44 Mag???? Might as well be a BB gun. Guides in Alaska carry 375 H&H as backup for their clients who carry something less. I hunt moose with 338 Win Magnum, about the smallest firearm one would want to carry with a bear charging. You can carry less but bears have a habit of thrashing the shooter pretty good (like in dead) before the bear falls.
In Alaska maybe, but against black bear in lower 48 more than adequate. .357 with right load works against black bear. I personally have carried .357 S&W model 28 with hot hunting loads for bear. Now I carry . Virginian Dragoon in .44mag.
In Alaska I agree, 45/70 guide gun or minimum .44mag. for sidearm.