotgun with slugs is good bear medicine, but so is my .45-70. As for handguns, a Casull ain't bad either. Ballistically, it's very close to a .45-70.

In the area I live and up in northern Canada, many outdoors and wilderness workers carry a Marlin 45-70 lever action for bear protection. This rifle and caliber will bring down any bear....grizzly, black and polar.

If you don't reload, here's a good place for 45-70 ammo.

http://www.garrettcartridges.com/products.asp