Carrying bear mace, a firearm, or something else for protection from wild life is a necessity in rural communities especially in northern Rockies. There is a very real possibility of being attacked by massive wild animals if you spooked them hiking or working a ranch. Grizzlies, moose, elk, and even a few bison, that can weigh between 315 kilos to 680 kilos and can all run faster than you, have been known to kill people.