Bear Spray

We hiking Bear Country all the time and if you were to encounter us you would think we are The Tourettes family. Make a lot of noise, yell every once in awhile especially when you walk into heavy brush. If a bear hears a human voice they will skedaddle out of the area. If I think about it I'll grab the bear spray but most the time not, because like mentioned you need to have it ready to go in a moment's notice. Making plenty of noise is your best defense especially around a stream or in areas of heavy brush.
Almost 100% of all bear maulings occur because an individual walks up on a bear and surprises them.
 
Colby, the Counter Assault bear spray you linked to says for bears
& should perform equally to the others I’ve carried such as UDAP & FRONTIERSMAN. I prefer to purchase here in the US, due to the 2% active ingredients compared to Canada’s 1%, but as Bob says they may confiscate it though in my opinion it is a very slim chance they will deny the 2% when crossing the border. I’ve crossed many times since 2001 with the 2% with no problem & only asked a few times if I had bear spray & then when answering yes, asked only if it it said for bear use on it. I have never even been asked to show it. On two different times when we were carrying several containers of bear spray all the US 2%, the border agents did extensive vehicle searches, followed by never even mentioning the bear spray, they had to have found.

In the Army, when I went through the gas testing, I dropped my helmet in the process of getting the mask on & that automatically brought on having to stay in the chamber longer without the mask. I’ll never forget having to sing the Yellow Rose of Texas, while trying to shake off the effects of the gas, but I did it with little effect other than burning watery eyes & throat. I’ve also been hit with the bear spray & it’s many many times worse than tear gas. I found it almost impossible to breath & I felt like I was on fire all over. It would have been impossible for me to sing.

Bears, like people have different personalities, along with changing attitudes, that can come with having cubs, guarding food sources, territory, bad encounter with other bears, being surprised, sick, hungry or just feeling ill tempered at the time. This can make how one should react in an encounter only good for generalities with the more bear knowledge gained from others & personal experience with them, determining a somewhat better chance of future interactions turning out positive for the person & bear. For sure, worst case is a surprised bear, very close, especially if it’s with a cub or guarding a food source. Bear spray will most likely not stop an enraged bear, but such encounters are very rare, so for most people it’s the best option for bear defense. I’ve used pistol flares, pencil & 12 gauge bangers & shooting slugs close by them with varying good results to being totally ignored. One thing that’s also worked has been being aggressive back at them, but I’ve only done this with shotgun in hand & in a area where they weren’t surprised or close to start. On other encounters where I could, I’ve chose to back off when bears were edging closer, following my using flares or bangers. Bears are to be respected, but not overly feared. In my observation of bears, especially those that are not habituated to humans, their first reaction to an encounter 90% or more of the time is to run immediately or stand up & try to see if you may be a threat & then run away. I see this same effect in their encounter with other bears, when it’s a surprise meeting.

I love observing bears in their territory & have spent considerable time doing it.

Jay
 
In my younger days I did huge amounts of back packing particularly off-trail in wilderness areas far from any help, much less a road. One was on one's own. Some of this backpacking was in very remote areas of Alaska. There was much talk among back packers concerning grizzly bear safety.

Here's what I learned: the science says spray is the most effective for most people; conservatives tended to like to carry high caliber guns instead; liberals tended to like bear spray.
 

I've lived in Moose Pass (about 30 miles from Seward) and Fairbanks Alaska. We fished extensively in the local areas and in the "bush" via Cessna 180 or Super Cubs. On occasion, we would bring the wives and kids along, strollers and all to very remote places where the fishing was excellent. Safety for the family was not taken lightly and we always had at least one dog, a cast iron skillet, a stick of butter, high powered rifle with a sling on your shoulder and 44 magnum holstered hand guns. We were usually on or near a large stream and they are beautiful, but noisy and that's the first challenge with animals. They have difficulty hearing you and vice versa and that's where the dog(s) come in. They will see, smell or hear trouble before you do and alert you as they stand guard or chase away the offenders. Especially with children around they will fight to the death to protect you. I've been there more times times than I would like to remember and every time it was moose, not bears that were threatening. It's as old as time and it's the mamas and their babies. Do everything you can to avoid a misunderstanding with mama. Our biggest fear while fishing a river was to find yourself between mama and her baby. We always fished relatively close together and we took turns carrying the heavy and cumbersome rifle. Our understanding was to shoot only if we felt our lives were in danger. I'm happy to say, we never had to shoot. I can also offer that none of us would fish the remote areas without being armed with a high powered rifle.

Moose and bear attacks are rare.

I'm aware that there are many thoughts when it comes to deadly weapons and I think that's healthy. My hope is that people going to the wild with moose or bears fully educate themselves and their loved ones. Know with certainty the difference between moose spray and a high powered rifle and what it could mean for you.
Larry
 
Here is another video that shows both Bear Spray and Bear Bangers. My wife and I carry both on our hips when in the wilds. I have never needed to use the bear spray, but I have used the bear banger to ward off the sow grizzly and cub that charged us at Atlin Lake. It worked really well in this case and the bangers are louder than most firearms.

We carry the bangers in specific waterproof case that holds the pencil flare launcher along with three red flares and two bangers. You can load one banger or flare into the launcher and carry it safely and ready to use. We carry the whole kits with us when sea kayaking in our PFD's as the kit is very compact and waterproof.

Bear Bangers are a firearm alternative if you do not or cannot (as we Canadian's can't carry sidearms) carry a sidearm. They are probably more effective for most people as I think many people can't shoot as well as Clint Eastwood can, especially when mamma grizzly is coming at you full speed.

The bear bangers and bear spray are available in most good outdoor shops in Canada. I understand that you might need a special permit to buy the banger in the U.S..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VkrYK-tHt4
 
In the US it is far easier to get a Class III weapon fully automatic, machine gun, suppressor, short barrel shotgun, short barrel rifle, "other weapon", and destructive explosive device, than an "Explosive Pest Control Device" (EPCD) License.

The banger's list a sound level of 115 dB. 12 gauge is about 135 dB, and .44 Mag is 167 dB... I have never used or witnessed a "banger". You really don't want to experience either without hearing protection--of course the exception being a life saving discharge.
 
. They are probably more effective for most people as I think many people can't shoot as well as Clint Eastwood can, especially when mamma grizzly is coming at you full speed.
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Sorry did you just make the argument that a blank that sounds like a gun is more effective at scaring off a bear then a gun that , well sounds like a gun???

I just comparing the ability of a gun to scare off a bear to a blank that sounds like a gun scaring off a bear. You seemed ( I know you did not mean to ) a gun is not effective unless you are Clint east wood or at lest shoot like him. :lol:

I watched the video of the bang stick and see that you have to carry it loaded and ready. I could not tell from the video , and would like your opinion, on how safe the safety is? There are some guns that I would not carry because of their safety in some situations.
 
colbysmith":2v88seyz said:
Thinking about buying some bear spray before traveling into bear country. (South end of Inside Passage this summer, and then Alaska portion next summer (2019)). Just wondering what others recommend or have used or purchased. I'm looking at Counter Assault off of Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WAUWQQO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
Click to expand...

They call that Tourist Seasoning.
After all the HaHa's & B/S, your best bet is to pay attention to your surroundings at all times. View bears at a distance, If you have to walk in the woods near a stream with lots of splashing salmon make as much noise as possible. Have fun!! :roll: :wink: :lol: :mrgreen: :beer
 
This has come up before and there is good info if you search.

I use the lead kind of bear spray. It is not affected by wind as much as the liquid kind, and that can be a big deal. I've seen bears run for the hills just from the sound of bear spray and I've seen bears take a whole can with no reaction. A person I knew was mauled and killed last summer when her can of bear spray did not have the desired effect. Another had nothing but dogs and was nearly killed, and horribly mauled.

Lots of people will tell you how they have seen bears without a gun and they were fine, so you will be too. I've seen lots of bears and never done a thing, but I've seen two that I had to shoot. And if I hadn't shot them they would have absolutely eaten me.

Now, you don't work where I do, and don't have to go spend the month of May on a huge salmon stream, dealing with hungry, grumpy bears who haven't eaten in a few months, but it only takes one event to change your life forever.

If you have the proficiency, and adequate firearm is simply the best tool to work or recreate in areas with large bear populations that may not see many people. If you don't have the proficiency, you are as likely to make things worse with a firearm as make things better.

If you are relying on bear spray, don't carry it with absolute confidence. Assume it will fail, and act accordingly: travel in groups, make loud noise, etc. But don't shout the word "bear" at all, unless you see a bear. For whatever reason, people love to yell "bear" to keep bears away, but it just desensitizes everyone you are with to that word, so when you actually encounter a bear and use the word, nobody will get it. USe a different word to make noise (may I suggest "kitty"?), and save the word "bear" for when there is an actual bear.
 
Reading and listening to all the experienced comments and even the not so experienced ones. Thanks for all the well intended and occasional humorous advice. For the political jabs or unconvinced, and I have absolutely no problem with those that choose the “lead spray” (I liked that term!), I question why you believe your own experience would outweigh that of various and numerous studies by those also working in the field? Ie the bear spray vs gun? If it’s simply personal preference and what you’re more comfortable with, that’s one thing. But personally I think disbelieving scientific proven studies is selling oneself short. OTOH those that carry both seem to be using all to their advantage. I digress, in agreeing with giving bears and other man eating animals respect and their space! :wink: Colby
 
Studies say that you have a one in 2.1 million chance of getting mauled by a bear.

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/201 ... grizzlies/

Just like everything else in life it's personal choice how we defend/protect ourselves. Some people would never go into bear country, some would never sail around the world, in a previous discussion it was fool hardy to kayak in rough weather. I personally stay out of cities if I can help it. Everyone plays the odds in one fasion or other.

Now to your question, I'm not ambidextrous and in no way think I could in a hurry pull both the bear spray and my pistol and fire at the same time. I dont want to ask the bear to wait or only attack down wind, nor do I want to find out if he's the one bear not effected by the stuff. The bullet will not be effected by either.

If he's close and charges, the speed of discharging either would likely be the same. Most people are not proficient with their weapons and that's a problem of it's own. If you're not you probably should stay away from using and carrying a gun.

I personally take scientific studies with a grain of salt. Many are skewed, and data can say what the researcher wants to see in it. I'm not saying false, just trying to to put perspective to how hard it is to have a controlled study on a 1 and 2.1 million chance...

I carry and shoot a lot. Does that mean I'm totally protected, no, but this is the way I try and put the odds in my favor.

Pew, pew...

John
Scallywag
 
Let me try this, bears spray will not work one out of 50 times. The one guy is still dead. If the sound of a gun going off in the face will not stop a full charge I dont think spray will either.

With all the underlining factors - wind, sound, type of bear, location, cubs ete etc I do not think you can make a truly scientific study of what works the best. As an example. guy sees bear guy sprays bear bear runs away but unknown to guy the spray never hit the bear because he sprayed to soon and bear was just running away to because guy was screaming like a little girl. So if all we have to go on is a one sided report how do we know its the truth. Bear is back at the cave telling other bear "There I was just eating some berries and this guy jumps out of the bush and starts yelling like the fore mentioned little girl while spraying him self with something in a can. I took off in to the woods and got down wind of him but he smelled like he shit himself so I decided to head home" Other bear is like" thats nothing you should of heard this crazy chick when I tried to move her kayak above the high tide line. Man she was losing it."

I have nothing against people doing what they want but someone asked what we thought was a good idea and what we would do. Funny how most of the Alaskans carry guns.

My self I would carry the spray and a gun. All bases covered. I have never been close to a grizzly but I have been very close to a lot of black bears in the sierras. I have yelled at them and made noise and ran them out of camp many times. No spray or gun needed. But I have never had one charge me yet. Does that mean yelling at a bear will stop a charge?? No it does not.

I will say that the best defense is the tool between your ears. Just like with self defense training, dont put your self in a position that you have to use your training. Eyes open and up, head on a swivel.
 
Studies say that you have a one in 2.1 million chance of getting mauled by a bear.
Click to expand...

One last thing , 2.1 million to one. Is this every one.? the vast majority of people will never SEE a bear. Never go near a bear and never be mauled by a bear because of this. But of the people that do go into bear country more then once in their lives how many will be or have been mauled? And of those how many will be charged by a bear? Because we are not sitting on our couch at home holding bear spray. We are n the woods, with in 50 yard of a aggressive bear. Of that very limited number of people how many get mauled? very few but a lot more then the One in 2.1 million chance.
 
Brewkid":297jo4xi said:
... Studies say that you have a one in 2.1 million chance of getting mauled by a bear. ...
Click to expand...

Much better odds of getting mauled by a bear than winning the lottery (by a couple orders of magnitude). Yet people still by lottery tickets.
 
I spend my summers on Cichagof island which has the highest population of brown bears per square mile than any place on earth....there may be a higher density on some other planet though. I find that my odds of being attacked by a bear are extremely minimal if just follow one simple rule..........STAY ON THE DAMN BOAT, once you get off the boat you become just another member of the food chain :)
 
Most of the studies that show bear spray is better than a firearm are kind of bunk. Not having cited any in particular, I can't comment on the particulars of what has been referenced. But in general, these aren't the most rigorous and are generally funded by interested parties. It's hardly a thing that has real conclusive scientific support. I'm a scientist, I believe in science, but I also understand how it can be manipulated. Bear spray can work, and if you aren't proficient with a firearm it won't likely help you.

But any professional situation in areas of high bear density requires a trained and proficient bear guard with an adequate firearm in most cases. It's not a totally universal requirement, but most places doing business in the AK bush have some pretty stringent insurance requirements for bear guards. They wouldn't do that if the task could be handled better by someone with a spray can full of hot sauce.

And again, the wind. It's often blowing too hard for bear spray to do a darn thing, on the inside passage, usually only in the afternoon on nice warm days!
 
Grandpa had the best general advice for staying safe anywhere:

1. Prepare for and be knowledgeable of your environment
2. Stay alert, be aware
3. Have a plan and a back up plan
4. Use your voice
5. Act

Works for me.

Aye.
 
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