The bears can share the outdoors with people. This story is light on details but bear spray is considered the best defense against bear.
I’ve camped many times in bear country and slept in a tent. I kept bear spray with me at all times and fortunately had no problems…knock on wood. Most of the time it is OK but you have to be intelligent about it. Don’t leave food out, carry bear spray, stay away from bear as much as possible, etc.
Also, there are plenty of great outdoor places you can go that don’t have bear. Not saying they’re risk free, almost nowhere is risk free. But there are “safer” parks, etc. (not “safe”, just “safer”).
I would never want to be only stuck inside. There’s too much amazing to see outside.
Bear balls! That’s what my wife and I use (along with bear spray and a 10mm). Little jingly balls you hook into your backpack. Now just walking makes a continuous noise.
Most wild animals don’t want random interactions with strange noises. They will avoid as much as possible. Grizzlies and black bears don’t usually “hunt”. I’m unsure how effective it would be with polar bears or if it would draw them in. But your prep for going to an area with polar bears should be not going to the area with polar bears.
What’s the difference between black and brown bear poop?
spoiler
One has fruit stones in it, the other one contains bear bells.
Edit: it makes sense to make oneself heard, the worst thing that can happen is quietly walking around a corner and there’s a bear with two cubs close by.
Bear bells are a bit annoying and clapping or just talking to each other also works. Humans are not considered bait for bears and they will usually try to avoid you.
There are good books about avoiding bear attacks when in the backcountry.
Never. Ever. Spray bear spray around your camp. There’s been plenty of incidents where that’s what drew them in and got people hurt/killed. It’s like cooking around your tent, they have to investigate the smells.
I wouldn’t think you’d want to spray pepper spray anytime you’re not using it for defense. It usually blows around and there’s a good chance you’ll get some on yourself.
I would never have thought to ever do that. So if you ever do use it, you then need to leave the area. Which you probably want to do anyway because pepper spray is pretty unpleasant.
Never occurred to me either. I’ve packed in bear country plenty over the years, never used spray even though I’ve had 2 grizzly encounters and countless black bear run-ins. Just lucky, I guess.
It’s mace for bears. Usually much stronger than regular “mace”. Also the canister is designed to spray a longer distance (like 20 to 40 ft). Google some videos to see it in action.
It’s really strong pepper spray, you spray it between you and the bear, towards the ground approx 10m from you I think. They do come with instructions though, please read them before use.
See, stuff like this is why I stay inside. The bears can have the outdoors.
The bears can share the outdoors with people. This story is light on details but bear spray is considered the best defense against bear.
I’ve camped many times in bear country and slept in a tent. I kept bear spray with me at all times and fortunately had no problems…knock on wood. Most of the time it is OK but you have to be intelligent about it. Don’t leave food out, carry bear spray, stay away from bear as much as possible, etc.
Also, there are plenty of great outdoor places you can go that don’t have bear. Not saying they’re risk free, almost nowhere is risk free. But there are “safer” parks, etc. (not “safe”, just “safer”).
I would never want to be only stuck inside. There’s too much amazing to see outside.
Bear balls! That’s what my wife and I use (along with bear spray and a 10mm). Little jingly balls you hook into your backpack. Now just walking makes a continuous noise.
Do bears not like bells? Wouldn’t it draw them to you (like a dinner bell)?
Most wild animals don’t want random interactions with strange noises. They will avoid as much as possible. Grizzlies and black bears don’t usually “hunt”. I’m unsure how effective it would be with polar bears or if it would draw them in. But your prep for going to an area with polar bears should be not going to the area with polar bears.
Avoid polar bear. Just stay away: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_danger
What’s the difference between black and brown bear poop?
spoiler
One has fruit stones in it, the other one contains bear bells.
Edit: it makes sense to make oneself heard, the worst thing that can happen is quietly walking around a corner and there’s a bear with two cubs close by.
Bear bells are a bit annoying and clapping or just talking to each other also works. Humans are not considered bait for bears and they will usually try to avoid you.
There are good books about avoiding bear attacks when in the backcountry.
Yep. I call them bear bells but I have some of those too.
There’s a joke about them: https://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/92q4/bearbells.html
Do you spray it directly at the bear? Or is it a kind of repellent that you spray on yourself/your tent? ETA: Thanks for your answers!
Never. Ever. Spray bear spray around your camp. There’s been plenty of incidents where that’s what drew them in and got people hurt/killed. It’s like cooking around your tent, they have to investigate the smells.
Really? Got a link for info about that?
I wouldn’t think you’d want to spray pepper spray anytime you’re not using it for defense. It usually blows around and there’s a good chance you’ll get some on yourself.
I would only spray it if I had to.
Point #8
Thanks for the link.
I would never have thought to ever do that. So if you ever do use it, you then need to leave the area. Which you probably want to do anyway because pepper spray is pretty unpleasant.
Never occurred to me either. I’ve packed in bear country plenty over the years, never used spray even though I’ve had 2 grizzly encounters and countless black bear run-ins. Just lucky, I guess.
It’s mace for bears. Usually much stronger than regular “mace”. Also the canister is designed to spray a longer distance (like 20 to 40 ft). Google some videos to see it in action.
Great questions.
It is a pepper spray like “mace” that you spray at the bear. More info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_spray
ETA: This link (from ikidd below) has a great video on how to use bear spray: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/mtn/ours-bears/securite-safety/gaz-spray
It’s really strong pepper spray, you spray it between you and the bear, towards the ground approx 10m from you I think. They do come with instructions though, please read them before use.
Staying inside is no defence against bears.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT5LI21dY_4