I like to watch Alaska State Troopers. They always carry a bear gun when they go tramping into the woods.
You need to be ready. That is the whole thing. Options in crisis.
She was taken from behind as the story goes... So not a whole lot of options in that... But even one point-blank round from a 45/70, no matter where on that bear, is gonna tend to level the playing field... If not, well then that's what the hog-leg is for.