Bear Spray - seems completely ineffective (buy, statistics, moving)

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by kamoto

Great post on the gun ballistics. True we don't know the reason for the Livingston mans encounter, but we do know the guide near West Yellowstone came across a grizz eating an elk carcass, and he had an empty can of bear spray in his hand when they found him. Seems like these encounters happen around this time when the grizzlie emerge from their dens ravenous for food. They killed the grizz which attacked and killed the guide. I have a tiny bell I wear on my back pack, but maybe that isn't large enough to make enough of a noise, so I'll look to upgrade that. I remember seeing a show on brown bear attacks in Alaska, where the bear snacked on the remains of someone. Park service finally tracked it down and shot it but they were commenting on how aggressive the bear was. So I don't know about NOT being able to put a bear down if its angry. Stay safe when you head out this spring.

Will this be big enough?







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[VikingsToValhalla]

Most bear attacks are due to humans being oblivious and unaware of their surroundings.

Air horns are often effective at driving away creatures in the wild. Bears, mountain lions, and other wild creatures have superior hearing to humans and will be repelled by the extremely loud noise an air horn makes. But the best defense is simply being vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times.

[jdhpa]

Originally Posted by VikingsToValhalla

But the best defense is simply being vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times.

Of course. But everyone occasionally makes mistakes. Basing plans on the assumption you'll never make a single mistake will lead to bad outcomes. If your life depends on it, it's a good idea to be ready with plan B (and C).

[nowhereman427]

A Baretta Tikka 3 Lite in 30.06 (stainless steel) using 220 grains might prove to be handy and mobile.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by Shuffler

Better chance with spray IF you can get it deployed fast enough as one of those brutes is closing the gap on you.

'Spray and Pray' vs. draw, aim, shoot.

If you don't see or hear it coming soon enough, you're likely done.

Still not a bad idea to carry both; pistol is better suited to dissuade ruffians of the 2-legged variety.

Pepper/bear spray works great on dogs.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by 509

I would go with the bear spray over the 44 magnum.

The US government did think it was a good, BACKUP weapon. Hmm, I will have to think about the concept of a backup weapon in a grizzly encounter,....yeah, not gonna happen....Griz will win that one, before the backup weapon comes out!!

YOUR government at work.....yeah, ditch the 44 magnum.

https://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/gtr152.pdf

Get a REAL gun instead.....and the US government does have some great options.

Is there an updated version of this since 1983 as there has been many changes in loads and calibers now available. Otherwise still Great info

[509]

Originally Posted by nowhereman427

Is there an updated version of this since 1983 as there has been many changes in loads and calibers now available. Otherwise still Great info

That was a very different Forest Service in 1983.



I have not seen or heard of any updates done by researchers on the new loads and calibers.


I just shoot shotguns, no rifles or handguns.


So what is the difference between todays loads and 1983?? Are they outside the range of 1983 loads??


I think people miss the discussion of being able to shoot quickly, and repeatedly as the bear charges you. Remember the study was done for the National Forests of southeast Alaska, which are brushy and have very short sight distances.



I have had ONE black bear attempt to run me over in the southern Sierra's. I told the guy I was working with to go back to camp and get some gear, while I sunned myself in the meadow. Well, he kicked the bear out of the brushfield and the bear headed straight for me!!


He closed 30 yards so fast I barely had time to scream!! The bear barely looked up and changed direction missing me by 10 feet.


Bear spray....in a holster on your belt. And you better know how to arm and fire the bear spray without looking!!

[buzzkirk]

Article about this very subject: https://outsidebozeman.com/nature/bear-spray-vs-guns

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by buzzkirk

Article about this very subject: https://outsidebozeman.com/nature/bear-spray-vs-guns

2009 At least this article is only 12 years old

[buzzkirk]

Not sure why that would make a difference. Has the chemical composition or functionality of pepper spray changed greatly? Has the physiology of bears changed in any way since 2009? Sorry to use so many polysyllabic words if that’s not your thing.