Sample size alone obviates any statistical study of these events. Personally, I do hike in bear country and I do carry both. But nothing is a substitute for situational awareness - most bear attacks occur within three seconds of the principals sighting one another, and that isn’t really much time to draw and present either spray or a firearm.
Excellent point. My sister's cabin is in bear country (San Isabel national forest in Colorado) and we hike all over the area. My last encounter I smelled the big guy before I saw him. The wind was in my face so I just stopped and waited for it to move on.
The .44 Mag Blackhawk was a comfort.