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Rural NorCalfag here: I've only run into black bear a few times, and every time they knew I was there all they wanted was to get away. They make more noise than anything except a drunk person.
When I was a teenager my dad ran a sporting goods store and one of our steady customers was a guy who handled problem bears for the Park Service. I never used anything besides an air horn and a 12 gauge loaded with rubber slugs. Make unholy noise until they flee, then thump them in the ass with a slug. Apparently the idea that you can be over HERE and he is over THERE and you can TOUCH him really blows a bear's mind.
Some of what I recall of his wisdom: 90% of all bear attacks in Cali are on women who are either menstruating or wearing perfume, so don't smell like food and you ought to be OK. Also, their tears ducts are in their throat. When they start slobbering, they aren't being vicious or rabid or whatever. They're scared. They're crying. WAAAHHH PLEASE DON'T KILL ME I JUST WANTED THE TWINKIES!
Bear spray is bullshit. The best bear medicine is .45 GI hardball. Shoot them in the head if you have to. Otherwise, give them a chance to back off and they almost always will.
Oh yes, and let me add to the chorus: Fuck griz. I'm glad they're extinct here and from what I hear from friends in Montana I'll be happy if I never see one in my entire life.
