bear spray?

Tater Head

Tater Head

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Joined
Jan 29, 2014
Messages
236
I have been wanting to get to Union Falls (YNP) for a couple of years now and have decided that if all the time I have is a weekend that's what I will do. With that said I was wondering what kind of bear spray I should buy or what you folks might prefer? Thanks for any input...
 
We have always used UDAP. I really don't think it makes much difference with respect to brand. And while you should pay attention to the expiration date, I think those are more to protect the manufacturer from liability than anything else. Most still work just fine even several years past the expiration date but is that something you want to bet your life on?
 
x2 on Counter Assault because that is what is pretty much the main available brand in SLC. x2 on the expiration date too. Actually I am not sure what the expiration time is but I try and donate mine to self or newbie training after it gets 3 or 4 years old. I can't imagine the pain of the chemical subsides from age but maybe the pressure does so John is right. Why risk it? After the three or four we have fired off for training I have not seen what I would call a dud in any way.
 
UDAP....
Expire dates ?? I test sprayed a can that was 10 years over and it was fine. I usually carry a current date can and a old can. Current can is frontline.
 
Now for the age old question does size matter?;) (9 ounce vs. 12ounce) Are the smaller cans easier to carry, is the weight that much differnt? Should I get the biggest one I can find. Is the difference between the two negligible?
 
Bigger is always better. Based on experience you still only get 7-12 seconds of spray out of the big ones. Enough for a second shot :) That is the range of spray times I remember anyway. I only buy the big ones. It is bigger and heavier but like John says.....
 
Maybe I'm over thinking it. I will get it picked up tomorrow. Thanks for the help...
 
If you are soloing get two, like @Joey. He always packs two and then acts like Quicksdraw McGraw. :twothumbs: Oh yeah, the holsters work pretty good on your pack belt.
 
I've thought that when hiking in territory that only has black bears, It probably wasn't worth it to carry bear spray, as they tend to be more naturally fearful of humans, or at least less aggressive when in close range. However, after just stumbling upon this video of a black bear coming right up to a couple of hikers and showing little to no fear of them, I may have to reconsider. You never know when a newly habituated bear will pop out at you, especially in areas that receive a lot of use. My guess is that was the case here where the bear in this video was probably previously fed by some other people and the bear clearly became habituated.

Warning: There is quite a bit of language at the very end.
 
Aldaron said:
Not always:

http://www.chattanoogan.com/2006/4/13/83765/Chilhowee-Bear-Attack-Kills-Child.aspx

But I agree that I can scare off most eastern black bears. Every one I've ever seen looked more like a small dog than a bear. That bear was only 200 pounds, but that means it had over 50 pounds on me.
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there was a young man in nj earlier this year that was killed by a black bear. he made two fatal mistakes, he was with a group of hikers, they split up and ran from the bear. you never ever run from a bear. it triggers an instinctive predatory chase. if you encounter a bear, make yourself as large as possible, make a lot of noise,avoid eye contact, back away slowly. ive had dozens of encounters with eastern black bears, 99% of th etime you will run them off.
 
hikerboy said:
there was a young man in nj earlier this year that was killed by a black bear.
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That group of hikers and the victim were students at the University I work at (Rutgers). Very sad indeed.

I have a question... Has anyone on here ever had to deploy bear spray in a live encounter before? Just curious.
 
A couple years ago I had a wolf run right past me. By the time I got my spray out of my holster he would have been all over me. He just kept running past. Plus I never heard of a wolf attacking anyone. But still kinda gets your heart going. My hiking pace increased a little after that!

I was thinking they should make a bear spray trekking pole. Finger could be right by the trigger and ready to deploy in seconds.
 
Opi said:
A couple years ago I had a wolf run right past me. By the time I got my spray out of my holster he would have been all over me. He just kept running past. Plus I never heard of a wolf attacking anyone. But still kinda gets your heart going. My hiking pace increased a little after that!

I was thinking they should make a bear spray trekking pole. Finger could be right by the trigger and ready to deploy in seconds.
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At one point I had a small little airhorn taped to one of my poles. My thinking was, if it were to continue charging me with that thing sounding off in its ear, then maybe if deserves me for a meal.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
 
Carrying bear spray is a must in areas...accessibility and PRACTICE drawing it are a must..... I have an airhorn, but its only by me in the tent. Hiking I'd go for the spray in my hand not the horn......
 
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