Hungry bears

[Harrison]

I read a newspaper article that the grizzlies at Yellowstone were hungry this year because of a shortage of some kind of pine cone or nut. They were getting ready to hibernate and were coming down out of the mountains hungry. The rangers expected the bears might look upon people as a food source and were warning hikers and campers to be sure to carry their bear spray.

We don't have many bear in this part of Texas, so What is Bear Spray? How effective is bear spray with a hungry angry grizzlie that thinks you might be a good meal? I would think you might have to get up real close and personal to a bear for the spray to work. To my way of thinking a medium caliber rifle, or at least a heavy caliber pistol would be more effective. But, the article also stated that some federal judge had just put grizzlies back on the endangered specis list, so I guess you cannot shoot them.

I know some of the forum members must have some knowledge regarding hungry bears.

 

[jeepjeepwhat]

I've seen the stuff, but I've never used it. It is pretty much like pepper spray. I'm not even sure if it is the same concentration or not. It usually comes in a big can, like the one "Dog the bounty hunter" straps to his leg. Lets face it, a small can of bear spray wouldn't be very handly at all. I've also heard that the pepper cloud could be effective up to 35 yards. I'm assuming that is down-wind only. Like I said, I've heard of it, I've seen it, but I would never buy the stuff.

I live in an area where there are plenty of black bears, I acutally just saw a 300-400 pounder last weekend on a fishing trip. Most of the people in this area know how to handle bear encounters and realize that pepper sprays are just going to agitate the bear.

I've also been taught and practised on two occasions that making yourself known with some twig snapping or leaf russeling is the best bet (not alarming or sudden sounds). Both times I've employed this, the bear looked up, saw me and ran like the dickens!

IMO there are two kind of bear encounters.
1. unagitated
2. agitated

An unagitated encounter will result in a bear running away very fast and leaving you with a new understanding of how big, fast, and powerful they truely are.

An agitated encounter is going to end up as a bad day, and pepper spray isn't going to help.

 

[Thuer]

No Comment

 

[kennyb]

it's in a huge can and sprays a good distance...i haven't used it but it's supposed to be good stuff...those that study bear in the wild carry it

 

[Texas Star]

Don't use it if you have asthma. If you get a dose of it, it may kill you.

How well it works on bears seems to be very controversial.

T-Star