I always carry a pistol (DA 454 Casull) now while bowhunting in Grizzly country. Had a close encounter with one (20 yards) back in 92, bowhunting elk just SE of Yellowstone. All I had then was bear spray and all my parter had was a single action 44 Mag. Young and dumb! 
They (the National Park Service) were pushing bear spray as hard as they could back then too. And I bought into their BS! Live and learn. Ok, well for someone who isnt competent with or doesnt like firearms, then fine but, for someone who is/does, bear spray is a piss poor second choice! IMO 
Doesnt matter what the wind direction is or how hard its blowing with a firearms! Bear spray is only useful at close range when the bear is already charging/attacking! At least with a gun you can try to turn them around further away with warning shots before it can escalate to that next level! The first thing you should do when shooting is, drop down to your knees and get on the same plane as the bear! Standing creates steep shooting angles the closer the bear gets. Making it way too easy to shoot in front of or over a charging animal! Get down on their plane to minimize those steep angle misses!
Edited: Maybe Im naive but, after the last couple of years, I cant believe anyone can believe anything the government says about anything!
They (the National Park Service) were pushing bear spray as hard as they could back then too. And I bought into their BS! Live and learn. Ok, well for someone who isnt competent with or doesnt like firearms, then fine but, for someone who is/does, bear spray is a piss poor second choice! IMO Doesnt matter what the wind direction is or how hard its blowing with a firearms! Bear spray is only useful at close range when the bear is already charging/attacking! At least with a gun you can try to turn them around further away with warning shots before it can escalate to that next level! The first thing you should do when shooting is, drop down to your knees and get on the same plane as the bear! Standing creates steep shooting angles the closer the bear gets. Making it way too easy to shoot in front of or over a charging animal! Get down on their plane to minimize those steep angle misses!
Edited: Maybe Im naive but, after the last couple of years, I cant believe anyone can believe anything the government says about anything!