What is "bear spray"
 

Making packing lists for Alaska trip in 5 days. Keep reading about "bear spray". I can not imagine anything in a spray bottle that would ward off a bear - think it would only piss them off. So what is bear spray, do I need it for casual light hiking, and anyone ever have to use it and did it work. (I guess it did, because if you answer, it means you were not eaten by a bear)

I think it's some sort of pepper spray that you carry, like women carry on their key rings for self-defense.

As they say, you always know there's a grizzly bear on the trail when you find bear poop full of bear bells, smelling oddly of bear spray.

I believe you are talking about pepper spray. Years ago we were hiking in Glacier National Park, and we were told by a park ranger than another of the park rangers had recently been approached or attacked (I can't remember which) by a grizzly bear. We were told he emptied an entire can of pepper spray before the bear left him alone, but it saved his life. However, pepper spray isn't allowed everywhere. We had it confiscated when we went over the Canadian border.

Pepper spray that is effective for fending off bear attacks (if you have to) is sold in Canada. Just Google it and you will come up with several suppliers. But you can't take it back and forth across borders.

It's a specially scented perfume that you yourself use- to smell like a bear. That way you can get close to the bear, he'll think that you're very similar to him, and have your traveling companions take pictures which you can then make into Christmas cards to send to other friends.

great idea kelly!
kind of like shark repellant - but not!

I'd skip the spray, and just make sure I made some noise when hiking in bear country. Bears don't want to get too close to you any more than you want to get too close to them. If they see or hear you coming, they will get out of your way.

I would absolutely NOT hike in any area that was frequented by Grizzly or Brown bears without Bear Spray. It is a vital piece of equipment that one absolutely needs to have on their person WITHIN EASY REACH if you will be hiking in these types of areas. Rangers from any national park that is in Bear Country will advise the same.

While it is only used as a last resort, I would not want to be without it when that last resort reared it's ugly, toothy head. All the noise in the world will not deter a brown bear if she is charging at you at full speed because you stumbled upon her cubs or a fresh kill.

Here is info on hiking in bear country:

http://www.yellowstone-bearman.com/b_spray.html

If you take pepper spray- make sure and take a look at the container, so you know how it sprays. More than one camper has sprayed it all over themselves, probably leaving the bear in hysterics.

You can not take bear spray on an airplane.

I think you would have to purchase it once you get to Alaska. I went through security once with my pepper spray on my key ring, and they confiscated it because it's a weapon.

All joking aside, I would not quickly take the advice of people on a forum such as this not to carry bear spray if your are hiking in bear country.

First, bear spray is not the same as civilian pepper spray - it is considerably stronger. Second, every state, provincial, and federal park ranger I have ever talked to strongly recommends carrying bear spray if you are hiking in bear country.

One poster made the point that making noise as you hike will deter the average bear. That's true, however, if you come across a bear that doesn't consider itself average, bear spray may be your salvation.

Finally, read the directions. Bear spray is only effective when fired at the bear from relatively short distance and then inhaled by the bear. It is not a repellant like DEET but every year, people spray bear spray on themselves or around their tents. There is some evidence it attracts, not repels bears when used that way.

Thank you - all of this is informative, if not reassuring. If there is anything similar necessary for vicious fish and sea mammals on our sealife boat trip, please do not tell me.

We always hike in Canada with our bear spray attached to our backpacks. We've never come across a bear yet (knock on wood), but it makes me feel better knowing that we have it.

Since we're leaving for California on Saturday and heading to Yosemite for 3 nights, I was wondering about our bear spray... Very interesting - are you sure that you can't put it into your checked luggage? Is there somewhere that we'll be able to buy it when we get down there?

Thanks!

Jenn

when we hiked in glacier park, i carried a can of bear sray within easy reach. i also practiced getting it off and ready to spray at a low angle so the spray goes up toward the bear's head. also, sang a lot along the trail. we didn't see any bears.

I am not certain on this, but I have researched and researched this. You can find a couple of my post on here. From what I have read the spray called COUNTER ASSAULT is supposed to be the best. I would get it with the holster. We are going to Yellowstone next week and after our trip to Alaska last year, I want to have it with me. We saw over 20 bears in Alaska. Yes, we came within inches of even hitting one in our car. Most of them we saw less than 100 feet from us from the safety of a boat while Salmon Fishing.

http://www.photoworks.com/members/Spirobulldog

I have some photos of alaska and fishing with bears if you are interested.

Where are you going in Alaska?

Don't bother getting bear spray for Yosemite, or even those stupid bear bells.

Yosemite bears are black bears, and are pretty harmless, unless you are huddled in your car wrapped in bacon with a grocery bag on your head.

They are only interested in the food you carry, not you as food. They are wily enough that they will look into cars and easily rip them open if they perceive there is food in there. They quickly learn what grocery bags look like so you must take all your foodstuffs, odiferous items, and anything in a grocery bag out of your car and put it in the bear boxes provided in the park. They are really big strong pests, but not dangerous to your life, unless you get between a mother and her cubs.

You can read all about Yosemite bears on their website:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bears.htm

As I said, just forget about the bear spray there. I once accidentally sprayed myself with bear spray when fooling around with the cannister in Alaska. Big mistake. It is really nasty stuff.

Also, try avoid perfumes or scented products that smell like sizzling bacon or cinnamon rolls.