Denali National Park says 400 yds is as close as you get to bears. Seeing how bears are unpredictible and individualistic, each person has to make up his own mind about what is too close. These bears can run 35 MPH going uphill, downhill and around the hill. It is not recommended that you shoot a bear closer than 75 yards because at a full run, he can be on you and causing you great harm before he falls dead. When I photograph bears, besides my camera equipment, I also have a .375 H&H magnum rifle for self protection. I have seen bears charge for no reason. I have never shot a bear for protection, but I know at least 2 dozen people who have. The last person I personally know that shot a bear for protection spent 6 months in the hospital getting put back together. The bear did that much damage AFTER he was shot with a fatal shot, but before the bear fell dead. The bear fell dead on this person. It was an unprovoked charge from about 35 yards.