I think it was Bill Bryson who wrote about recommendations for bear country.
Hikers are advised park wear bells on their clothes so they make noise when walking. The bears hear them coming from a distance and so are not startled. A startled bear might charge. Hikers should also carry pepper spray just in case a bear is encountered. Spraying the pepper into the air will irritate the bear's sensitive nose and it will run away.
Hiker should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear poo. Black bear droppings are smaller and often contain berries, leaves, and possibly bits of fur. Grizzly bear droppings tend to contain small bells and smell of pepper spray.