BOD
I live in Canada and have travelled a bit in bear and cougar country. In camp I have an axe, while walking I carry a sheath knife most blade lengths are appox 4 inches, I also have a 5 1/2 inch blade that I sometimes carry. But most important I have bear spray on my belt, flares and a horn in my pockets or day pack. Lastly, I never go for a walk without a hicking stick that has a tunsten steel tip. If you meet a cougar or black bear face it, talk to it and make yourself look biger, keep you stick or kniife at your chest pointing at the threat and try to retreat always facing the cat or bear. If they attack fight with all you have. If you meet a Grizzly or Polar bear you are out of luck if he wants you he will get you. They say just lie down, curl up in a ball and cover you head and neck!! Thankfully I have never met one that close in the wild. Hope this helps, in Canada the chances of an encounter are slim and common sense has kept me out of trouble.
Regards
Ardri