Given the feedback, a dedicated noisemaker might be worthwhile. Bear bangers, specifically those with the pen-style launchers, seem to be a popular item for this up here. They seem relatively compact & easy to slide into an accessible pocket. I haven't picked one up myself though, so I have no personal experience with them.




I'm not sure this is actually true. I seem to recall Dr. Hererro did a study and found that a majority of black bear fatalities were due to aggressive yong males that were effectively hunting the people (a quick search turned up a NY Times article mentioning the research).


I believe that is the major study about bear spray. Smith & Hererro also did a similar study, Efficacy of Firearms for Bear Deterrence in Alaska, that makes a good companion read (you can find a copy at the end of this article: Firearms not always the best bear deterrent, study says).