When at all possible carry a gun, I remember being told to drink the koolaid that in Canada you are safe in the bush and that bears are cute. After a lifetime of living in the Boreal west of lake Superior that this is not the case. Bears are unpredictable, it does not take much to piss one off. Accidentally getting between cubs and the mom can be a death sentence. Rogue males looking for a meal are another, more than once I've been named 'Dinner' by black bear and its scary. The hair stands on the end of one's back when the bear matches his step with yours, at that point the only thing that can be done is to take the aggressive stance. I make myself big, grab a large stick and hold it over one's head, scream and run at the bear, don't even think of running away from him. Chances are it will back off, if not then your in real trouble.
If you cannot carry a gun, at least carry a decent fixed blade as a last resort and for making weapons by sharpening the end of a stick to makeshift a spear. You need only to sharpen the stick, and keep your knife handy in its sheath. Carry bear spray, make noise talking or clapping to lessen the chances of spooking bear. In the tent at night is another thing, keep the camp fire burning when camping in known bear country.
If you cannot carry a gun, at least carry a decent fixed blade as a last resort and for making weapons by sharpening the end of a stick to makeshift a spear. You need only to sharpen the stick, and keep your knife handy in its sheath. Carry bear spray, make noise talking or clapping to lessen the chances of spooking bear. In the tent at night is another thing, keep the camp fire burning when camping in known bear country.
