As a last thought, a good 12ga with 00 then slugs is carried by more than one guide.[/QUOTE]
12 ga is a good idea but I was told 00 slug and bird shot alternating is the best idea. The odds are if your hiking and you run across a bear you will not be able to shoot straight anyway.
The way you can tell the difference between black bear shit and brown bear shit is because brown bear shit has bells in it.
The old saying is "if a bear is black you better fight back, If a bear is brown just lie down"
