Does Bear Spray Work? The science is clear, right? Not so fast...

[Harvest the Land]

Thanks for the heads up on this Morris. Good to know my can of Frontiersman might be useless

[Rob Chipman]

I really don't know if I could tag a charging bear with my rifle, or if bear spray would be better.

I do know this: if I'm with a buddy who's getting mauled I will be able to tag the bear with my rifle. Yes, I understand that the round may exit the bear and hit someone else (ie, the buddy getting mauled). Heard that story coming out of the Kootenays a few years ago where the guy survived a mauling that the bear did not, but the guy got the round in the knee or somewhere close.

I also know the Liard Hotsprings story where a gutsy guy died trying to save the woman by deploying a rotten tree trunk. The other guy who ran back to the truck for the rifle got there too late. If you've been there you know how far it is from the hot springs back to the truck.

I've heard a ton of stories from guys who work in the bush to know that these encounters may start fast but sometimes take a lot of time to unfold.

So, I'm sure spray works, and I'm sure the rifle works, but I know for a fact that the rifle will work when I really, really need it to (that is, when it's no longer a charge, but an attack, and the only question is who's going to survive it).

[jac]

I carry both. It’s been well documented that spray works well.

[LBM]

Bear spray recalled by Health Canada.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/bear-s...tion-1.5483690

Health Canada issued a product safety warning Wednesday for four different bear deterrent products.
Health Canada-canisters do not function properly and the product will not spray.
https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recal...75891r-eng.php

Guns can jam to.

[LBM]

I really don't know if I could tag a charging bear with my rifle, or if bear spray would be better.

I do know this: if I'm with a buddy who's getting mauled I will be able to tag the bear with my rifle. Yes, I understand that the round may exit the bear and hit someone else (ie, the buddy getting mauled). Heard that story coming out of the Kootenays a few years ago where the guy survived a mauling that the bear did not, but the guy got the round in the knee or somewhere close.

I also know the Liard Hotsprings story where a gutsy guy died trying to save the woman by deploying a rotten tree trunk. The other guy who ran back to the truck for the rifle got there too late. If you've been there you know how far it is from the hot springs back to the truck.

I've heard a ton of stories from guys who work in the bush to know that these encounters may start fast but sometimes take a lot of time to unfold.

So, I'm sure spray works, and I'm sure the rifle works, but I know for a fact that the rifle will work when I really, really need it to (that is, when it's no longer a charge, but an attack, and the only question is who's going to survive it).

I always ask people i hunt with if a bear is on me were are you going to shoot they always say for the front i saw no if broadside best to shoot it first in the hips.
If a bear is mauling some one its head and shoulders etc will usally be on the persons or the persons arms and legs will be flailing around his vitals, thus what happened to
the guy you mentioned. Shoot in hips first when it spins shoot in front with second shot.

[Bustercluck]

My buddy was watching a video last night of a guy who was mauled by a sow with Cubs. He had spray and a firearm, I think it was a pistol, not sure on what kind. The bear screwed off and tucked the Cubs away somewhere to come back and stock him from behind. He sprayed it once but it attacked three times. He ended up laying face down and playing dead while the thing nipped at his back a bunch of times to make sure he was dead and then it left him alone.

I’ll ask him for a link

[fishhunt]

My defender can jam, but will work in wind and rain and I can carry as mush ammo as I want. Bear spray can run out quickly, be useless in heavy rain or wind, malfunction, and not deter some bears. I carry a both defender and bear spray, but trust my defender first. The best defense is hunting with a competent partner who also carries a defender. Because even with a defender, a grizzly can come out of nowhere (tall grass) and you may not be able to react quick enough. Having someone else who's capable is great. Unfortunately, I'm usually the only one carrying the defender and spray. So my hunting partners will be protected, while me, less so!

[Rob Chipman]

I always ask people i hunt with if a bear is on me were are you going to shoot they always say for the front i saw no if broadside best to shoot it first in the hips.
If a bear is mauling some one its head and shoulders etc will usally be on the persons or the persons arms and legs will be flailing around his vitals, thus what happened to
the guy you mentioned. Shoot in hips first when it spins shoot in front with second shot.

That's some solid insight right there. Good practical advice. Good call.

[srupp]

Hmm famous Alberta sheep guide Leonard Jeck..I won't carry bear spray..no rifle no go
My standard advice..for night time encounter..everyone is offered a white the shirt for sleeping..night flights with bears..tired sleepy not at our best.,good guys are wearing white..camo sucks for this.
Bears investigate and dominate and mastic ate with their mouth.
So buddy is being chewed..move to the side..shoot bear in the rear hips angelLing rearwards...so bullet won't channel up the spine out mouth or face into buddy.
Not everyone mauled but everyone shot usually suffers worse fate.
Once first shot into back hips..femoral artery etc. .KEEP YOUR RIFLE FOCUSED ON SAME SPOT.
BEAR WILL DO 180 where his ass was his head WILL BE..now head shot..buddy will be left behind.
Finish the job..3rd shot if needed down into brain pan.
DEAD BEARS HAVE EYES WIDE OPEN !
NOW USE that emergency first aid you learned..giggle.and help bud..consider # spine stop all bleeding..access emergency comunication devise..get help..bud NEEDS assessment by ER Dr.

Oh ya NEVER SPRAY.
my .02
Srupp
Hmm know first hand of this being used 2x by outfitter.
Had charges over the years.,no contact

[Foxton Gundogs]

Thanks Steve, After several years as a bear guide and 60 + years as a bear hunter, I have learned one thing. Pepper is for AFTER the bear is on the BBQ. 45-70s and 12 ga Brennekes are for BEFORE the bear is dead.