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Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
New hunter from ontario here. I become a bc resident Jan 1 and want to scout some areas for next year's deer season. I figure I'll bring the 12 gauge for small game. Being from ontario we only see black and brown bears the size of a big German Sheppard maybe and they spook pretty easy. Even a sow with Cubs will bolt as soon as she sees or smells you. Never seen a grizz before. Talking to hunting buddies at work it seems like everyone has a grizzly story lol. Do you guys carry bear spray or just rely on your rifle?
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Personally I don’t carry bear spray well hunting with a firearm/bow, camping, or fishing. I have never seen the need to.
everyone has there own opinion
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
I'd go rifle up the shoot, And on safety, in areas where your allowed to carry a rifle ,to shoot at bears etc -- the bear spray I never used -- :?:
Jel -- good luck hunter in BC with all of us together -- hunting and hiking and scouting -- jogging and walking the wilderness -- Good Luck Big Chris
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
I would never rely on bear spray to stop a charging bear.
If using a shotgun make sure you have some good quality solid slugs along.And forget about buckshot-it simply lacks penetration.
A big caliber rifle is best. I personally use the 45/70 Guide Gun loaded with 540 gr. bullets, a 375H&H loaded with 300 gr. bullets & sometimes a Defender loaded with 3"mag Brenneke slugs when retrieving game.
We do have a couple cans of bear spray at camp in case a curious bear appears.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
I carry bear spray. I seem to carry it around quite a bit more than I thought I would. I throw it in my pack when I’m out on my bike with the kids or when I’m fishing. I have a 20 gauge backpacker I also carry around if I’m in the bush. I would prefer to have a nice big revolver like the 500 s&w, but that’s never going to happen.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Nope. Short pump action when scouting out of season in grizz country.
In blacktail country I carry nothing
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
My bear spray is 250 grains and flies at 2800 FPS
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
I spent 20 years working in the bush and never carried bear spray. I had one or two occasion that it may have come in handy, but for the most part making noise keeps the bears away. While bow hunting and scouting on the other hand, I carry spray. One is way quieter while hunting and the chances of bumping into a bear is way more likely. My hunting partner and I ,while scouting both carry spray, one of us packs a shotgun and the other guy packs the spotting scope and tripod.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Never carry bear spray just a rifle when scouting or hunting and a handgun when I’m working.( I have a permit to carry the handgun).
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Bear spray in grizzly country especially when solo. On the hip as it doesn't so much good in the pack.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
I hunt almost exclusively in grizz country. I always carry it.
Too me, it's better to have both. Some times a rifle is out of reach. Sometimes you get knocked around. Sometimes an attack doesn't present a safe shot. For these reasons, bear spray is always attached to my chest via bino harness straps. Even when carrying a 12g with slugs. Better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Pepper is for after the bear is on the BBQ. Personally if not hunting I carry my holy crap cannon. 45-70 customized double gun throwing 540 gr "train stoppers"
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Unless I'm bow hunting I have my rifle on me year round in the bush...bears get spray in the form of lead...
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Bear spray stays in the truck or at camp.. when I remember to bring it. I'm never not armed with a rifle or short shotty when in bear country. I've spent some time out in the bush, not as much as some to be sure - but never had a bear encounter that rattled me,, fingers crossed it stays that way. lol
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
If i'm not hunting (with a rifle), I always have a trapper 30-30 handy when in the bush/on the river.
Better to have and not need, than to not have.
Watched some drunk guys spray each other at a pit party one night and decided that can spray wasn't good enough to protect me or my kids.
I'll stick with lead spray.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Yes I do carry bear spray at all times never have had to use it todate but its nice to know you have it with you at all times..
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Bear spray is better than nothing... If I can I bring both gun and bear spray.
If its only bear spray I can bring I also bring a big knife, there is definitely a chance you could be using this as bear spray isn't a guarantee to stop an animal.
Another thought.. I've had wolves come after me and bear spray would not have been as great you'd really want a shotgun (which I had and it worked great).
Also you need to watch your wind with spray. If you get it back into your face deep in the brush and a predator is after you not a good situation...
Just keep your expectations of what it does realistic. Its a pepper spray that works well on curious bears. Its a toss up in other scenarios.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jordan f.
I hunt almost exclusively in grizz country. I always carry it.
Too me, it's better to have both. Some times a rifle is out of reach. Sometimes you get knocked around. Sometimes an attack doesn't present a safe shot. For these reasons, bear spray is always attached to my chest via bino harness straps. Even when carrying a 12g with slugs. Better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.
This! I have a holder that attaches to my mystery ranch bino harness. A buddy and I were charged and killed a grizz still coming full stream at 13 y last year. It took a shot from each of us to drop her. I like the idea of a back up, I am not to cool or tough to carry bear spray.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rhyno
This! I have a holder that attaches to my mystery ranch bino harness. A buddy and I were charged and killed a grizz still coming full stream at 13 y last year. It took a shot from each of us to drop her. I like the idea of a back up, I am not to cool or tough to carry bear spray.
2 shots of Bear Spray killed a G Bear ? WOW :shock: :tongue: RJ
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
I always carry bear spray on my belt, especially when I'm not able to pack a gun. One hell of a lot more comforting to have bear spray with you, than waving your fly rod at a cranky bear. It could be the best $50 you can spend. A couple of years ago, 2 guys from Fernie, B.C. were walking up a mountain trail to check a trail cam. One had a rifle strapped to his pack and the other carried bear spray. They were charged at very close range. The fellow with the bear spray was knocked down a steep bank with the grizzly on top of him. As the bear was mauling him ,he managed to spray it with the bear spray. This stopped the attack on him. Though badly chewed up, both guys survived and were able to get out for medical help. I'm sure they will both be carrying bear spray in future.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
I find my dog is a better side arm then bearspray. She’s saved my arse twice now from grizzlys. The second time, there’s a 99% chance myself and my dad would have been bear food, was no time to even think about pulling a rifle, or bearspray. If I didn’t have my dog with me all the time tho, I would certainly consider packing it.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
After using 3/4 of the large, new can of counter assault on my own 50lb dog in 3 or 4 bursts from about 2 feet way directly into his face, mouth, eye and nose. All he did was shake his head and get back into the fight. The spray was essentially useless. I had to end the fight by swooping in and picking him up immediately after spraying him once I recognized the pattern.
This was the friendlyiest dog on on the planet protecting me from another dog.
Useless on him, so would I expect better on an animal 10 times its size and conditioned to a rough life fighting and killing to survive?.... nope.
Maybe a curuous bear but then again that one doesn't need spraying.
Enraged animal? It'd be the last thing of reach for.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
I have a gun .... much more effective!
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
I'm new to bc from ontario, where is grizz country here? I hear the kootenays, northern BC and the coast are heavily populated. Not so much the okanagan though. Next year I will be hunting around merritt in the fall.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
REMINGTON JIM
2 shots of Bear Spray killed a G Bear ? WOW :shock: :tongue: RJ
Haha, true its was a couple of lead pills that killed her but I liked the idea of a back up if I got knocked down.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Best bear defence is the one you actually carry.
For me, that usually boils down to my Leatherman, which is just a bit better than fists but i always have it. I have bear spray and a range of firearms that would be excellent bear protection but I'm not scared enough to always carry them when I wander into the bush.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
REMINGTON JIM
2 shots of Bear Spray killed a G Bear ? WOW :shock: :tongue: RJ
Now that's funny right there
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Big Chris
... Being from ontario we only see black and brown bears the size of a big German Sheppard maybe and they spook pretty easy. Even a sow with Cubs will bolt as soon as she sees or smells you.
First: We have Black Bears of proportions that will simply amaze you.
I have taken two well over seven feet in the past 2 years.
Both were also well over 500 pounds, and easily capable of inflicting some rather major damage should they be so inclined.
Grizz ain't the only BoogyMan out there!! ;)
Second: Having tested various forms of bear sprays out on actual bears when working for National Parks, I personally will never own nor carry the stuff. While it worked on a fair number of bears, where it failed was almost exclusively with large dominant males - the very last kind you want it to fail with. Really.
Others find it gives them some form of comfort, and a few have actually saved their own bacon by deploying the stuff.
But for me, protection comes in the form of a short double 12 gauge (with SLUGS!!) when bowhunting, or the 300 Weatherby when engaged in a rifle hunt.
Cheers & Welcome to BC!
Nog
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Big Chris
New hunter from ontario here. I become a bc resident Jan 1 and want to scout some areas for next year's deer season. I figure I'll bring the 12 gauge for small game. Being from ontario we only see black and brown bears the size of a big German Sheppard maybe and they spook pretty easy. Even a sow with Cubs will bolt as soon as she sees or smells you. Never seen a grizz before. Talking to hunting buddies at work it seems like everyone has a grizzly story lol. Do you guys carry bear spray or just rely on your rifle?
I too left Ontario in the spring of '65 & never looked back!
Here’s what they look like
You’re next!:-P
https://azureblob.faecdn.com/cdn/d/h...ar-grizzly.jpg
Recent Grizzly release-just imagine if the camera/tripod was you!
Fast is an understatement.
http://guide.sportsmansguide.com/this-grizzly-bear-release-is-terrifying-video/
video
https://www.reddit.com/r/gifs/comments/9ioa2n/grizzly_bear_release/
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
My WIFE packs Bear spray BUT I pack a 12 gauge Shotty or a Rifle when in a Area of BEAR concern ! I will NOT even to BEGIN to depend on Bear spray to SAVE my hide ! RJ
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Bear Spray is like a leaky condom. It gives you a false sense of security while getting screwed
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
12 gauge pump slug gun, short 12" barrel, check your back every so often for creepy, sneaky cats
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
No bear spray, just a good reliable hunting rifle.
12 gauge when just scouting camping fishing etc
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
I don't take bear spray when hunting but I do take bear spray when I fish the Vedder River. Just the sight of the small bear spray container hanging from my breast pocket of my fishing vest seems to eliminate confrontations and that's all I need it to do.
Attentive "Bears" change their disposition once they see and recognize a little bear spray dispenser. I've had it hanging on my best for 21 years now - no clue if it works.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
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Originally Posted by
Rieber
I don't take bear spray when hunting but I do take bear spray when I fish the Vedder River. Just the sight of the small bear spray container hanging from my breast pocket of my fishing vest seems to eliminate confrontations and that's all I need it to do.
Attentive "Bears" change their disposition once they see and recognize a little bear spray dispenser. I've had it hanging on my best for 21 years now - no clue if it works.
The ol vedder has got this bad eh?
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
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Originally Posted by
RackStar
The ol vedder has got this bad eh?
Honestly, I can't even go there any more - it just stresses me out too much. Look, there area ton of honest fishermen but there are also too many asterholds that I can no longer keep my composure around. My knees and overall stability really hurts me too much to walk on river rock for long distances so I'm sadly limited to the heavy visited locations. I don't care - I won't go there anymore.
I have a few wonderful friends (one is Nog's late season crossbow buddy) that we go to a couple fabulous stillwater lakes from Spring to Fall which we hit almost every nice weather weekend. Then its reloading and flytying time until spring bear and stillwater season again.
Yup - no more time for Stelhead or salmon on the Vedder - and it's a shame that I won't go anymore and I'm only 20 minutes away from the river. Sad.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Lead bear spray. Chilli sauce stays in the kitchen
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
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Originally Posted by
Squamch
Lead bear spray. Chilli sauce stays in the kitchen
Thats about my feel on the matter. I’m sure there’s a percentage of bears that prefer some pepper on their human. Short shotgun w slugs.... shoulder,vitals,brain.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Maybe I’m getting a little paranoid as I get older but this year was first year I carried bear spray on my backpack hipbelt all the time. I find on my back pack hunts my rifle is usually strapped to my pack and I’m using hiking poles to take weight off my weak knee.
With ever increasing grizzlies populations I carried spray on my moose hunt up north.
Literally only taking it off while sleeping.
I also found it not bothersome at all to carry on my belt.
Hearing campfire stories of guys getting knocked down by bears and rifle goes flying etc.
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Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Yep at all times I carry spray never know when you might not be able to shoot at a surprise attack