Bear spray?
 

The NPS website states that it is up to you whether you want to bring it. Is it any useful in a real encounter?

I think being able to run and climb would be better. (Of course, I guess bears can climb too, but I bet I can climb higher!)

If you're close enough to use "bear spray" then you're probably done for.

Hi Cheerful
I have interacted with bears in the wild several times. Never used spray. I think it would just make them mad. What you want to do is take steps to avoid contact with the bears.

Have fun
GP

The bears probably treat the spray as if it were a McCormicks seasoning for humans.

First of all, bears (especially grizzlies) are MUCH faster than humans. Running from a bear is probably the WORST thing you can do.

Second, Bear Spray is only useful if you know how to use it and have it at hand (not in the bottom of your backpack).

Finally, you probably should get advice from somewhere other than a random sampling of anonymous stangers (such as myself). Take a look at:
www.bebearaware.org/peppernfnf.htm

Note that, as stated on the above website, bear spray is a "last line of defense". Hiking in groups, making noise, and being aware of your surroundings are all much more effctive ways of avoiding bear encounters.

I can tell you that you definetly can NOT outrun a bear. Black bears climb trees; grizzly bear does not climb.
I hike Glacier park frequently(live close by) and never hike without spray though I have yet to use it thank God.It has been proven to deter bears while you make your getaway walking backwards slowly while facing the bear but not looking into his eyes.Sounds silly I know.
Best deterent is to hike in groups and make noise such as singing, loud talk etc. so as not to surprise a bear.
Happy trails and hike with spray

Camping in the sierras you will have encounters with brown bears. Had very close encounter with them while camping. BIL clapped his thongs (shoes) together loudly to send them on their way.

My advise: Don't carry food and don't be around food when in an area with bears. Use bear lockers 100% of the time.

We bought bear spray the last time we were in the Canadian National Parks. The bear spray is a larger canister than the ones used for people. My DH wore it in a handy holster every time we went for a hike in the parks where there can be bears.

The National Park newspapers in Canada recommeded carrying it.

Utahtea

Would someone pleeeez tell that joke about what they found inside a bear after they did an autopsy?

I know enuff of it to screw it up.
Suprise, huh?
Kal

If it gives you peace of mind, then go ahead and carry it.

Please, though, make sure you learn how to use the darn thing before you set off in the woods.

Oh, and make sure you can outrun at least one other person in your group.

(that's sort of a variation on a reaalllly old joke.)

JackO...hahahaha...now THAT one I remember!

My Dad always said he could outrun any bear 'cuz the bear would be too busy slippin' in his poop to catch him!

I know...the apple doesn't fall far....
8-}

Montana grizzly bear notice:

In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear conflicts, the Montana Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters, and fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert for bears while in the field.

We advise that outdoorsmen wear noisy little bells on their clothing so as not to startle bears that aren't expecting them. We also advise outdoorsmen to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear. It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear poop. Black bear poop is smaller and contains lots of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear poop is larger and has little bells in it and smells like pepper.

Forget the bells! Just play that last American Idol song real loud, you won't find a bear in 3 miles radius!

Do you have to take a class in bear poop in order to know the difference?

GoTravel, no, just look at the poop-ups which appear on the websites selling this spray :)

OO!
We gotta winner!
Thx!

Kal, I cannot tell a lie. I too remembered just enough of it to mess it up royally. Google remembered the rest! Bless google...best thing since sliced bread! I like your Dad's take on the situation. LOL

OK, now for real....have any of you ever envisioned yourselves in a situation where you ARE being attacked and you do the recommended of dropping and playing dead as it mauls you? Who amongst us thinks they would be capable of that? I'm not so sure I could even remember it under the circumstances, let alone follow through!

lol Suzie.....glad you clarified that you meant SHOES.

(Oh my terrible mind, I can just see it now. LOLOL)

Speaking of bears, I remember this story from a few years ago...

In Keithville, La., as many as 50 people, including sheriff's deputies, game wardens and wildlife officials, spend most of the night trying to rescue what appears to be a black bear caught high in a pine tree. Finally, after nearly eight hours, during which a
veterinarian fired a number of tranquilizer darts, the rescuers chop the tree down and discover that they have saved a heavily sedated black garbage bag.

Olive Oyl, if I see a bear not in a zoo I'd drop dead without playing!

You can buy "bear bells" in many stores in Alaska and I never went hiking without them. The only bears I saw were a good distance away.

Wow, never imagined my little question generated so much fun!

What is the odd for bear encounter in Denali NP?

It depends. We were in alaska last summer and the locals told us that if we went on hikes just to talk a lot and be loud the whole time. Bears will hear you and run away way before you even see them.

Bear spray does work..... absolutely. And, it has been documented many times including one last week in the Anchorage Daily News.

Readers Digest Version: Experienced hiker and his wife were charged by a sow at CLOSE range when they ended up between her and her cub. This would have led to a certain physical contact had the hiker not used his spray or had a gun....and used it with skill and luck.

Spray eliminates much of the luck portion of the equasion since it sprays out in a curtain of up to 30 feet wide.

This particular encounter is amazing in that NO ONE would likely stop a sow in this situation...... defending her cub, they WILL fight to the death. Yet, for the first time in Alaska, if not in the history of bear attacks, a can of spray stopped an enraged mother. And, not only stopped her, but sent her running in the opposite direction from 20 feet!

The upside to spray is that it is non-lethal, small (easy to carry), and has a proven track record.

The downside to spray is that to surprise a bear, you are probably walking into the wind. Which means you might spray yourself.

I still pack a gun when hiking because I trust a bullet to travel better than a mist. But, there are many many times, when at 35 mph through the brush, from 20 yards away, the hiker does not have time to even shoulder his weapon much less see anything other than exploding trees coming his/her way. Being able to spray a barrier (no pun intended) would be very handy in such circumstance. That is to say, guns require a line of sight to be effective, and bear spray just requires you aim in the general direction of the incoming train.

From the same story, the experienced hiker and his wife both said that they KNEW not to be so quiet when traveling in the deeper brush. The truth is, had they practiced a bit of the noise they knew to make, they probably would not have had to spray the bear or wash their shorts that day.

How loud is the bear bell? I like animals and would love to see some during hiking. Will the bell be so loud so that no animal will be left in sight? If so, is there any better noise maker with the proper loudness?

Thanks!

Bears aside, do you REALLY want to encounter a moose, bison, cougar, etc while hiking?

Moose are among the most ill-tempered animals in the American West. Bison attack many more people in Yellowstone every year than do bears. And while cougar encounters are very rare, they are one of the few animals that will actually stalk a human.

Remember: as soon as you hike 100 yards from your vehicle, you've entered the food chain.

Chances are very good that all animals will hear, and smell, you well before you catch a glimpse of them. The bear bell is just a little more insurance.

In Denali, you WILL see wildlife. Just don't think you can mingle with it.

Where can I buy Bear Bell and Bear Spray?

To Cheerful,

Sporting good stores carry it. Especially near areas where there will be bear activity.

Utahtea

Cheerful - skip the bear bells - completely useless. Much better to talk loud, sing, etc. I grew up backpacking and hiking in MT and as other posters mentioned, the best thing to do is hike in groups, be loud, and be AWARE. My scariest moments have been when I wasn't paying attention and unintentionally startled an animal. Which could be a bear, elk, deer, moose, etc. Incidently, the worst was with a moose that charged us when we startled it and her calf. I always carry spray but make sure you know how to use it and have it at immediate reach - by the time you reach for it hanging on a backpack, it's probably too late to do any good. P.S. - spray has been shown to successfully drive away moose :)

Can't find any bear spray in any store near me (east coast). Any store I can buy in Anchorage, Seward or Fairbanks?

Is there a website teaching how to use it?

Thanks!

There's been a bear frequently my neighborhood lately. From what he's been doing, I doubt there are many berries or squirrel furs in his poop! This guys' been eating out of the Ski Tip Lodge's dumpster. At least he has good taste.

CHEERFUL
The best you can buy imho is a brand called counter assault.
Be sure to also purchase the holster to attach to your belt or backpack. Insructions for use are printed on the can. Read BEFORE leaving on a hike. The can will completly empty in 7 seconds--enough time to confuse ms. grizzly and make your getaway. Blackbears can be scared away by yelling etc. but don't take a chance. Use spray on it also.
Couldn't find a web sight for counter assault but a search on google found lots of bear spray links.
Counter assault phone number is
406 257 4740. I'm sure if you call them they could give you the name of a retailer in your area or where you intend to hike.
Happy trails and get that spray!!!

CHEERFUL
Hey, I just found their web site
www.counterassault.com

Thanks for the great info. But time is running out for me and it is too late to order online (unless I want to pay some outrageous shipping). Can I find it in Anchorage or Seward? Thanks!

I don't have a source for you, sorry. But I'm thinking that you'll be able to get bear spray at any outfitter that specializes in hiking & camping equip, etc, both in Seward and Anchorage.

Don't know where you're coming from, but I've seen articles online that mention the purchase of bear spray in other states besides Alaska, again at shops that specialize in camping, hiking, etc.

If you do manage to get some spray before you arrive in AK, make sure if you're flying there, that you keep it in its original sealed container, and that you put it in your checked luggage. That stuff can be dangerous, and it might be confiscated if it's found in your carry-on.

Have an awesome trip!