I can't find a link right now, but I read a study about a year ago that reviewed bear encounter incidents in Montana, Alaska, and Canada and concluded the odds of a happy ending are considerably better with bear spray than with a firearm. Personally, I always carry bear spray (UDAP) in bear country. If I think the risk is high, I also carry my "last resort", a 12 ga. slug gun loaded with copper sabot slugs. To each his own, but I wouldn't bet my life on my handgun skills.

Good fishing,
Arnie