Good Morning, FEENIX,
For some reason, probably a security setting on my MacBook, I can't access your link.
I have read this article a while ago:
https://www.outsideonline.com/1899301/shoot-or-spray-best-way-stop-charging-bear
From a perspective of valid, scientific research, it would be impossible to test a hypothesis of bear spray efficacy on charging, wild bears. It would risk lives of researchers. Hence, bear spray efficacy was inferential. The problem with declaring bear spray efficacy when it has been used on charging bears and they've ceased their charges is eliminating all confounding factors leaving only bear spray as causal. That might be a deadly assumption.
Lots of what is purported to be wildlife science is nothing more than SWAGS. How could scientists configure control and experimental groups? They can't.
Hikers used to be told to play dead when attacked by black bears. Some 20 years ago, National Geographic said that was an invalid tactic. National Geographic said that when a black bear attacks, it intends to kill. A griz might charge to bluff. National Geographic said that a male black bear in heat is the most dangerous land mammal in North America. National Geographic advised to fight back any way one can if one is attacked by a black bear.
I was told by fishermen that to this day, Alaskan guides carry 12 gauge shotguns to protect their fishermen from bear attacks. While they might carry bear spray (assuredly legally mandated), guides rely on 12 gauge slugs.
We fish in the Eastern Sierra where there are more black bears than people. We've seen huge black bears in the Eastern Sierra, some easily breaking the 450 pound mark. That's because they have endless supplies of food.
Our primary bear strategy is avoidance. If avoidance assures surviving a gunfight, it's gotta be a viable tactic for bear country survival. If a bear meanders into our fishing spot, my kids get behind me and we back out leaving the bear to fish. If a bear is in a sport we want to fish, he gets it, and we'll go to another.
I've taught my kids, even my adult son, that they are to get behind me and we'll back out.
I have never carried bear spray. As far as I know, it's still not required where we fish.
Eastern Sierra black bears are used to humans. Some are aggressive. The sheriff or fish & game will kill aggressive bears.
Closing in on 20 years ago, a game warden friend who's now in Heaven told me to carry my old duty gun while fishing in the Eastern Sierra. I asked him if there were criminals roaming the wilds of the Eastern Sierra. He said there were, but he had intended black bear defense. At that time my son was about 8 years old. He told me that if a black bear killed me while I tried to protect my son, my son would become easy prey for it. He told me that a .357 Mag revolver works well on black bear.
My dominant fear when fishing with my kids in black bear country is that bears raid fish cleaning stations. They are used to associating the smell of fish with food. Were my kids and I to suddenly cross paths with a bear and it smells trout all over us, will it charge us thinking we're on its dining menu? Not knowing the answer means I must be prepared to protect my kids. I do not want to kill a bear. However, I have a much more dominant desire to protect my kids.
Even though I'm on the fence with bear spray, I'd carry it, especially if it were required. But I'd still carry a suitable handgun. Pepper spray works beyond excellent on humans. However, humans under the influence of drugs, especially PCP, will probably not respond to pepper spray. Further, 10% of human beings are immune from pepper spray. Pepper spray can never be used where wind is blowing in a cop's face. It will leave him defenseless and at the mercy of a bad guy he wants to arrest.
A few years ago, we saw a huge black bear in the parking lot of June Lake Marina. We were waiting for sunrise. My then 10 year old daughter was asleep next to me. The public bathroom was across the parking lot. If she had awakened and asked to use the bathroom, I'd of said, "Sure. I'll keep and eye on you," not knowing there was a huge bear some 30 yards from her. From that frightening thought on, I have carried a handgun when fishing in bear country with my kids; however, avoidance is our primary strategy.
Were a black bear to charge my kids and me, I'd instinctively draw my gun. I've had muscle memory drilled into my brain for twenty years. It can't be purged. Moreover, since I'd only shoot a charging bear that has made its intentions clear to me, I won't have time to deploy bear spray. I'm hoping I'd have time to draw my handgun.
There are lots of opinions on best bear defense handguns. Some handgun cartridges are more powerful than some rifle cartridges. However, very few shooters can fire accurate .44 Mag follow-up rounds. I used to won a Model 629. My intent was to get good enough to hunt deer with it. The reality was I had to shoot it at least once once a month to get good enough to hunt with it. From experience, there was no way I was able to fire rapid follow-up shots with a 6" .44 Mag. So I gave up that idea and sold it.
The .357 Mag is the most powerful revolver than I can shoot with accurate follow up shots. I'd rather hit a charging black bear with 6 180 grain .357 Mag rounds than with 1 .44 Mag round and five others which would be fired in prayer of hitting a charging bear.
I've hunted in griz country, although I've never seen one. I never carry a handgun while hunting with a rifle. A hunting friend of mine told me that should a griz continue to charge after taking 4 7MM Rem Mag rounds, I'd be better off reloading my rifle than reaching for a handgun. He has killed a griz in Alaska with 2 rounds of a .300 Wby Mag. He said that the reality is a 7MM Rem Mag will stop a griz if my rounds hit it in a vulnerable area. Griz always attack on their hind legs leaving a good shot at its head and neck area. But I'd much rather avoid.
To my way of looking at handguns, the Model 1911A1 is the most comfortable handgun to carry. 9 230 grain +P rounds with 8 more ready to go within a couple of seconds is hard to beat. Even better, they can be fired extremely rapidly and with accuracy. I've read that Colt has reintroduced its Delta Elite. 9 200 grain 10MM rounds would be pretty darn formidable. But I'm not such that the 10MM would be better than a .45 ACP with 9 230 grain +P rounds. Like all things guns, it boils down to preference. What's right for one might be all wrong for another. Moreover, there is a small percent of hand gunners who can rapidly fire large caliber revolvers.
Take care mi amigo
