Start spraying once an agitated charging bear is within 60 feet The charging bear and the bear spray cloud will meet at about 30 feet Bear spray has a high success rate of stopping charging bears before contact when the bear spray is deployed at this distance
When should you use bear spray?
► USE SPRAY TO DETER AN AGGRESSIVE BEAR It should be used only at close range ► WHEN THE BEAR IS 20-30 FT (6-10 M) away, give a 1-2 second blast Aim slightly downward in front of the bear’s head
What is bear spray used for?
Bear spray is a specific aerosol spray bear deterrent, whose active ingredients are highly irritant capsaicin and related capsaicinoids, that is used to deter aggressive or charging bears
Should you use bear spray?
Bear spray and firearms are the last tools in your toolbox They should not provide a false sense of security It is recommended that you carry bear spray when hiking in bear country However, some parks do not allow the possession or use of bear spray
What do you do after bear spray?
If some of the spray gets on you, wash your skin and clothing immediately with water and take quick breaths to avoid inhaling too much And if you accidentally discharge a canister, leave the area—bear spray in a tent, car, or other confined space will quickly become a very uncomfortable situation
Is it illegal to use bear spray on humans?
Can you use bear spray on humans and dogs? Do not use bear pepper spray on dogs or humans Bear spray is regulated as a pesticide by the EPA and has only been approved for use on bears It should not be used on any other animals, including humans
Can you use bear spray self defense?
Bear spray isn’t designed to fend off humans, but one reason you might see people carrying it for self defense (in real life and in fiction) is that it’s legal in places where pepper spray isn’t It just isn’t as effective You’ll have to wait until book three to see if and when oleoresin capsicum gets used
How bad is bear spray?
When sprayed into the face of a person or bear, capsaicin inflames the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and lungs, causing temporary loss of sight, nasal congestion, and, in some, difficulty breathing, Rizzo says Bear spray costs $30 to $50 for an eight- to 10-ounce can
What happens if you spray a human with bear spray?
The inflammatory properties of the bear spray will affect humans in a similar way as it does bears A person contaminated with bear spray will experience the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and lungs to swell and be irritated take short shallow breaths to avoid breathing in the spray
Will bear spray stop a grizzly?
“There are reasons why bear spray should be the first choice for anybody recreating in bear country,” he says, pointing to Smith’s research in Alaska that showed bear spray to be 92 percent effective in deterring attacks by grizzly, black and polar bears
Where do you put bear spray?
Carrying bear spray Keep the spray accessible Carry it in a hip or chest holster, and not in your backpack or with your other gear When biking or quadding, the best option is to keep the bear spray in a chest holster or jersey pocket While sleeping, keep the spray next to your flashlight
Where do you spray bear spray?
Spray in a zigzag pattern to put a cloud of spray between yourself and the bear If the bear doesn’t stop, aim directly at the bear’s face When the bear halts its charge or changes direction, leave the area promptly
Will bear spray stop a charging bear?
Statistically, bear spray is more effective at deterring a charging bear In a study done in 2008 (Smith et 2012), they were effective 84% with handguns and 76% with rifles to stop bears from undesirable behavior
How long is bear mace good for?
Over time, a bear spray canister can lose its pressure, therefore, manufacturers print an expiry date on the canister Barring exposure to extreme heat, cold or physical damage like being dropped or dented, the shelf life of most bear spray products is in the neighbourhood of 3 to 4 years
What is the most effective bear spray?
Best Bear Spray SABRE FRONTIERSMAN 79 OZ BEAR SPRAY COUNTER ASSAULT BEAR REPELLENT SPRAY SABRE FRONTIERSMAN 92 OZ BEAR SPRAY UDAP BEAR SPRAY (COLOR GRIZ GUARD HOLSTER) UDAP BEAR SPRAY (CAMO HIP HOLSTER) GUARD ALASKA WITH PEPPER ENFORCEMENT HOLSTER GUARD ALASKA
Will bear spray work on mountain lions?
Bear spray works equally effectively on mountain lions PEOPLE HAVE FENDED OFF MOUNTAIN LIONS WITH STICKS, ROCKS, EVEN A PEN
Can I use pepper spray instead of bear spray?
But not any spray will do The personal-defense pepper spray some people carry in their cars or purses will not work on a bear, Servheen says Bear spray contains different active ingredients (capsaicin and related capsaicinoids) than pepper spray The research confirms that it’s highly effective
Does bear spray hurt bears?
There are two sizes of bear spray typically available: an 8 and 10-ounce canister A 10-ounce canister is typically enough to deter any large animal Don’t worry, the bear spray will not permanently harm the animal, but it will allow you enough time to leave the area
Can bear spray blind you?
Both bear spray and pepper spray contain the same active ingredient, OC (oleoresin capsicum) and can cause temporary blindness, nausea, burning sensations, inability to breathe temporarily and other bothersome symptoms
How long does bear spray last in the air?
It depends on the circulation of air in the room With ventilation or open windows and a fan or air conditioning running, the lingering smell of pepper spray may only last a few minutes after its use In rooms where the air is still or there’s little ventilation, it can last for up to 30 minutes
Is bear spray better than a gun?
In scientific studies conducted by University of Calgary grizzly-bear expert Stephen Herrero, bear spray was found to be 94% effective in deterring aggressive bears Unlike a gun, bear spray does not have to be aimed precisely to stop a charging bear