a bears nose is 3000 times more sensitive than a bloodhounds...which is 300 times more sensitive than our own. A deer will continue running for 2 minutes after you put a big ole hole in its vitals. If a deer can do it, I bet a bear does it better!! I bear hit in the nose with a gallon of pepper is going down. Regardless of what you might think. Carry em both, let the gun be option A, when it gets up close...the spray is your best bet.