Nobody ever going to convince me pepper spray would be more effective than a gun fending off a charging Griz. I'd take my chances with the hardware. Eastern black bears are the most docile creatures in the woods around here. Amazing considering their strength and speed. Scared silly of humans. I've had several encountersover the last 20 years. Had one try to climb my tree, ran across one over a deer gut pile, had one shadow me (trying to figure out what I was I recon), came across a mother and cubs, and in every instance, yelling made each and every one bolt for cover. Lost count how many time I've smelled them. I carry a gun for coyotes. Their "yipping" at dark thirty makes me uneasy. Especially dragging a deer.