It’s Springtime and now is the time that bears start waking up and coming out to feed.
Do a quick Google search and you’ll see a lot of results that say that Bear Spray is more effective than guns in defending against bears. That is debatable and may give people a false sense of security just by having bear spray on their person.
I want to give you some thoughts to ponder.
Bears when running are fast, very fast. Steven Rinella and Remi Warren both tell an encounter they had with a Grizzly and how fast it came into the group of them. They did not have time to think and merely react. Janis Putelis had both bear spray and a pistol out and he instead swatted the bear with a trekking pole. Remi did not have the time to dive 6 feet to grab his pistol or bear spray as the bear ran through them.
Steve Rinella Details After Effects of Grizzly Bear Encounter
HOW I NEARLY GOT KILLED BY A BEAR - Remi Warren | London Real
I've been behind bears in my Jeep and a mother bear and her cubs were running quite quickly to get off the road. Another time I came around a corner at about 50 km/hr (30 mph) and a bear happened to be there and he started running away, tripped and still made it into the bush without me overtaking him.
I was hiking on this trail a few years ago. Maybe I wasn't paying attention as much as I should have. I heard something behind me, I turned and before I could focus, two dogs ran past me and then a half second latter a jogger was coming by and saying sorry for his dogs scaring me.
I had no chance to grab the bear spray to do anything. The bear spray was in my pocket, within easy reach and I was not able to react.
Use of bear spray is dependent on wind direction and timing. You cannot spray when the wind is blowing toward you because it will just blow back and cover you incapacitating you.
A bear intent on attacking you may well run through the spray and hit you. See the story abut Todd Orr who got attacked twice by the same bear.
Todd Orr: Man Attacked Twice By A Bear Shares His Life-Saving Tips | Megyn Kelly TODAY
It is very difficult to take the same encounter with a wild bear out in nature in that given time and circumstance to prove that one works over the other.
Wes Siler of Outside Magazine wrote an article in August 2019 asking Does Bear Spray Work? I highly recommend reading the article.
In the article, it is told that no study has ever attempted to compare the effectiveness of bear spray to that of firearms.
In same article, Thomas Smith is quoted saying:
“When a person is competent with firearms—and I mean competent under pressure—it is an effective deterrent I highly recommend,” he says. “Conversely, those with little to no firearm experience shouldn’t rely on a firearm to save them from a close encounter with a bear.”
In an article from October 4, 2016 by Mike Godfrey on KSL.com called “Utah bear expert weighs in after Montana man's grizzly attack goes viral”, Tom Smith had the below two quotes:
“...unless you have a loaded gun in your hands with the safety off and a bullet in the chamber, bear spray is the better deterrent. “
Smith stresses that if a bear charges you and you already have a gun in your hand ready to fire, then he’d, “Use the gun.“.
One thing that a number of people don’t think about is that there is an expiration date on bear spray. The propellant that is used in the spray could seep out over time rendering the spraying action to an ooze.
Don’t throw away that old bear spray when you replace it. Use the old bear spray to practice using it. Once sprayed, the bear spray can then become an attractant so do do use it on common hiking trails or places where people are expected to be.
Ned Rozell wrote the July 27, 1995 Geophyical Institute article “Pepper Spray Works, But Don't Bet Your Life On It”. He quotes Stephen Herrero saying:
“To rely on the spray as protection while ignoring other bear country essentials---such as storing food out of reach of bears or in bear-proof containers and making noise in thick brush--is just plain stupid. "This stuff isn't brains in a can."”
I'm a hunter and I carry both a gun (or rifle) and bear spray. I'm not relying on them to protect me though.
I'm being more aware of my surroundings and paying attention to the sounds, smells, and what I can see.
I do think hikers should carry bear spray, why not, it's an option. I just think the best is to:
make noise so the bear knows you're around
keep earphones off and listen to what is going on
hike in groups when possible
if you see a bear – DO NOT RUN!
Stay calm and talk to the bear
Check your expiration dates on your spray
Let me know your thoughts and consider watching my YouTube video.
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