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I grew up in a family who ran pack strings of mules and horses.
We packed most of the time from spring thaw till the first of Dec. We worked in the Rockies most of the year and encountered black bears at least a few times a week. A black bear is a chicken $hitt and will turn and run instantly unless you are in a position of threatening cubs. I only had one incident with a black bear where I had to take defensive action.
Grizzles are very different. If see one you are already on his mountain and he isn't going to like it. The best way to handle a big shag nasty is to get out of his way before he knows you are there. If he decides he is interested it is time to grab the shotgun full of slugs, get off your horse and get ready. Bear spray works if you have nothing else but it only works at close range. My slug gun starts working well at 50 yards. If I know a big bear is coming for me waiting for him to get within bear spray range is totally stupid. Did this study note or separate the data according to what kind of bears that were encountered? If not it is skewed and worthless. Unless you are threatening a black bear sows cubs the only part of that bear you will see is his butt as he runs away. A big Grizzly will get upset that you are on his mountain and be looking to make you dinner. Get a good picture of this, they will kill you and eat you. This does not happen every time but it happens a few times every year. But at least you brought your own pepper.