Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Page 2 of 2 < 1 2
Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#109403 - 01/15/09 02:12 PM Re: Bear Spray [Re: Howie]
Paddy_Crow Offline
member

Registered: 11/08/04
Posts: 2285
Loc: Michigan
Originally Posted By Howie
I can’t imagine how they come up with a 50% statistic like that. What did they do, run out and spray a bunch of bears to see the results? She didn’t really explain whether it had more to do with the technique (i.e. correct distance, wind direction etc) or whether it was just because some bears are more immune to the spray? It is one of those things where a guy might find out the hard way and not live to tell the tale.

I have some bear spray but so far I have not carried it. Mostly black bears where I go, but grizzlies are a possibility too.

Howie


If you're nose to nose with a grizzly, you're already in deep doo-doo. Whether the pepper spray works as advertised does not add to the severity of the consequences.

Top
#109406 - 01/15/09 03:15 PM Re: Bear Spray [Re: Howie]
Fiddleback Offline
member

Registered: 06/22/04
Posts: 478
Loc: Northern Rockies
FWIW, "...Canadian and U.S. researchers announced Wednesday that they found the spray stopped aggressive bear behaviour in 92 per cent of the cases, whether that behaviour was an attack or merely rummaging for food..." http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/03/26/bearspray.html?ref=rss

FB
_________________________
"...inalienable rights...include the right to a clean and healthful environment..." Montana Constitution

Top
#109417 - 01/15/09 04:44 PM Re: Bear Spray [Re: Fiddleback]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

(from the study)

Quote:

Still, the study contains an important caveat about the use of bear spray. Researchers found 11 incidents where bear spray applied to objects like tents, with the intent to repel bears, backfired and attracted them.


I'm just about spotting my chair laughing at that, at the thought of the clueless newb in the rockies with the brand new
7 pound tent pulled out of their brand new 7 pound backpack with the MEC store tags still on it, in their first jasper campsite.. spraying the thing down with "bear spray" like it was deep woods OFF...

It's only funny because it's so plausible with some behaviour I've seen in canadian national parks, and just makes me wish I'd managed to see it myself....



_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#109420 - 01/15/09 06:59 PM Re: Bear Spray [Re: Howie]
Keith Offline
member

Registered: 01/04/02
Posts: 1667
Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Originally Posted By Howie
<snip>she also said to be aware that it is only effective 50% of the time. You have to be closer than 15 feet for it to be possibly effective.


And some people buy lottery tickets for a 1 in 50 million chance!!

Sounds like excellent odds to me.
_________________________
Human Resources Memo: Floggings will continue until morale improves.

Top
#109421 - 01/15/09 07:43 PM Re: Bear Spray [Re: Keith]
Howie Offline
member

Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 481
Loc: Canora, SK, Canada
I wasn't scoffting at carrying bear spray. Even 50% odds is ok with me. It is just that it goes with the false sense of security we were talking about. The naturalist talked about people thinking they were John Wayne with two cannisters on their belt. "Bring em on!" sort of mentality.

Not winning the lottery is no big deal, but getting surprised by a bear and then getting a bigger surprise that the spray you were counting didn't even slow him down is a major problem.

Howie

Top
#109422 - 01/15/09 08:19 PM Re: Bear Spray [Re: Howie]
Paddy_Crow Offline
member

Registered: 11/08/04
Posts: 2285
Loc: Michigan
Originally Posted By Howie

Not winning the lottery is no big deal, but getting surprised by a bear and then getting a bigger surprise that the spray you were counting didn't even slow him down is a major problem.


I still don't see how that's more of a problem than surprising a bear and standing there empty handed. I have a hard time believing people strap a can of bear spray on their belt and then go out looking for trouble.

Top
#109459 - 01/16/09 09:49 AM Re: Bear Spray [Re: phat]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
Originally Posted By phat

(from the study)

Quote:

Still, the study contains an important caveat about the use of bear spray. Researchers found 11 incidents where bear spray applied to objects like tents, with the intent to repel bears, backfired and attracted them.


I'm just about spotting my chair laughing at that, at the thought of the clueless newb in the rockies with the brand new
7 pound tent pulled out of their brand new 7 pound backpack with the MEC store tags still on it, in their first jasper campsite.. spraying the thing down with "bear spray" like it was deep woods OFF...

It's only funny because it's so plausible with some behaviour I've seen in canadian national parks, and just makes me wish I'd managed to see it myself....





laugh laugh laugh laugh Yeah, I can see that happening as well. Too bad those type of people aren't restricted to Canada, but also live down here in the 48. You mentioned how it doesn't effect polar bears. I bet it really attracts them. grin
_________________________
I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.

Top
Page 2 of 2 < 1 2

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
2 registered (), 174 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum