pepper spraying a bear.

[lrrowe]

No. But I carry a large can with me almost all the time when I am in their territory. And many times a pistol will accompany it. Also keep in mind, in the East, we only have to worry about Black Bears and not those bigger ones you have west of here. But they have seemed to have increased in large numbers or at least have become less afraid to venture into our "backyards".

[Rainier70]

If you do some research, you will find that a gun is NOT better than pepper spray.

I carry the spray, but haven't had any bear encounters. I have had some very close encounters with other problem critters when out fishing and hiking....several moose, dogs, and domestic bulls. I would much rather pepper spray some farmer's $8,000 bull than shoot it. Plus there is no way a handgun bullet is going to stop a moose or bull at 15 ft before it stomps me into the ground. Same goes for bears. Carry the spray.

[tony.latham]

I sprayed an adult black bear that was in an apple tree one night with a can of personal defense pepper spray. He started chuffing, came out of the tree and headed for the hills. I'm very good with a pistol and would not want to go head to toe with a bear at night. It's far from an optimal situation and it would take a fair amount of luck to make an immediate debilitating hit and would border on gross negligence to open up in a campground. I'll stick with my spray. I don't buy that shooting a gun off is far safer since most bear incidents in a camping environment are at night. It's just about impossible to see what is behind you're moving target and how many people practice night firing while holding a flashlight? It's a recipe for disaster. There's been a recent analysis of bear attacks in Alaska and it's clear that bear spray - statistically - works more often than a firearm. Most of my camping is done in the boonies of Idaho and Montana but occasionally in a USFS or NPS campground. I hope I'm never in one where some camper opens up in the middle of the night. Slow: if you shoot a bear in a life/property incident, the fact that it's wearing a radio collar will have no affect on whether or not the shoot was justified.

[wincrasher]

I've been looking into this lately. I think it's wise to get the large can that basically creates a cloud of the stuff. Those pocket sized cans I think you need to be much closer to an angry bear than I'd want to be.

It's a toss-up on whether the hip holster is a good idea. There are plenty of stories about people getting the release caught on something and ending up spraying themselves.

I also don't think it's justified to spray a bear because he is doing property damage or raiding your food/coolers. That's just a hungry bear doing what bears do. The spray is intended to ward off attacks. So you only need to use it if you feel your safety, or that of others nearby, is in jeopardy.

[MtnDon]

I would rather deal with unsnapping my bear spray holster than be digging through a backpack for it. Nothing is perfect.

I hike with either an open carry revolver or a concealed carry pistol, depending on location and circumstances. Mostly that's for 2 legged critter defense.

[tony.latham]

There's an old saying that a (human) fed bear is a dead bear. The healthiest thing you could do to a bear in the middle of a cooler raid is hit him with that orange cloud. If he continues to eat human food he'll be taken for a long drive if there is some place he's not likely to encounter another cooler source - either that or he'll be euthanized.

[MtnDon]

I agree with tony. Anything we can do that might have an effect on altering a bears possible encountering a human is good. Otherwise they become a problem and end up being shot as a final human protective measure. It's not fair to the bear when it is really the humans fault.

I think one reason I prefer 'dispersed' camping as the forest service calls it, is that I don't have to deal with dumb human campers.

[lrrowe]

I agree with Mtn Don. I understand the other comments and have no reason to say they are right or wrong. But for me, while deep into the mountains of VA where the black bear population is increasing ( or at least I believe it is because of my personal experiences and evidence sightings - I have no published statistics to verify this), I will have both options with me. It is also legal for me to carry my pistol concealed while hunting. I hope never to have to test out which is better, and yes, I probably would go for my bear spray first. Both options are also very accessible to me.

I have no interest in harming a bear if I can help it.

[ae6black]

Never thought about pepper spray in the east. I do pack a handgun in the TD for off chance that a situation could arise. I have to admit firing off a handgun inside a TD is about the last thing I'd ever want to do. Should the need arise I think I'd first try asking the varmint if they minded if I exited the TD before I fired at them because the blast would probably be the last thing I'd ever hear. I can't even imagine what damage that muzzle blast would do to your ears.

Art

[kirkman]

I had to spray a black bear that was a human fed bear that had become very bold and decided to join us in the camp ground for dinner. I sprayed him (with bear spray) from about 5 to 10 yards away.
The spray comes out in a big powerful cloud. (so check the wind) I did have time and the incite to check the wind and maneuver up wind first. (Lucky me) That bear looked at me like he was going to kick my but for about 3 seconds after I sprayed him when you could see the look of pain come over his face. He then took off like a shot.

[Danidog]

My property backs up against a NP and is pretty isolated. We have bear in the yard throughout the year (particularly in the late spring/early summer. Our DGIF has always recommended #8 bird shot in the butt. I never liked that idea, too much chance of causing an infection and having the critter die a horrible painful death much later. I'll try the pepper spray, sounds like a good deterrent (sp?) and might change their habits more humanely. Ever watched two cubs playing? Just like little kids. Stinky little kids though..., .

[lrrowe]

Never thought about pepper spray in the east. I do pack a handgun in the TD for off chance that a situation could arise. I have to admit firing off a handgun inside a TD is about the last thing I'd ever want to do. Should the need arise I think I'd first try asking the varmint if they minded if I exited the TD before I fired at them because the blast would probably be the last thing I'd ever hear. I can't even imagine what damage that muzzle blast would do to your ears.

Art

Oh I agree about the sound and your ears. I remember reading a story written by a LEO while chasing a bad guy in a stair well. He writes about how one thought that ran through his mind was something along the line of "damn, if I have to shoot here, there goes my hearing for a week". That is something many people do not think of. The stuff on TV is a farce at times when it comes to gunshots In confined areas.

My approach to all of this is to be prepared. Better to have the tools you might need, the to want the tools you wish you did have with you. This mentality is going to get me in trouble when I start to load my CT for trips on the road. I will be tempted to take everything other then the kitchen sink.

[martymcfly]

Last summer, my wife and I rode our motorcycles up to Glacier and into Canada. We wanted to do some hiking, but I couldn't take my pistol because they don't let you take guns into Canada. I was surprised that a can of bear spray was upward of fifty bucks. Didn't get a chance to use it though.

[Ron Dickey]

I have not come that close to a bear but I have been told by others who camp where bears are that load noises make them run for the hills. clanking of pots and pans, trash can tops, I would bring my triangle lunch bell which is loud and harsh. If brought a gun I would shoot it up in the air. I am not a good shot and would miss its eye or mouth. Bears have been hit by cars and walked off into the woods while the cars had to be towed away. They can out run you and out climb you. They say it is best to stand your ground and look as big as you can. Their pray is something that runs away.

quote from one site: http://www.centerforwildlifeinformation ... nters.html
If contact is made, or about to be made, drop to the ground and play dead. Lay on your stomach, clasp your hands behind your neck, and use your elbows and toes to avoid being rolled over. If the bear does roll you over, keep rolling until you land back on your stomach. Remain still and try not to struggle or scream. A defensive bear will stop attacking once it feels the threat has been removed. Do not move until you are absolutely sure the bear has left the area.

http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/wildl ... unters.pdf

another site said
First, avoid bear contact by walking loudly, singing, talking, using bells on your pack. If you encounter a bear, the best thing to do is to slowly back away from the animal while making soft, non-threatening noises- "Nice bear, good bear." Do not make eye contact with the animal, do not turn and run. If a bear charges you, you have little choice but to protect yourself by dropping into a curled fetal position. Put your arms over your head and roll up as tight as possible. Bears will often bluff-charge and stop before actually making contact with you, but if they are set on attack, this totally submissive posture often deflects the attack. A bear almost never wants to eat you, and usually doesn't want to kill you. He is most interested in neutralizing the threat he perceives in you by making sure you are down, immobile, and harmless. Most people who are attacked by bears (even grizzlies) survive.

this one talks about pepper spray # 8 but read it all. http://www.wikihow.com/Survive-a-Bear-Attack
Ron

[MtnDon]

[quote="Ron Dickey" If brought a gun I would shoot it up in the air.
[/quote]


Bullets that go up also come down someplace. Better is to discharge into the ground, as long as the ground is not mostly large rock as we don't want ricochets either. A very large tree, depending on caliber would also work.

Here in NM every New Years in particular people 'celebrate' by firing guns into the air. It's illegal as well as potentially cangerous. But alcohol soaked celebrants can't seem to fathom the danger. No one here has been killed becuase of it (that I know of) but there have been a few roof penetrations reported over the 30 years I've been here.