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Raincouver, British Columbia
Canada
712 Posts |
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876 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2008 : 12:31 PM
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"BFK" 
Thanks; interesting article. It's nice to see a compilation of data like that, and perhaps a bit affirming for those of us who carry bear spray. Although there's still something about a "BFG" that makes a person feel aroused safe. |
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Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
253 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2008 : 12:46 PM
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That's an interesting article. It kind of makes me feel safer when in the backcountry (I always carry bear spray). Not that I would carry a gun into the backcountry anyways.
I guess the other thing is, if you spray a bear with bearspray, do the wildlife officers always go back and kill the bear? I know they do that sometimes when bears attack and hurt/kill humans.... but do they do it for 'close calls' as well?
I guess I was thinking that maybe bear spray might give the bears a second change? |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1461 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2008 : 1:12 PM
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| "For me, pepper, I put it on my plate."- Jean Chrétien |
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prince george/robson valley, bc
Canada
117 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2008 : 4:03 PM
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quote:
Still, the study contains an important caveat about the use of bear spray. Researchers found 11 incidents where bear spray applied to objects like tents, with the intent to repel bears, backfired and attracted them.
ahh, backcountry condiments!
bears actually like the scent of pepper spray. the reason that the canister sprays are effective is because of the concentration of active ingredients in the initial blast(s). when i worked on the kicking horse resort (part of home turf to at least a dozen wild bears) we'd often see an animal return to the area that some poor sod had sprayed during their 'encounter', and roll in it. it was like the stuff was catnip for them!
personally, i don't carry anything, firearm or spray, and because of behavioral conditioning, bells seem to be a bit of a joke these days. in 30 years i've never seen a bear closer than 30 feet, and mutual "leave me be" has been enough.
yes, i count myself fortunate, as being a hunter, i don't tend to make a lot of noise when i'm out, by habit.
if i had to pick one though, i'd go with double ought, any day. they sting like hell at far greater distances than sprays, and i already know how to use a shotgun.
training is one factor that article didn't mention... |
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 ass wigglin, cheese lovin, 4x4 drivin, apostrophe hatin, hiking chick who loves camping on snow
spaceship..
Canada
7209 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2008 : 4:44 PM
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Im pretty sure I am bear repellent.
I have yet to see a bear, well I've seen one, but it was so far away it was a black blob in the distance.
When I hiked the rockies, both times everyone else saw a bear, but I was like 10 seconds too late! We even had a bear roaming around one of the campsites we stayed at, before starting our trek.
I even had a ranger warn me while I was in the outhouse once, telling me there was a bear roaming around...never saw it.
I dont carry anything. Would never have the coordination to shoot spray, nor the guts to fire off any kind of explosives. I can't stand the noise of bells.
Im sure my singing (Ive come to realise in recent years I sing when Im nervous... shhh, don't tell anyone), will scare most animals away.   |
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vancouver, bc
Canada
39 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2008 : 5:27 PM
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| for the present time i stopped carrying one because i have never had to pull the trigger even when i encountered bears on my trips. is there a place besides alaska that we must carry one? i would like to know just in case i venture out out of my usual haunts. the places i've never carried one are the wct, wonderland trail in mt. ranier, chilliwack area, maple ridge area, manning park, north cascades, stein valley south portion. maybe it's just dumb luck for me to never encounter aggresive bears but i can't rely on that. the best deterrent for me is just to make myself known on the trail. i usually make a lot of noise in dense, bushy areas or close to rivers or creeks that drown out audible noise. the last thing i want is to spook a bear. |
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n van, bc
Canada
830 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2008 : 6:40 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by dvespiritu
for the present time i stopped carrying one because i have never had to pull the trigger even when i encountered bears on my trips. is there a place besides alaska that we must carry one? i would like to know just in case i venture out out of my usual haunts. the places i've never carried one are the wct, wonderland trail in mt. ranier, chilliwack area, maple ridge area, manning park, north cascades, stein valley south portion. maybe it's just dumb luck for me to never encounter aggresive bears but i can't rely on that. the best deterrent for me is just to make myself known on the trail. i usually make a lot of noise in dense, bushy areas or close to rivers or creeks that drown out audible noise. the last thing i want is to spook a bear.
Well there are places that make you travel in packs, but I don't think a bear deterrent other than numbers is mandatory? |
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1078 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2008 : 6:55 PM
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You know....I've been thinking about bears for a while.
When I first starting going to the Rockies, I was more worried about bears and bought spray...MAINLY because everyone seems so worried about bears there. Then I was surprised to see many of the long time hikers have even seen a bear there!
Anyways, I stopped taking spray anywhere because my whole life, I have never worried about bears here in BC and I've encountered them many, many times. I've been close, far, even surprised a mom and 2 cubs once. In any case, I never ever worry about it.
Now that's not to say I think they're harmless! You are DONE if they are so inclined. It's just that...I doubt many are ever inclined. Yes, it happens, but I guess I just think the odds are low and the danger overrated.
Does anybody else feel this way? I do wonder if Rockies bears are more dangerous being so tourist conditioned. Still, I can't help think people are too paranoid about this and know other old school back-country people who feel the same. I actually know people who carry spray while running in wooded areas INSIDE the city(Kelowna) because once in a while a bear ventures in. Others a bit outside the city have bears in their backyard every day and think nothing of it. |
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Fleece thong wearin, Buntzen Lurkin, mystic poet mountain man and international spokesman of the friends of the white squirrel society
Port Moody, B.C.
Canada
5897 Posts |
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vancouver, bc
Canada
39 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2008 : 7:52 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hiker
Every spring this comes up. What a load of crap.
My money is going for a new toy for my pack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ebtj1jR7c
i hope they come out with a titanium version. it would compliment my ultralite pack. |
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372 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 12:05 PM
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| had a close call with large grizzly in Montana's Glacier National Park two years ago. I felt a lot better when park ranger appeared with two guns.... |
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Langley, BC
Canada
1078 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 1:49 PM
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| It should be "users of spray more effective than users of guns." Otherwise you're leaving out the most important factor of all. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1461 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 2:24 PM
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ClubTreadClubBear
Aggressive bear attacks happen fast. Unless you're really quiet and corner a bear, startling it isn't that big a deal IMO. A gun powerful enough to stop a bear is big and heavy. Pepper spray is small, light and easy to have ready at hand. For hiking there's no contest; just don't spray yourself (I know 2 people that accidentally sprayed themselves). A knife is useless.
Protecting yourself in a remote cabin especially in polar bear territory is another story. |
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Port Moody, BC
Canada
733 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 3:22 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by hafilax
A knife is useless.
The consensus on CT is that a BFK is quite effective against a charging bear. Admitting that you would be unwilling to fight a bear with a knife is an obvious sign of weakness. I'm not sure who made these rules, but they are established CT policy.
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1009 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 3:41 PM
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quote:
Admitting that you would be unwilling to fight a bear with a knife is an obvious sign of weakness.
hahahhahhahha love it!!! |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1461 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 4:44 PM
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| I wish I could find a youtube clip of Troy Hurtubise talking about his knife and "the old man". That soliloquy is priceless. |
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prince george/robson valley, bc
Canada
117 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 6:15 PM
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quote:
Admitting that you would be unwilling to fight a bear with a knife is an obvious sign of weakness. I'm not sure who made these rules, but they are established CT policy.
larf!
dax, you kill me... |
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Hope, BC
Canada
7093 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 7:27 PM
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| Id prefer to fight off a bear with my Bear Knife, rather than my Bear Hands |
Edited by - AcesHigh on 03/27/2008 7:27 PM |
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Salmon Arm, BC
Canada
894 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2008 : 3:39 PM
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quote from the article:
quote:
There were no reports of the spray malfunctioning.
Last fall my family and I were practicing with several expired canisters, and one old can malfunctioned. Instead of shooting out the nozzle, it shot straight up and out from the trigger. Fortunately my wife instantly threw it aside, avoiding a blast right in the face. She only got a "minor irritation."
Moral: don't trust old canisters! |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
213 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2008 : 03:47 AM
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| bear bangers are lighter than bear spray. they are fun to let off. they also double as flare launchers. you can also use the flares to light fires if necessary. i think its a better, more versatile option than spray -- especially if you're trying to keep your packweight low. |
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Study says bear spray more effective than guns
