A recent survey of hikers in Glacier National Park revealed that 35 of the 50 people interviewed who thought they were carrying bear spray actually had the wrong product.
Hunters may have the same false sense of securtiy. Grizzly bears can be found throughout western Montana. In recent years, grizzly bear populations have expanded and bears are returning to historic ranges.
Be aware that the act of hunting puts you at risk of encountering grizzly bears—carefully and quietly walking through brush and willows, elk bugling, game calls, and cover scents may attract bears.
"Carrying the wrong product can put you at risk when it doesn’t perform as needed during a confrontation with a bear," said Chuck Bartelbaugh of the Center for Wildlife Information. "Many people mistakenly purchase and carry personal defense or law enforcement pepper sprays designed for use against humans, not bears."
The EPA sets the content standards for bear spray and the product must be clearly labeled as bear spray for use as a bear deterrant. The EPA requires that the concentration of capsaicin and related capsaicinoids range between one and two percent. The minimum canister size the EPA will register is 7.9 ounces. There are a variety of products available, so it is important for consumers to comparison shop and do some research of their own on the proper use of bear spray.
"Making certain you have the right product is only half of the job," Bartelbaugh said. "The other half is using it correctly and with a reasonable idea of how it should perform."
Under no circumstances should bear spray create a false sense of security among hunters or serve as a substitute for standard safety precautions in bear country.
"It is really the hunter’s responsibility to know how to avoid conflicts with bears," said FWP’s Ron Aasheim in Helena. "When you’ve taken all of the neceassry precautions that come with hunting in grizzly bear country, but still have an unexpected encounter with a bear, then there is bear pepper spray."
Here ’s how to select and use bear pepper spray.
Minimum Spray Distance
- Bear spray generally will go out about 25 feet. If the user sprays a cloud of bear spray extending 25 feet out and the bear is charging from 40 to 50 feet out, the bear will generally meet the cloud of active bear spray ingredients at about 25 feet, experts say. By the time the bear feels the effects of the spray and diverts its charge it may have covered another 10 feet or more.
Survival Tip : Don’t wait until the bear is 25 feet away.. ( If you have the opportunity, shoot a cloud of bear spray as soon as it is evident that the bear is charging..
Minimum Duration Of Spray - Purchase a canister with about a six-second spray. A canister of bear spray should contain a minimum of 7.9 ounces Two to three seconds of spray will usually create an adequate cloud to accomodate most charging-bear behaviors.
Survival Tip: Some bears may charge and retreat and charge again, others may zig zag as they charge, or stop at the sound of the spray and the sight of the orange cloud. An additional two or three-second burst may be needed if the bear retreats and recharges.
Keep Bear Pepper Spray Canister Handy
- The can should be carried in a quickly accessible spot.
Survival Tip : Use a hip or chest holster, or keep it in your hand, as bear managers do, when walking through an area bears are known to inhabit.
Always report encounters with grizzly bears where the bear is aggressive or displays defensive behaviors toward people, livestock or pets by contacting FWP at 1-800-TIP-MONT, by calling the U.S. Forest Service, or by directly contacting a FWP bear management specialist nearest the area where the bear is seen:
- Mike Madel, Choteau, 406-466-5100
- Tim Manley, Kalispell, 406-892-0802
- Kevin Frey, Bozeman, 406-994-3553
- James Jonkel, Missoula, 406-542-5508
- Kim Annis, Libby, 406-291-1320
For more on recreating safely in bear country, visit FWP’s at
fwp.mt.gov. Click "Be Bear Aware." Hunters can also p ick up a copy of " How to Hunt Safely in Grizzly Country" brochure at any FWP office.
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