Wear bells and carry a whistle. A loud one. Most of the time when I've come up on a bear (3 times, did make me nervous) the bear said "Oh" and went South and I said (@#%^#) and rapidly went North. Most of the time wild animals are simply trying to live a harsh life.
I've always said I'd rather lose a kid in the mountains than after dark in San Francisco or New York City or LA!! I really think it would be safer.