Bear spray experiences, had an interesting one last night.

Ardent

Ardent

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Northern BC, Coastal BC, or Africa. Depends on the
Normally, I'm one of the first to advocate spray instead of using a gun. From the comfort of my truck window last night I heavily sprayed a particularly good sized black boar at less than five yards- result was huffing and he rubbed his eyes with a paw, he moved a couple yards back and was not happy. His behavior prior was non-aggressive but curious (initially, I was outside the truck), and yelling didn't phase him. He would definitely be human conditioned, met him just after fishing a well travelled stretch of the North Thompson, and without being in reach of the truck would not have been a lot of fun. My wife watched and immediately said after, "That was creepy, any time I'm out with the kids I want a gun."

A complete non-event as we had the truck, but there were others on the river who were yet to come up and disuading the highly confident bear from staying seemed a kind act. Work pays for my spray anyhow. This said, this is the second bear I've sprayed in the last couple years and both occasions were not convincing. I was concerned last time I hadn't solidly connected, this guy got hosed, and same response.
 
we all know what bear are for bear seasoning not the first time I said it ....

everybody else trying to sell to me at least is nuts.

good report at least nothing happened but even if now a lady is asking for a gun where are we heading lol .....
 
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Bear spray is better than nothing, for sure. But a gun is better than bear spray. I would take bear scares/bear bangers (whatever you wanna call 'em) over spray.

I have been hit with bear spray from some punk kids trying to rob me and a friend walking to a house party on New Years 6 years ago. And I can tell you it sucked A$$. Completely ruined my whole night cause that #### burns for hours. That being said, I can see how a bear might not be too phased by it, especially if you are close to their cubs or something. Why do you think the police dont use pepper spray that much? Its not all that effective on many targets, especially those already in a rage.
 
Unfortunately Bear Spray is all i can legally carry in the places the GF and I hike, this is an interesting story. Just makes me wish i could carry my KSG. I can't believe he came up within 5 yards of you.
 
I've had the same non response firing guns in the air or in the dirt near a bear. I have also thrown stuff like a 5 gallon bucket at some and one didn't move off very far or fast. Not much phases them some times. It's Like dealing with a stray dog, you just never know what the reaction is going to be.
 
I pity the next person going to raise a can of spray to this particular bear.
He'll now what's coming and could be quicker than the spray.
 
Been with a party that had to employ bear spray. From what I have seen, the bears don't run away. It just makes sure they don't see or smell where you ran away to after it got sprayed! I think that's all it is good for. Gives you some time to evacuate the situation and put some distance between the bear and you. Worked well from what I saw. Bear buried his head in the dirt and rolled around a lot, wheezing and huffing etc. For hiking, I prefer spray. lighter and faster for me to employ. I might reconsider if I was allowed to carry a G20 or something.....
 
I'm not very articulate when it comes to posting on chat boards so please bear (pun intended) with me.

I've developed a theory.

I've seen a few people pepper sprayed, including myself. I've also seen a couple bears sprayed.

I don't think it works on everybody/thing. I'm not sure why but it seems to me that some are immune to the effects of the pain pepper. I'm not one of the lucky ones and I can attest to the horrible effects of whatever's in that stuff.

Getting sprayed with anything, including water, can be unpleasant.

In the end, I think bear spray is better than the proverbial sharp stick... I'd still rather a 12 gauge with my slugs of choice (brenneke).
 
I have been "pepper sprayed" OC spray or what ever you want to call it. It didn't send me running away. I couldn't see sh*t but I still tried to fight the fight. It gave the little a- hole who sprayed me a good head start though. So I can see a bear not running away after being sprayed I kind if makes you want to curl up in ball and scream like a little girl though.
 
Hmm, I had been considering some adding spray to my backwoods travels, bears are definitely on an upswing here. I was tripping over them last year. The change in attitude to angry is a bit unsettling, i can see that though, when I get hurt, instant anger is my response.

I had a young bear walk up to less then 10 feet from me last fall, KSG and slugs was very comforting sounds like spray falls a distant second on the comfort scale.
 
I have never had a bad or indifferent encounter with a bear. I generally give them their distance if I see them first. That being said there is always that one chance that one is up close and personal before you know it. In that case I'd rather have a shotgun with slugs than bear spray.
A company I worked for in North Bay, Ont. a few years back had the contract to look after the city landfill. Of course bears were an everyday occurrence. When they decided to not keep their distance until the dump was closed and wandered in while workers or people were present and would not leave by being chased with noise makers or some such else then the results were usually the loader man scooping up a carcass in his bucket and burying it in the dump.
The North Thompson River you say? Hmmm, went through along Hwy 5 this year at Xmas for the first time. BEAUTIFUL country and beautiful river!! Catch anything?:wave:
 
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Superbrad said:
One thing that never seems to come through on this forum... why not carry both?... if bear keeps coming use plan b.... but always have a gun...
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