You have to walk in groups and not alone and make a lot of noise, talking, singing and clapping your hands. Plantigrades feel human presence and move away.
U.S. experts recommend the spray for bears, but we do not ban it. "Don't let your fear hold you back: being cautious and taking the right precautions can help you stay safe while having fun around the bears," say American rangers on the website of the US National Park Service, the federal office that deals with coordination of the 424 national parks.