When work calls me out to the woods of Alaska I carry a big can of bear spray and a 12-gauge with some “fancy” slugs (Bernakke?). They say the spray is a good option to get off a quick shot in the brush with less accuracy involved. And hopefully it gives you enough time to be ready with the shotgun.
A local will be with me and is armed. Although the last guy was a little too easy-going regarding the bears. Bragging about hunting them, how they really aren’t dangerous if you know what you are doing, etc.
That can’t be true, everyone here says bear spray doesn’t work.