Bear spray

savagelh

savagelh

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I guess I'm in the minority these days since I would like to buy some bear spray for actual bear encounters. I haven't had any close calls with bears yet but I do spend quite a bit of time in the fall hunting where there is a heavy bear presence. I recently picked up a mystery ranch holster to either wear on my pack belt or possibly on my bino harness if I figure out a way to rig it. My question is where is the best place to purchase bear spray and what is the best brand to get? I've heard about dfence aerosols on wold tv but is there better options? Also does anyone have experience with shelf life and losing potency or is that just a gimmick to make you buy more. Thanks for any advice
 
I do believe they all have an expiry date on the cans.
So, best bet is not buy online so as to be in charge of the freshest can you can find.
If your concerned that is a gimmick (expiry date) then consider this "How much is your life worth ?)
Is $25.00 every couple years affordable ??
Rob
 
FLHTCUI said:
I do believe they all have an expiry date on the cans.
So, best bet is not buy online so as to be in charge of the freshest can you can find.
If your concerned that is a gimmick (expiry date) then consider this "How much is your life worth ?)
Is $25.00 every couple years affordable ??
Rob
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This in a nutshell, my eldest son works on a site where he is the go to person for bear control, he has used it numerous times and swears by it. Like any form of pepper it becomes less potent as time goes on, just check the spices you use, as they age they degrade. Could I swear that it degrades like spices, no, but why take the chance with your safety. The expiry date is quite probably advanced just as a safety measure. By the way FLHTCUI, where do you get it for $25, the cheapest I can find in the Edmonton area is close to $50. Have a great day.
 
Put it where it's going to be accessible now.
Buy locally because online will clear out old stock first.
I normally buy Frontiersman 325 gm cans. Mine expired in 2017 but
I figure it's still a good deterrent . Switching them out this year though.
I have it on my belt or the quad even splitting wood in the yard.
No matter what you do you are still a statistic, but you can choose the column you're in.
 
Is $25.00 every couple years affordable ??

I'd rather spend the 45. for a big can. Like toilet paper, you don't want to run short. :) Always wondered, does it help to shake the can before use ?

Grizz
 
Titan 08 said:
This in a nutshell, my eldest son works on a site where he is the go to person for bear control, he has used it numerous times and swears by it. Like any form of pepper it becomes less potent as time goes on, just check the spices you use, as they age they degrade. Could I swear that it degrades like spices, no, but why take the chance with your safety. The expiry date is quite probably advanced just as a safety measure. By the way FLHTCUI, where do you get it for $25, the cheapest I can find in the Edmonton area is close to $50. Have a great day.
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Hi Titan08, I dont get it for $25.00 a tin... I was spit balling to make a point/opinion.
Buy the best/biggest one can afford, cause it is ones personal health they are concerned about and buying a cheap can has its draw backs.
There is a requirement in manufacturing to ensure the quality of the product to last a period of time when kept in perfct conditions and we as consumers have to trust the product is stored in the best conditions ....we risk a lot in our trust.
Just my opinion.
Rob
 
I bought a can before camping in Algonquin a few years ago, summer 2017, IIRC it expires this winter, bought at Bass Pro. Rigging it up to a molle or equivalent pack belt is easy, but keeping it on you once you put the bag down for the night is important too.

I wouldn't throw away an expired can, but like any pressurized can it will lose pressure over time. I'll probably practice with it this summer.

Be aware of winds and general weather. But wind especially as it can redirect spray back on you.
 
I know nothing about the expiry date but often wondered if it were a gimmick. I started carrying it many years ago and when a can expires I carry it along with the new one in the holster. Before long I will encounter a fly fisher or berry picker some where they really shouldn't be without spray. I explain to them that the can is expired but may be much better than nothing. It is amazing how quickly they accept the offer in spite of not making the purchase themselves. Hopefully they get in the habit and buy a fresh can.

IMO your chances or surviving a Grizzly attack are right between slim and none irregardless of how prepared one thinks they are. I carry mine for the predatory or curious Black Bear that actually present the greatest avoidable risk. There is video on line of people being followed for miles as well as Cougar attacks where you might get a chance to defend yourself with the spray.

Anyway, the reason for my post is that as an avid firearms user I didn't think that operating an aerosol can was rocket science. You just point it at the bears head and pull the trigger right? Well that is completely wrong and I would have just wasted a good can of spray before my mauling. Any spray that does not hit the actual eyes and snout is basically useless. If you aim for the head and the bear is moving towards you, you will at best hit the top of his head and back. Because the spray is affected by the air resistance, you can not recover and get ahead of him. You need to point the spray between you and bear and have him run into it. If contact is imminent, a person should start the spray stream very close to your feet and work out towards the bear. These cans are only good for a couple meters and a few seconds so use short bursts at close range. There are videos on line that are worth a look if you are new to using spray.
 
I can't believe anyone (let alone a firearms owner) wound think they would be effective using bear spray if they have never practiced with it.

Use the expired can to practice.
 
stampede said:
I can't believe anyone (let alone a firearms owner) wound think they would be effective using bear spray if they have never practiced with it.

Use the expired can to practice.
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I would bet money that over 90% of the people carrying spray have never and will never discharge it. I would also wager that the majority of hikers and campers are either carrying expired spray or will be. Most people are not going to go out and just blast off 50 dollars and if they do, they will have probably forgotten what they learned by the time they encounter a bear, if they ever do. A newbee to bear spray would have to spend $100 for 6 to 8 seconds of practice. I can hardly convince the young fellows to buy one can let alone an extra for practice.

The same thing could be said for fire extinguishers. It is far better to at least watch some refresher videos rather than let on you are doing a bunch of practicing.
 
stampede said:
I can't believe anyone (let alone a firearms owner) wound think they would be effective using bear spray if they have never practiced with it.

Use the expired can to practice.
Click to expand...

Excellent point. Pick a good place, set up a scenario and try a few short bursts to practice and get the feel.
Finish off you scenario using the remainder of the can as if it were a live or die situation. Add a bit of tension to the situation having someone pounding on your shoulder to do something!

Expiry date can be pushed a bit my shaking up your container occasionally.
Expiry dates are often published so the production schedule can be maintained but replacement and practice is good advice.
 
i truly don't believe in the expiry dates and push it a few years with no concern. Letting them freeze will harm them more via losing the pressure. But a sealed container won't in my mind lose its potency. Spices do because they are exposed to air. Put spices in a vacuum or pressurized container and they will be fine.

that being said, we all have to take risk that are acceptable to us. If you believe expiry dates on prescriptions and sunscreen, then buy new spray. And please send me your old sunscreen That stuff is getting expensive too.
 
MK2750 said:
I know nothing about the expiry date but often wondered if it were a gimmick. I started carrying it many years ago and when a can expires I carry it along with the new one in the holster. Before long I will encounter a fly fisher or berry picker some where they really shouldn't be without spray. I explain to them that the can is expired but may be much better than nothing. It is amazing how quickly they accept the offer in spite of not making the purchase themselves. Hopefully they get in the habit and buy a fresh can.

IMO your chances or surviving a Grizzly attack are right between slim and none irregardless of how prepared one thinks they are. I carry mine for the predatory or curious Black Bear that actually present the greatest avoidable risk. There is video on line of people being followed for miles as well as Cougar attacks where you might get a chance to defend yourself with the spray.

Anyway, the reason for my post is that as an avid firearms user I didn't think that operating an aerosol can was rocket science. You just point it at the bears head and pull the trigger right? Well that is completely wrong and I would have just wasted a good can of spray before my mauling. Any spray that does not hit the actual eyes and snout is basically useless. If you aim for the head and the bear is moving towards you, you will at best hit the top of his head and back. Because the spray is affected by the air resistance, you can not recover and get ahead of him. You need to point the spray between you and bear and have him run into it. If contact is imminent, a person should start the spray stream very close to your feet and work out towards the bear. These cans are only good for a couple meters and a few seconds so use short bursts at close range. There are videos on line that are worth a look if you are new to using spray.
Click to expand...

That's why the local Bear Smart group has a fake bear charging on a rail for practice. :) Firearm shooting at a charging bear is tricky business as well. We've had a couple of cases around here of victims found with a fired gun near by.

Grizz
 
I carry the "extra strength" Bear Spray it costs extra so its 49.99 at Cabellas. They actually take a copy of your DL when you buy it. Carry it when out on the ATV. Also carry a rifle but think id rather spray the bear if I have the option. Lets face it if a bear is charging you, you are gonna use what ever is in your hand and that is if you even see it coming.
 
MK2750 said:
I would bet money that over 90% of the people carrying spray have never and will never discharge it. I would also wager that the majority of hikers and campers are either carrying expired spray or will be. Most people are not going to go out and just blast off 50 dollars and if they do, they will have probably forgotten what they learned by the time they encounter a bear, if they ever do. A newbee to bear spray would have to spend $100 for 6 to 8 seconds of practice. I can hardly convince the young fellows to buy one can let alone an extra for practice.

The same thing could be said for fire extinguishers. It is far better to at least watch some refresher videos rather than let on you are doing a bunch of practicing.
Click to expand...

Use expired or soon to expire stuff.
 
I buy two cans every year for myself and my wife and we carry on the right hip in a holster . We use expired ones for practice . When bear spray first became available i purchased a couple of cans and went to a dump/landfill and gassed two black bears at close range to see if it worked . That was many years ago . I've had two expired cans leak out and one explode from heat . I test spray every new can and a few years ago had the triggers fall off two cans on the test shot . I returned them to the retailer and he swapped them for a different manufacturer and ceased ordering from the manufacturer with defective triggers . On those two cans i never got a test shot off as the triggers popped out as i pressed them so had i been in the bush and actually needed them ... that's why every new can gets a one second test shot .
 
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