Bear biologists and outdoor educators encourage people recreating in Montana’s bear country to carry and know how to use bear pepper spray in emergencies.
In most cases, bears in the wild will attempt to avoid a person or group of people. When bears see people they will generally tend to move off as long as they aren’t surprised, harassed or threatened.
But in the rare case of a conflict, bear pepper spray, a high-pressure extract of about two percent capsaicin, the chemical that makes peppers hot, and other related capsaicinoids, can get the job done. Recent incidents show bear pepper spray to be more effective than a bullet in diverting or stopping a charging bear, according to the Center For Wildlife Information in Missoula.
If you’ve never used it before, carrying around a product capable of turning a grizzly bear at 25 feet may be intimidating. Be sure to take the time to research the product and to prepare yourself to use it.
One way to begin is to check out the different brands available on the Internet or at your local sporting goods store. Many manufacturers offer helpful product comparisons and detailed user instructions on their Internet web sites. Be especially careful to confirm that you are looking at products registered with the EPA and that are intended specifically for use on bears.
Features to assess when selecting a manufacturer include:
Manufacturers generally recommend practicing the steps necessary to use bear pepper spray including arming the container, spraying and then restoring the safety clip to disarm the container.
Bear pepper spray is useless in a backpack. It needs to be carried in a hip or chest holster, ready for immediate use.
First time users will also want to take a test spray or two. Because the spray is so forceful, it may require some practice to control it, especially if there is any wind.
The down side is that every test spray reduces the canister’s effective spray time. It is important to track the time remaining on a canister carefully.
Some experts recommend carrying more than one can of bear pepper spray to ensure you always have the additional spray time you might need if it takes more than one burst to stop a bear, or if you encounter more than one bear.
The most intense effects of bear pepper spray may last 30-45 minutes. It is potent enough to cause extreme discomfort and damage to the eyes if it is accidentally released at close range. Flushing the affected skin with water can help, but expect to be uncomfortable for awhile.
Do not plan to transport bear pepper spray on commercial airlines, but you can identify suppliers on the Internet in the area where you plan to recreate. Also be aware that extreme heat or cold may affect the performance of the product. Canisters have been known to explode if left in a vehicle in summer. Each canister also has an expiration date.
One of the most common mistakes new users make is to apply the bear pepper spray to their camping gear, tents and backpacks to repel bears. It doesn’t. Some preliminary research suggests it may actually attract bears.
Bear pepper spray can be intimidating for the first time user, but please don’t let that stand in the way of protecting yourself and helping to keep Montana’s bears wild.
Learn more about bear pepper spray and why the experts recommend you carry it the next time you decide to recreate in bear country.
