Interesting Article about Bear Spray

Thanks for sharing, well known though! Still, many folks around that believe a powerfull firearm is the best protection for a charging grizzly, which is true only if you hit the brain with the right caliber. Even then, there are reports from ricochet of even very adequate calibers off the grizzly's skull! Bear spray is the way to go! Saves both lives!
 
Good information about the percentage of success with bear spray; some of those other ideas were a bit weird. Thanks for sharing the information, I hope I never need to use bear spray.
 
Ok, hopefully some of you have experimented with it. I know a bit about commercial O/C for the self-defense market. There is spray (cone) and stream (jet) delivery, and for the most part, you want to avoid spray anywhere outside for obvious reasons. For anything compact enough to conceal on the person, about 10-12ft is the maximum range. Now, I understand that the bear products are larger, not having to conceal them. However, how much extra range can they reasonably generate?

A half-ton beastie in a forward trot is not going stop on a dime, as it defies the law's of inertia. Even at 30ft, TEN YARDS, that's but a sub-second for Mr. Grizz to be upon you. Assuming he/she gets a stout snootfull, what is their reaction? Anger, and charge? Fear and retreat? Frustration, and standing its ground?
 
personally I think the statistics have it. There are enough stories about successful spray deployment to consider it worth while. Plus bears are smart. I would not be surprised if an individual bear learns to avoid people after being sprayed. I know they get used to flares after a while, so something that teaches is a good idea in my mind.
Loved the idea of the laser, would that work against cougers as well? or do you have to keep shining it on things to keep it distracted?:D
 
OK, A: I am not an expert at anything and B: my experience is with black bears.. But I have a problem with people saying spray is the only and best way to go..
Notice it is always either government or spray manufacturers studies and sources that claim its foolproof and far safer.
I know of two different times where campers had to keep respraying a bear because he/she kept returning and re-approaching. Both times(one was my daughter and son-in-law) the campers were smart enough to be packing and leaving before they used up their can..I have read of other similiar experiences to this..
I also have spoken to a man who took a mandatory bear safety course for a job and the instructor had to try 4 new cans before she could get one to work properly for her demonstration..
If you or anyone in your group has asthma you should be aware that no-one seems to be able to give a good answer on what an accidental wiff of pepperspray will do to an asthmatic.
Pepper spray makes an fine tool in your kit but it shouldn't be your one and only tool.
 
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