This isn't too uncommon in most bear-lands. I've seen Swedes do the same, as well as Canadians :]
(as in, chasing bears away)
I wouldn't do it myself, cus you need to sortof... believe in what you're doing, and not shit your pants, but it is apparently not too difficult to chase a bear away, since bears prefer the least-hastle-possible, most of the time, and will run away just to avoid all the ruckus.