School me on bear spray

Doctor SigFan

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I’m worried about bear attacks. I think they are on the rise for a number of reasons. I hike occasionally with the dogs in our wonderful state parks. But I’m mainly concerned about bear attacks while commuting. I don’t do anything to inflame bears while driving, but sometimes you just can’t avoid a bear attack. I would rather avoid the legal implications of shooting a bear from my truck. I just don’t want to deal with overzealous game wardens. And sometimes young bears grow up to be meaningful contributors to our ecosystem. Do any of our rugged outdoors people on this site have any first hand knowledge of bear sprays? Thanks in advance!

https://www.tripsavvy.com/best-bear-spray-4160416
 
To be clear, you’re worried about bear attacks while commuting, while you are in your truck? Have there been a significant number of bear vs f150 attacks recently? Bears are surprisingly fast, but in what scenario can’t the weakest of trucks outrun one?

Just trying to figure out the scenario that you’re preparing for.
 
I thought about the same thing the other day. Academy has several different options to choose from. Small key chain style/size up to the big boys. They all have deterrent ingredients that are supposed to be effective. The things that concerned me were distance and time. I want as much spray distance and time on target. 20 feet was the max distance and 8 seconds total, if I remember correctly. Thinking about putting two of the big ones in all the vehicles. Bears are becoming a problem lately.
 
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You have to be careful with spray. You might stick it out the window to spray a bear only to find that the wind is blowing it back in your face. Now, you've got an angry bear and a face full of bear spray. Hard to drive off or protect yourself when you can't see.
 
I think he is saying that he would rather use bear spray on 2 legged bears because he is worried about the legal complications of shooting one.
Lol, slow day for Jim.

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FWIW, @Bailey Boat is a fan of the “mean green” and I expect he has meaningful experience, but I’m not sure how they differ. Plan to consider when this batch expires.

There are also “lock on” canisters. Push the button, drop it out the window and 5 sec later it dumps a cloud. I think those come from Red Saber.
 
Saber and Fox Labs are usually considered the best. There are gel and spray options to consider and both have pros and cons.

As a note, you don't actually want "bear spray" but personal defense pepper sprays. Bears have a great sense of smell and don't really need that much irritant. Plus, I think bear sprays are (or used to be at least) monitored by the EPA whereas human personal defense sprays are not.
 
Having bear spray is a good idea, but the best way to avoid a bear while walking is to make some noise. In most cases a bear will be long gone before you ever see him.
 
well, i have Fox and Sabre,
but this is what i carry
while walking/hiking:

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mainly for dogs and coyotes.
 
My parents live in CT and have a lot of black bears. I bought them bear spray. We did a test run and tried it aiming down from the porch and it was impressive. I told them not to talk or take a deep breath but they did. We quickly went right in the house after one blast. They were both feeling the effects. If a person took a direct blast from that they would be incapacitated for a while. You have an easy 25' spray range and it lingers for a while.


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Kimber Pepper Blasters

10% OC solution and easy to fire

My neighbor shot a charging dog with one blast (there are two controlled shots in it) and it took off like it was literally on fire.

Only drawback would be the two shots versus a 10 second spray for a crowd of bears.

In Montana, we had several cans of 2% Major Capsaicinoids and from what I read, that’s as strong as it gets
 
I think you missed the real meaning of this post.
Sorry, excuse me. Let's see. Have I been attacked by a bear and had to use bear spray on him to keep from having my head ripped off ? No.....thank God. Do I carry bear spray with me when camping, hunting? Why yes I do.
 
Why are we talking in secret whisper code? Is it illegal to talk about non-lethal self defense options?!?!
 
Fox was the best I have ever seen for stopping "bears". Just remember,it does not work instantly,it takes a few seconds to effect the "bear".
 
Sorry, excuse me. Let's see. Have I been attacked by a bear and had to use bear spray on him to keep from having my head ripped off ? No.....thank God. Do I carry bear spray with me when camping, hunting? Why yes I do.
LOL. They are not discussing bears in the wild.
 
Sorry, excuse me. Let's see. Have I been attacked by a bear and had to use bear spray on him to keep from having my head ripped off ? No.....thank God. Do I carry bear spray with me when camping, hunting? Why yes I do.
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Now, you've got an angry bear and a face full of bear spray.
I was just chuckling until I read this, which made my drink shoot out of my nose!!
Too funny!
 
Back in the day, when I had a paper route I used a spray bottle filled with ammonia, set on the longest stream it would make. Great for attacking dogs and most any critter that would do you harm.
Spray bottle from Walmart - $1 (refillable) 32oz
Bottle of Ammonia from Walmart - $1.16

The stink alone would send you running.
 
Back in the day, when I had a paper route I used a spray bottle filled with ammonia, set on the longest stream it would make. Great for attacking dogs and most any critter that would do you harm.
Spray bottle from Walmart - $1 (refillable) 32oz
Bottle of Ammonia from Walmart - $1.16

The stink alone would send you running.
Super soaker fun.
 
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