Carry something which will give out ear piercing sound, outside of the human hearing range. A continuous loud whistle while walking through woods will give the bears to move out of the way. Humans are not a natural prey for bears. Bears attack because they are surprised. And especially if it is a mama bear with cubs.
When I was younger, I bear hunted in E TN and with Plott hounds...When I chased the dogs, I carried a Ruger Super Black Hawk in .44 mag...Killed three with it...No problems...
When I was one of the stand hunters and someone else chased, I used a Marlin .35 caliber lever action...Killed 2 with it...No problems...
In Ontario, when we went up there, I used the Marlin...Killed
3 there...Again, no problems...
I left the front porch light on over night and moved the bird bath away from the house.
I intend to hit him with a thrown rock and then slam the door closed. Haven’t seen him or tracks in 3 days.
Black bear. Connecticut suburbs.
Baloney. Bears are also curious and may want to see what the sound is. Bears can also just be flat out mean and bad tempered. Some are easy going. People who work around them think they have distinct personalities. And yes indeed, we are in their natural prey list. If they can find you, the will kill and eat you.
The whole foods mentality is not a truly reliable way to make you safe from large bears.