It's better than nothing, but probably won't do you much good.
1. Your average Joe black bear wants nothing to do with you. Even if he's after your food at night, the minute you get up and start making noise, he's going to be outta there. For any black bear you just happen to bump into on the trail or that wanders into camp looking for a snack, get big, and get loud, and you'll scare it off.
2. A black bear that is stalking you or that you see more than once is demonstrating predatory behavior. It's either really, really hungry or messed up in the head. In this case, you need to LEAVE THE AREA, and if the bear attacks you before you can, fight back with everything you have because the bear is trying to kill and eat you. He has been watching you for a while, weighed the consequences, and made an affirmative decision that it's time to get some food instead of starve another day. A .40 S&W may save your life if you can dump enough rounds into his vitals and wait for him to die. If the gun goes empty or you can't get to it, keep fighting. It's you or him, and unlike the mountain lion, you actually stand a chance. Good luck!
3. You won't know you've been attacked by a mountain lion until you are face down on the ground with a 150 pound kitty on your back, nibbling on your neck and head. By all means, fight back if you can, but it will probably be over before it begins.
1. Your average Joe black bear wants nothing to do with you. Even if he's after your food at night, the minute you get up and start making noise, he's going to be outta there. For any black bear you just happen to bump into on the trail or that wanders into camp looking for a snack, get big, and get loud, and you'll scare it off.
2. A black bear that is stalking you or that you see more than once is demonstrating predatory behavior. It's either really, really hungry or messed up in the head. In this case, you need to LEAVE THE AREA, and if the bear attacks you before you can, fight back with everything you have because the bear is trying to kill and eat you. He has been watching you for a while, weighed the consequences, and made an affirmative decision that it's time to get some food instead of starve another day. A .40 S&W may save your life if you can dump enough rounds into his vitals and wait for him to die. If the gun goes empty or you can't get to it, keep fighting. It's you or him, and unlike the mountain lion, you actually stand a chance. Good luck!
3. You won't know you've been attacked by a mountain lion until you are face down on the ground with a 150 pound kitty on your back, nibbling on your neck and head. By all means, fight back if you can, but it will probably be over before it begins.