Its a complicated subject these days that won't get solved here but its good that people get their viewpoints out there.
Its hard to be clear in emails and easy to be misunderstood,,,and then takes a while to unravel.
I live in BC,,in bear country ,,and have worked and lived in or next to the bush for 40+ yrs. I have had allot of bear encounters of all sorts,,,up close and personal. I live in an area where hunters come to hunt Elk,,deer,,etc. When i go for hikes which is right out my door i run into bears on the mnt and i know the cougars are watching me as well. I'm not so sure that we as a specie have learned much of anything when it comes to our own and others sustainability on this planet. For every thoughtful act of conservation there seems to be another 99 acts of out right devastation of one thing or another whether it be trees, animals what have you. I'm still outraged at the amount of garbage hunters leave when they come out to so called "feed their families",,,i know cause i clean it up.
If we as human beings don't completely change our ways,,(rampant consumerism, time obsolescence in everything, overeating of crap, and just outright selfishness ,) there will not be anything left
We need to become allot more appreciative of nature and how we are a part of it, not separate from it.
Ok time ,,end of rant,,time for tea.
PS- most handguns will not stop a grizzly in time , if at all ,,regardless of what you think or how comfortable you are with guns. Bear spray works very well for Grizzlies,,,or a rifle if you have to.
Bill