[recycled sixtie]

Not only should bear spray be carried but if you are hiking in bear country wear a bear bell. It sounds annoying but you get used to the ting a ling ling. Bears don't like to be surprised. As an example mountain bikers biking on trails in bear country can easily be attacked by bears as bears don't like surprises. Apparently bears can run 30 mph for short distances.

And black bears can attack humans. Several years ago a woman was attacked by a lone emaciated black bear and killed. On some trails where there is a high bear frequency, Parks Canada has encouraged hikers to to hike in groups of six.