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After having lived in Southern Alberta and Southern B.C. for over 20 years, and doing a lot of Hunting and Fishing in the Mountains, I think the concept of a large calibre "Bear Defence" firearm is rather over-rated.
The last time I had to use a rifle to save my own life from a Bear attack, I had only a .22 Rimfire loaded with .22 Short Hollow Point bullets that I was using to shoot Grouse with at the time.
I was hiking with a Family Member when the Bear attacked, and I very calmly took a few extra seconds to make sure of my aim. Believe it or not, that little .22 Rimfire Short saved my life. I shot my Mother-in-Law in the leg, then ran like Hell back down the trail to the truck.
Yes, the above is a "Gotcha" much like the OP's title. Personally, I carried an old Winchester 1200 pump gun with a 12 guage 20 inch barrel, an extended magazine to hold 6 rounds and no safety. It was carried on a sling, upside down on the left side, with no round in the chamber and the hammer down. To use, simply grab the forestock with the left hand and twist the shotgun upright while raising it across your body. With no safety to hang up anything one quick pump loaded a shell. The first two in the magazine were #6 shot to hit the face and the next 4 were slugs. In 20 years, I had two "encounters of the worst kind - up close and personal," so my system worked for me.
A very nice job and a great piece of wood.
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