I live in Wyoming and used to carry a sidearm hiking, but gave it up for bear spray. There's definitely a bias in many people's minds in favor of firearms, but for bear deterrence the spray is the better option. (It is also my preferred crowd control device, if I'm ever in a riot ;-)
Well, bears must be tougher here. One lady here spayed the hell out of the bear and lost her leg anyways. In northern Alberta we make jokes about those carrying spray. The rest of us sane ones like 45-70, 12 gauge, 44, 454, or even 308. Spray is insanity.
Oh, as a side note to the riot side, we had to carry spray on my 1st tour in Bosnia. They sprayed us in Winnipeg so we would know the effect. Over half of my platoon could easily still function. My vision was blurry etc, but mind over matter, and I was still able to mess up that cop. Not much faith in that stuff. If I come across you on a big rock hiding out and fending off a bear, I’ll be happy to help as I do care about my southern neighbours that aren’t libtarded heh.
No, it definitely isn't.
Enjoy Your Bear Spray
Cause a bear will Give It back to You Hard and Deep.
Spray is not as effective as a good firearm.
The effectiveness of spray has been pushed b y anti’s to protect the bears not people.
The studies showing spray to be more effective are ripe with false information and bias.
Firearms work far better in protecting humans then bears.