Tough call on this one but here is my opinion:

He should have never given up his rifle and left with a bear instigator.. if he wants to pack a pistol pack a 44 mag minimum with 300+ cast bullets. What people don't realize is that black bear attacks are way more common than Grizzly attacks and take out way more people. I would be packing a GPS(Yes I hate them) but they are a lifesaver in a situation like this. He should have had pepper spray on him I think a couple of shots with that and they would have retreated albeit temporarily. Quarter your Elk without creating a gut pile. Simple to do and highly effective. Buy a bear tag .