Byron, it seems that, like polar bears,
black bears occasionally learn to attack humans for food. They don’t roar and threaten like grizzlies, who usually start attacks over territorial and personal space issues, not for meat. Polar bears just walk right up and kill you with very little fuss.
If a black bear seems to be approaching without a threat display, but just intently sizing you up as a potential acquisition, some claim you should counter-attack with any weapon you have. Obviously that would be one case where a gun would be great to have.
Most black bear attacks have been characterized as related to cubs, or occasionally to territorial or personal space issues. Those are the kind that might be handled by backing up slowly while facing the bear, etc. But the predatory kind is a different kind of animal, shown by a bear that has learned that humans are meat on the foot.
After you’ve been here awhile, you’ll…
Learn the ropes. The “do’s & do not’s”. You’ll get the politics of the site pretty quick (it is FULL of politics).
Paddle easy,
Coffee
At least have the proper equipment
If we are talking brown bears and polar bears a hand gun is not adequate. Most rifles are not adequate. Those who routinely have to deal with dangerous bears, like my friend who regularly goes to Barrow, Alaska, typically have two criteria: if possible, don't kill the bear and if you have to kill the bear be sure that one shot will stop it. So they use a 12 gauge shotgun. The first two shells are flares. The next three are slugs (preferably sabot slugs). My friend has had numerous encounters with bears and has never had to go beyond the second flare.
Important edit: use only an open choke shotgun.
Good advise…
unless you know your way around a 454 Casull. Last bear country trip we loaded flares first, slugs second. The Casull, though was more portable and with 300 grain soft points, very formidable.
Dogmaticus