Oh man this bear spray vs gun debate gets old.
It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Carry both.
Bear spray does not work in a lot of situations. Guns can jam or misfire (had that play out twice at close range) and you cant really point a rifle when you're getting mauled. If your hunting partner is getting mauled (maybe it's your wife) and they are both flailing around like a tornado, are you going to pull a trigger with your sight picture changing 5x per second? No shortage of hunters / guides shooting their partner while their partner is getting mauled... let alone all those bullet and bone fragments that explode all over the place like a shotty blowing in all directions should you hit a bone at close range... seen it and done it
Bear spray only? No shortage of stories of guys emptying multiple cans of bear spray on a predator bear in an hour long ordeal over a few kilometers... gun would have been better... could have plugged it at 50 yards, 10-30 yards, etc 10x over that hour long assault and testing of wits.
Maybe you're grouse hunting and walking around with bird shot in the mag and the pipe. how many rounds back is your bear safety round? how many times do you figure you can cycle that pump at a close / surprise attack? Or do you carry two guns? Why not have bear spray on your belt? There's really no reason not to.
Carry both, use your brain. It's not a religious war LOL. Who the heck would insist on only having one tool in the toolbox when they have two?
NO MAN. PHILLIPS ONLY ! ... Flat heads where it's at! It works for most stuff.. and I refuse to carry that extra 8oz on my belt! I'm an alpine hunter baby... I cut my tooth brush and matches all in half and shaved my legs to reduce weight.
Good grief
*mic drop*