I carry bear spray, 100% of the time, Why would you go that far,? most here would say... Well I will tell you why,. Around here bears have become used to humans, and yes, 20/30 years ago 100% of the bears I have "encountered" ran/hid... The last 10 years or so pretty well ALL the bears I have encountered, , stop, look, and just stay where they were.... 0% have "run away" (right away) ... now most "end up" running away, but I have had a few that stood their ground and a
few that actually charged me....
I can assure you that when a bear charges you, you WILL,... go out and buy a can of bear spray for the next ride...
Oh, and as for dogs, well now, they are the only time I have used my bear spray, (3 times in the last 10 years)...