357 has more one shot stops than any other handgun caliber.
https://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_power_chart.htmAlaskan Inuit in WW2 were issued tools to prevent a Japanese invasion and would regularly use a 22lr gun (forgot model) to kill bear.
Although, there was another study done on recorded bear attacks in the last century or two, and statistically bear spray is more likely to prevent the bear from getting aggro with you. There has been cases where the spray failed or the bear returned later, so both are worthwhile.
Your biggest concerns should be poison and disease, ie ticks and snakes. 5 years ago, I had a neighbor camping in Oregon and had a rattler come in to sleep in his camp. When he was bit far away from any doctor, he ended up losing his leg and being wheelchair bound. Died of a heart attack a year or two later in his late 40s. I'd wave at him looking out from his garage workshop. His out career ended quick.
I've been a fire lookout and met some strange people. Most of it is mind over matter. Looking confident is a good deterrent. Having a dog and having them haul their own food, carrying. Most people are looking for easy opportunities, and it's the same for the mammals that you should be less concerned about than the two legged ones.
Look up that only person that died to coyotes was an 18 year old girl musician, who probably didn't know a thing about not feeding the animals or trying to pet them like a zoo. Cougar attacks are extremely rare, and both have been in pacific Northwest in past decade. One victim being nonbinary. Someone who lacks confidence in themselves and challenging that 40% instinct.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_cougar_attacks_in_North_AmericaBees are far more likely to kill you, just look at the statistics and don't be the retard that feeds the bear.
