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RE: Bear Pepper Spray

Started by griffsmom, Mar 30, 2003, 04:41 PM

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notrailends

 I was thinking of getting  a can of bear pepper spray
 does anyone carry anything? I priced it out for about 33$ and it came with a
 case to carry it. Thanks for the feed back

griffsmom

 notrailendsWhat were you planning on using it for?  I ve heard some here at PUT say that it s not effective at keeping away bears because the bear has to be practically upon you for it to work and you have to be accurate in your spraying (not easy to do with a bear charging you), and by that point, it s too late.[&:]

CampinCrazy

 notrailendsI figure if I m ever close enough to a bear to use a pepper spray, I ve already pushed my luck wayyyyy too far!  At that distance prayer would work much better.

Tim5055

 notrailendsActually, for camping and hiking in true bear areas bear spray is a very good idea.  Don t confuse the small cans people cary for muggers with bear spray.
 
 The bear spray is truly formulated for use on bears and will generally spray a very long way - over 25 feet usually.
 
 Included in the [link=http://www.nps.gov/yell/press/0324.htm]Yellowstone National Park News Release " SPRING BEAR EMERGENCE REMINDER" [/link] is a small section on bear spray:
 
 
 
QuoteBear pepper spray is a good last line of defense that has been effective in most of the reported cases where it has been used.
 
 Bear pepper spray is effective only at short distances (10-30 feet), and is adversely affected by wind, cold temperatures, and the age of the product. Take time to become familiar with your bear pepper spray, the safety trigger, and holster. Carefully read the instructions and be aware of its limitations. If you decide to carry bear pepper spray, it must be immediately available, not in your pack. Remember that carrying bear pepper spray is not a substitute for vigilance and good safety precautions.
 
 Some news stories have suggested that bear pepper spray is a bear attractant. These stories have arisen from the misuse of the product -- applying it to people, tents, packs, or other equipment. Bear pepper spray is not designed to be applied as a repellent, but is designed to spray at a charging or attacking bear. Bear pepper spray has been a highly effective deterrent when used in this manner.

 I say if you are going to be in bear country, pick it up.

notrailends

 notrailendsI was also thinking if I was in the camper with my family
 and a bear smelled food or if we are sitting
 at night around the camp fire it may be a good idea to have
 I was just curious who has it
 

ShirleyT

 CampinCrazy
QuoteI figure if I m ever close enough to a bear to use a pepper spray, I ve already pushed my luck wayyyyy too far! At that distance prayer would work much better.
 
 
 _____________________________
 
 Kelly, Rikk (DH)
 2 mini-campers (3&6)
  00 Starcraft Galaxy

 CAN I GET AN AMEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS!!! [:D]

Trlrboy

 notrailendsThere s another school of thought that think bear pepper spray is actually a bear aphrodisiac.  You really have to be careful with that stuff.

topcat7736

 notrailendsClick [link=http://www.bebearaware.org/storagenfnfb.htm]HERE[/link] for bear facts.
 --------------
 In New Jersey, it is illegal to carry bear spray. At a state park seminar on black bears, we were told that many black bears like the taste of the spray and will come after you to get more of it.
 
 Also, people felt that as they were " packing a weapon" , they could become more bolder around them....(what could be a fatal mistake).
 
 And, dogs not given " bear training"  should always be kept on a leash. A loose dog, encountering a bear, will become startled and begin barking. The bear will see an easy meal & give chase. The untrained dog will retreat by running....right back to you with the bear following at 35 mph.
 
 ---------------------------
 
 Before purchasing any " bear sprays" , check to see that it is registered, (for the bear type you would encounter), the range and active ingredient amount. Not all are the same & most would be ineffective against a charging bear. They also only contain enough for a 7 second spray, so buy a few cans & PRACTICE using it before you actually need it.
 
 If you absolutely want to get a can, look closely at this site. [link=http://www.counterassault.com/Bear_Deterrent/bear_deterrent.html]COUNTERASSAULT[/link]

tlhdoc

 notrailends
 
QuoteORIGINAL:  notrailends
 
 I was also thinking if I was in the camper with my family
 and a bear smelled food or if we are sitting
 at night around the camp fire it may be a good idea to have
 I was just curious who has it
 
 

 If the wind is blowing toward your family, or anyone else around you, when you spray the bear, they will be gassed along with the bear.  Pepper spray is not a toy and you have to be very careful when using it.  I would hate to see the people camping with me sprayed with pepper spray.  I have been sprayed with it and it is not a pleasant thing recover from.

dee106

 notrailendswe camp a lot in NJ and thats true, what we have is canned air horn, it s really loud, and if it doesn t discourage  the bear it will warn our neighbors!

griffsmom

 tim5055
QuoteORIGINAL:  tim5055
 
 
 
 
QuoteSome news stories have suggested that bear pepper spray is a bear attractant. These stories have arisen from the misuse of the product -- applying it to people, tents, packs, or other equipment. Bear pepper spray is not designed to be applied as a repellent, but is designed to spray at a charging or attacking bear. .

 LOL![:D][:D] I read that and got a visual of people rubbng their bear repellent onto their arms and legs, along with their deet and skin-so-soft to keep away the bears and mosquitos!
 
 And these people vote...[:o]
 

Turn Key

 notrailendsFYI: Pepper spray does not always work on people and as others have said, you have to be close and accuarate.  Not something I d count on with a few hundred pounds of mad bear pounding in my direction[>:][:@]

Opie431

 notrailendsWe spend a lot of time hiking in bear country and we always carry the spray. We have never used it.  We have seen lots of bears and one even followed my husband out of the woods. I reached the car and someone said to my husband  " What is that behind you?"  or we would not even known it was there. Luckily it was in the parking lot where he smelled the trash cans and left the path for better pickings. The other people decided to hike somewhere else.

jawilson

 griffsmom
QuoteORIGINAL:  griffsmom
 And these people vote...[:o]
Yea, in Florida! [:D][:D]