“I suspect a handgun would be more effective than ‘bear spray’.”
I would agree, especially since the guy in this incident said the bear wasn’t close enough to use bear spray on. How close does the bear have to be? I don’t think I’d want to find out. Sounds like spraying a wasps nest with the hose from a few feet away.
Not knowing anything about bear spray, I will stand by: Too Close.
The stuff I carry, about 30 feet. At which point you can count the pointy teeth. And yes, I have seen Griz in the wild.
It's a judgment call. If Mr. Bear is only following, curious or actually stalking, then a ground spray in front of him or her is pretty effective, which is what all these "studies" are reporting. However, if the bear has committed to an attack profile, forget it. They'll charge right through that mist and you won't like what happens next. What the rangers carry is shotguns loaded with slugs. I'm taking that as good advice.