PD20 bear deterrent?

KarlMaldensNose

KarlMaldensNose

Joined
Feb 3, 2009
Messages
1,342
Hi, guys. Just visiting from the knife corner for maybe the second time, so please excuse me if this is an old topic.

I was thinking of picking up a Fenix PD20 for general edc light duties but also for hopefully using the strobe mode as a bear deterrent when I go camping. Black bears to be specific, if that matters. Does anyone have any insights on this? E.g., are strobes actually effective as animal, specifically bear, deterrents? Is the strobe on specifically on the PD20 capable of working in this capacity, i.e. is it "good enough"? I'm asking about the PD20 b/c it's in my price and size range, so if you're gonna suggest another light that would better suit my purpose, please consider the price point. Thanks very much for the help.
 
i would suggest some OC spray or something, i dont know if the strobe is gonna bother them or not, i certainly wouldnt want a fenix lite to be all there was between me and a bear lol.

let us know if it works, if ya can anyway.
 
Depends on what batteries you want to carry. Personally, I prefer AA/AAA.

Fenix LD20 (2xAA) has a 180lumen strobe and is cheaper than the PD20.


I would also keep a good whistle on you at all times, and hell, consider the ankle bells.
 
In the examples I have seen the fenix strobe is the wrong speed to have the proper effect. I'm not a animal expert but from what I have seen light in any form seem to have very little effect on animals.
 
dougo83 said:
I wouldn't trust my life to a flashlight. Hell, I wouldn't trust my life to this: http://www.rei.com/product/722005 but I think it would be a much better help...
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Agreed. If you think you're going into an area with a lot of bears, you need bear spray, not any old pepperspray, and if possible a medium caliber handgun.

Supposedly bear spray is very effective, since bears have such sensitive noses.
 
I don't know about being effective against bears, but I accidently hit the strobe when trying to walk through the house at night. It reflected in a mirror I was looking towards. After about 5 minutes of my head spinning I was able to stand up.....................if the strobe doesn't work, it will probably piss him off pretty bad. I suggest carrying a gun, if you can!
 
enderwiggin said:
Agreed. If you think you're going into an area with a lot of bears, you need bear spray, not any old pepperspray, and if possible a medium caliber handgun.

Supposedly bear spray is very effective, since bears have such sensitive noses.
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I don't know if it works on bears because we killed 'em all of in Central Texas but it works damn good on rabid dogs. I went out on a call while working security one night with our animal control guy and had to use it when a half doberman/half spawn of satan attacked somebody. I had it in the truck because I had just returned from a trip to the PNW and we were told we might see bears. This seemed like a good test run...
 
Just add flashlights to the list in the last sentence.

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I think those flashlight designers have a weird sense of humor. They added that S-O-S function so anyone relying on their <<<<STROBING>>>> flashlight to save them from harm can signal for help while crumpled up, bleeding, on the ground.

;)
 
Guyon said:
Just add flashlights to the list in the last sentence.

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lol,


imho a .30-'06 is the best bear detterent in the lower 48 followed by the .375 H&H in alaska, i have seen grizzly bears in alaska and i wouldnt wanna have to stop one with a pistol of any kind, YMMV though.
 
When carrying a gun is not possible, take some fireworks with you. Those single shot bangers and cherry bombs will scare off almost anything.
 
I rely more on flashes from my .454 Casull when in serious bear country. :)
 
I have seen several brown bear take off when hit with a bright light at night. The first time was salmon fishing on the Goodnews River in Western AK. I heard something rattling around in camp. I carefully opened my tent vestibule and looked out over the barrel of a Mossberg 590 with a Surefire 9V 220 lumen forend light. I illuminated the bear and he took off like a drag racer coming off the line. Both my fishing buddies were looking out of their tents and later asked me "Can you get me one of those lights"?

We carry bear spray as well as firearms. I wouldn't rely on a light without bear spray and/or a firearm backing it up. My experience is limited to a few brown bears so it's not a valid basis for generalizing. However, when those bears were hit with a bright light at night, they departed. I haven't tried this on black bears.

DancesWithKnives
 
Bufford,

In General Schwarzkopf's book he told about being stationed in AK and going on a solo backpack. He took a couple military flash/bang grenades and figured they would prevent the need for shooting a problem bear. I don't believe he ever had the need to test the theory.

A floatplane pilot out of Ft. Simpson, NWT once loaned me one of those single shot "bear bangers" and said he'd had good results. He added: Just make sure you don't shoot over the bear and land the firecracker behind him!

DancesWithKnives
 
DWK2 said:
Bufford,

In General Schwarzkopf's book he told about being stationed in AK and going on a solo backpack. He took a couple military flash/bang grenades and figured they would prevent the need for shooting a problem bear. I don't believe he ever had the need to test the theory.

DancesWithKnives
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I would have loved to have been able to borrow flash bang grenades to take along with me on my backpacking vacations during my active duty days. Of course, I loved the idea of staying out of prison even more.
 
DWK2 said:
Bufford,


A floatplane pilot out of Ft. Simpson, NWT once loaned me one of those single shot "bear bangers" and said he'd had good results. He added: Just make sure you don't shoot over the bear and land the firecracker behind him!

DancesWithKnives
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Very good point, didn't think of that one. There is no good substitute for a gun.
 
There's a reason that surefire developed WeaponLights... that were attached to weapons. There's a reason that SWAT still uses Surefire... UNDER an MP5. I love gear, and fantasize about using my flashlight to be hardcore. I also fantasize about owning a castle in Monaco. When I was in Yellowstone, my counterassault went everywhere with me. I got within 15 feet of grizzies... and they just stared at me, me at them, and we parted ways. When I noticed a bear, both my hands went to something, but the spray was more important. Plus, I read up on Ben Lilly, and had more daydreams...
Zero
 
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