Black Bear Protection?
A little research will show that protecting yourself against a black bear is a little bit like protecting yourself from a porcupine. Yes, attacks do happen, but are so rare that it defies logic to arm yourself in anticipation of one. Still, if one feels safer in black bear country, (where I live), armed against an attack that will likely never occur, then pepper spray has been shown to be more effective at ending a bear attack than a firearm.
I have had not just a few, but many encounters with black bears over the past 20-years. Some were as close at 6-feet. One indeed was with a mother and cubs, which was the only one that put a bit of a scare into me, (she charged), but stopped about 20-feet away after I stepped back and away to the right. She looked back over her shoulder at her cubs and bolted with them into the woods. My heart was beating so hard I could hear and feel it, but at least I didn't slaughter a bear without cause. I have found that the most effective weapon against black bear attacks is respect and a little yelling....It also helps to know your territory and take care in how you present yourself in the woods.
If you feel you must protect yourself against bears, start with research and pepper spray. If a gun combination is all you can stand for, then a 44 lever and a 44 revolver should suit your purposes....
) . Something to keep around when tinkering in the woods.
