If you are hunting bears then a long gun is your best bet. But if you are just carrying something for personal protection with bears being one of a number of potential threats, you probably are going to want a handgun. Remember that in close quarters a rifle or shotgun is not necessarily the optimal choice. This is especially true if you are taken by surprise.
If I were hiking/camping in the wild, especially in bear/big cat country, I’d probably opt for a good revolver chambered in .357 magnum. It may not be a hunting rifle or 12 gauge shotgun, but there is a hell of a lot of knockdown power in a judiciously loaded .357 (+ no safety). And they are a lot more convenient for carrying.
We have encountered black bears twice while hunting in northern Wisco. Everyone in my “northern” family has had run-in’s with them while fishing and hunting.
I carry both when up north.
1903A3 with upgrades
and
either a Ruger SBH 6” or Taurus Raging Bull.
Chest rig with some “homemade” rounds.
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Even during bow season, I’ve got a hand howitzer on my hip.