rw wrote:

... You weren't camping out on gravel
bars, pitching your tent and storing and cooking your food virtually
right on top of bear sign, right? ...

That's a very important distinction. I said I don't bother
to carry bear spray in Yellowstone grizzly country but that
is in reference to fishing day trips.

When I had to camp underneath the food supply, (it was in a
tower), in an Absaroka-Beartooth outfitter camp I had both
bear spray and a 12 gauge close to hand. No handguns for me,
if I have to shoot something I want it to be good and shot.

--
Ken Fortenberry