[JohnnyRockets]

I forget the exact words, but I heard someone say something about a weapon being the best thing since bear mace. Is bear mace just used for bears, or is it some mega-dose that can be used on animals, people etc.?

[tellner]

The only mace I'd use on bears is this one (http://www.museumreplicas.com/webstore/eCat/swords_and_knive/historical/axes_hammers_and_maces/bar_mace.aspx).

[Highland Ranger]

http://www.udap.com/

(not that I'd recommend it. mark me down for 6 - 44 mag)

[Sharpdogs]

I was told by a wildlife officer that pepper spray will attract bears. They sprayed in on the ground and the bears scratched at the dirt and tried to eat it. She strongly recommend against carrying any bear spray or pepper spray. Her recommendation was awarness, loud noises, knowledge about bears and a firearm. This was from a black bear seminar in NJ. On a side note she stated that you are more likely to win the lottery than get attacked by a bear. The greater danger is lyme disease.

[BUZ]

UDAP.com Good stuff!

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bear+spray&search=Search

[JohnnyRockets]

So, are you guys saying that you live in, or camp in the wilderness where you might encounter bears, or are you guys thinking that you would use bear mace on a human?

[pdowg881]

every once in awhile we get black bears coming into our garages and stuff around the neighborhood.

[Shovelhead]

MONTANA GRIZZLY BEAR NOTICE:
In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear conflicts, the Montana Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters, and fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert for bears while in the field.

We advise that outdoorsmen wear noisy little bells on their clothing so as not to startle bears that aren't expecting them. We also advise outdoorsmen to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear. It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear poop. Black bear poop contains lots of berries and squirrel fur.
Grizzly bear poop has little bells in it and smells like pepper.

[JohnnyRockets]

I've seen a black bear cub in the wild. Are Grizzly bears much more dangerous then a black bear?

[SniperStraz]

...and much more dangerous!
I wouldn't rely on pepper spray for humans. So all the more so I wouldn't rely on it for a griz attack.

[jashobeam]

I was told by a wildlife officer that pepper spray will attract bears. They sprayed in on the ground and the bears scratched at the dirt and tried to eat it.
You aren't supposed to spray it all over yourself. Bear/pepper spray cannot attract bears if its contents remain inside the can. From what I've read bear spray works quite well, especially if the bear is inhaling when it gets sprayed. The target is the bear's mouth/nose, and to a lesser extent the eyes.

She strongly recommend against carrying any bear spray or pepper spray. Her recommendation was awarness, loud noises, knowledge about bears and a firearm. This was from a black bear seminar in NJ. On a side note she stated that you are more likely to win the lottery than get attacked by a bear. The greater danger is lyme disease.
Despite the improbable odds of being attacked by a bear, the possibility of being mauled is nothing to shrug off. Firearms aren't allowed in National Parks, so one's only option for a weapon is pepper spray. It has its drawbacks, for sure, like having to wait until the bear is very close. As far as firearms go, many people have been mauled and killed after shooting a charging grizzly. Shooting a bear and stopping its charge/attack are not the same. A fatally wounded bear can and will easily maul a man before it finally dies. A grizzly bear with its heart blown in two can sprint 100 yds and tear the shooter to pieces. OR, a successfully discharged blast of bear spray could stop and deter an angry bear without fatally wounding him. Ideally, I would opt for both bear spray and a firearm.

BTW, black bears have a higher rate of predation on humans than do grizzly bears. Though the number of grizzly/brown bear attacks outnumber those of black bears, the percentage of black bear attack attributed to predation is higher. In other words, if you are being attacked by a black bear chances are that it wants to eat you. It isn't defending its territory. You didn't surprise it. It isn't a sow defending her cubs. It was probably stalking you or your group, selected a victim, then attacked.

[____hoot____]

More likely to get a false charge from a griz, in wilderness situations blacks are more likely to go for the kill. Griz don't often eat humans for some reason and will most often leave after batting them down, blacks will most always complete the attack and feed on the kill if they attack in the first place. Good thing to have hunting pressure on blacks to keep them afraid of us as the damned things are very strong and fast and kill an average of four deer apiece a year here in Michigan. When I lived in Alaska most of the humans killed were killed by blacks and polars and fed on.

[BUZ]

http://www.udap.com/images/video/MarksStory.wmv

http://www.udap.com/testify.htm



http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/backcountrytripplanner.htm
http://mms.nps.gov/yell/videos/bearpepperspray/bearpepperspray_256.wmv

[SniperStraz]

Firearms aren't allowed in National Parks
I was under the impression that firearms were frowned upon but legal so long as it is not concealed and is seperate from ammo.

[tellner]

Or you could get a cat (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5067912.stm)

[SniperStraz]

May need some pepper spray for the cat!

[gunsmith]

I was under the impression that firearms were frowned upon but legal so long as it is not concealed and is seperate from ammo.

You may be confusing Nat Park with Nat Forest.

Laws are different for each state.

In CA you can not carry in Yosemite NP but in the NF right outside you can:barf:

[gunsmith]

I was told by a cop that "you cant use it on people" but I have, it works much better then those little cans.:evil:
http://www.securityandsafetysupply.com/product-self-defense/bear-spray.htm



http://www.securityandsafetysupply.com/media/self_defense_images/bear_pepper_spray_2.jpg

[Highland Ranger]

Lime disease is always a danger.

But I'd like to see the math on the lottery statement.

Bottom line, don't go walking around defenseless in bear country unless you want to be dinner.

And yes I have one of those pepper spray cans that shoots 25 feet as pictured above.

(And a S&W 329pd)

[bad LT]

I was under the impression that firearms were frowned upon but legal so long as it is not concealed and is seperate from ammo.

I would much rather defend myself with one or two cans of pepper spray than with an unloaded gun seperate from the ammo. Don't rely on an unloaded gun for defense against unexpected attacks from bears:what:

[Fn-P9]

I know this detracts from the main thread, but what is the thinking or reason for not allowing guns in national parks? Is it they dont want people hunting on that land so they figure no guns means no hunting? So why cant I carry a concealed weapon? For all intents vs bears why cant I carry my shotgun with 000 shot? The whole law on that seems rediculous. :cuss: :cuss: :cuss:

[gunsmith]

fedgov.com orders

[eidsvolling]

BOT:

This guy knows from bear spray: Bear Pepper Spray: Research and Information (http://www.absc.usgs.gov/research/brownbears/pepperspray/pepperspray.htm), by Tom S. Smith, Ph.D., U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center - Biological Science Office.

[zinj]

I actually read this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Attacks-Causes-Avoidance-revised/dp/158574557X/sr=8-1/qid=1167709436/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-1408290-0817747?ie=UTF8&s=books

this summer. Excellent read, written in a real scientific manner with no coddling or anthropomorphism, just cold hard facts.

Anyway, if you can only bring one item you better bring the bear spray. For the most part pistols are ineffective at stopping bears, you need a high caliber rifle or a shotgun loaded with slugs (no buckshot!), along with the training to use it. You are getting two or three shots at best.

It may not sound as cool bringing bear spray instead of the .44 Magnum, but you are more likely to get out in one piece bringing the spray.

[eidsvolling]

Yep, Stephen Herrero is the go-to guy on the subject of bear attacks on humans. I've been recommending his book since the first edition was published.

[Waywatcher]

It may not sound as cool bringing bear spray instead of the .44 Magnum, but you are more likely to get out in one piece bringing the spray.

Against only bears I'm sure you're right. But the beauty of a gun is it's versatility. It will work on bears, humans, etc and with a greater effective range.