Don't know about bears, but in my years in a law enforcement (correctional institutions) settings have sprayed a bunch of inmates, now this is not the same stuff as bear spray I am sure, BUT I WILL TELL YOU NEED TO WATCH THE WIND, having deployed individual carry cannisters, magnum foggers, and the Israeli riot control unit (both stream and fog units) this is some nasty stuff. They are all based on Oleoresin Capsicum, some of them are a mix of this and CS gas, think SABER RED, go out and get you a can of the stuff that is sold to the civilian market for self-defense (this is not a full-strength product) and let your buddy stand about 10 to 12 feet from you and give you a blast. Then think (once your recovered) do I take a chance on the wind or use a gun. Might be a immediate deterrent but I don't want to bet my life on it. Kind of like the bell on a walking stick thing, what's that pile of bear shit with bells in it that smells like hot sauce. The area I hunt deer in has a few black bears I carry my hunting rifle and a 44-mag revolver, why a revolver you ask figure I am going to be in a combat situation and less chance of a malfunction. Figure if a situation should happen 4 rounds from a 300 win. mag. or 5 rounds from a 30-06 then 6 from the revolver what the hell the bear gets a free meal.