We have a lot of bear in Idaho. We also hunt black bears so they sre pretty bashful and keep their distance. Grizzlys, on the other hand, can get very testy when you stumble on to one. I've come nose to nose with both and was fortunate they wanted less to do with me than me with them. Bear spray will reach about 30 feet with no wind. A bear can close that distance in about 1/2 a second. I'm other words, if it's a real charge, even with the spray, his momentum will run you over. On a windy day, the spray is about worthless. The best tactic with bears is good bear ettiquite. Protect all odorous stuff, especially food, by hanging. Be aware, make noise while hiking, FORGET THE CAMERA, carry out ALL garbage. ( dumping that left over oatmeal behind the bush will get the next group to use that site killed. The bear finds that oatmeal, then comes back for more when others are there and the fight is on) A BIG gun is a last resort but that too is iffy as fast as a bear can vharge.