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.
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
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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....
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.
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.
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....
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.
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