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I have had tons of bear encounters but no attacks. I have never had to go beyond your "Step 1". What I always wondered is once you spray a bear and you have used up your spray, you are still out there and the bear is mad. What do you do then? Has a bear ever come back after being sprayed? If you are out of spray, do you cut your trip short and go back?


You should ask a skunk that question <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, the manufacturers of bear spray have taken this into account and include enough product for at least two sustained shots. But most animals, bears included, learn from experience. If the attack results in pain and discomfort, the bear will learn and leave you alone. OTOH, if pain and discomfort are not enough to dissuade the bear, then perhaps the bear is starving, rabid, etc.. In that case, I hope you brought a gun.

Now before I get jumped, I'm not advocating that you carry a gun. We all take chances, based on our personal evaluation of the risks. It's an individual's choice. Some choose to cover all the bases, while others don't. It's your choice. That's what I like about this country - it's still your choice.