...if something has decided you are food, then the bitey part of that critter is already in the process of rendering you into bite size pieces....
You can tell who has experience with dangerous wild animals, and who does not in this thread.
^Just my .02, but this is an important consideration (particularly the bolded part above).
Don't present like food, and you're much less likely to have an issue... Are you afraid of the bear? Well, guess what - they can tell...
Brief story to help illustrate the point - about 4-5 years ago, was in the Grand Lake area with the family, staying in a cabin near the edge of town (they do a Memorial Day parade/ceremony every year).
Anyway, some time around 1am (give or take), was outside enjoying a stogie and bourbon a short distance from the cabin (dark as hell that night, with just a bit of ambient light); noticed a massive 'shape' moving between two structures, probably about 50 feet away - couldn't really "see" it, just visible as an even darker area 'in motion'.
Knew immediately it was a bear (and put some other noises I had heard earlier into context), but not for a single instant was there any expression or even awarness of fear. I can very distinctly remember taking a draw from my stogie while thinking "Howdy, Mr. bear...Nice night...Don't start no shit, won't be no shit..."
Didn't see him again, finished my drink/smoke, and all worked out as it should have...
That said, had there been an actual need to put the bear in the dirt - I would have woken up the entire town and there'd have been lots of 'splainin to do, but there would have been no hesitation involved. Fortunately, I don't present as a very cooperative meal, so wasn't an issue...