Best defense: use bear bells from Wally World sporting good department--large sleigh bells and they work just fine. Put 1-2 bells on your boots or backpack or the collar of your dog. Works for me. Works well for cats too. I've shot black bears with 30 30 170 gr soft point and it took three rounds at close range to stop him. I don't think much of the 357 for that purpose, but best advise is to "avoid' them with all the important precautions. Bear spray works wonders.