Bear spray for hiking in woods

Mine probably needs updating too. Thanks

kshama2001 wrote: »

I've been seeing likely signs of coyotes lately and my first impression is COOL not FEAR.

Then you are far braver than me. When I see signs of coyotes and bears, my first is impression is not COOL... it's more like I'M F**KED...

They seem adverse to high velocity lead projectiles but I've never encountered a black bear in the woods that didn't take off as soon as it realized I was there. Coyotes are usually gone well before you know they're around. Of course both will attack if threatened or really, really hungry but I think your odds of being attacked are pretty slim if you're on a marked trail.

I think I would bring me a bear home to play with the kitty. good friends.

I bought some bear spray from a local outdoor recreation retail store. I kept it in my car while camping though the first few times. I seemed to have a picture in my head that I would spray myself, and end up looking like a preseasoned snack pack for the bears. :laugh: Are there some local retailers who specialize in this type of stuff where you can go check it out and ask questions?

We have tons of bears around here. I see one probably weekly when they are not hibernating. 98% of the time they run away when I see them. I called for a ride once because it seemed(I felt like) I was being stalked. I am not overly scared of the bears. Coyotes scare me though. They get nasty and brave in groups and have been stalking people and pets in MB in recent years. They are getting larger too as they seem to be breeding with Wolves occasionally.

So, just a reminder for everyone who hasn't ever actually used pepper spray before, you will inevitably experience some of whatever you spray, every time you spray it. Yeah, they make some super high strength bear spray, but having personally been in the general vicinity of regular pepper spray I stick to the less intense stuff. The last thing I want it a pissed off bear seeking vengeance when my eyes are watering so bad I can't see and I'm fighting to breathe at all because I wasn't lucky enough to have a strong wind coming from behind me. I highly recommend practicing using your spray once in a while so you are familiar with iy BEFORE an emergency--it really helps you realize how damn messy and inconvenient the stuff is.

markrgeary1 wrote: »

If you're in bear country don't forget to wear the bells.

Why bells?

I usually have music playing on my iPhone. And my dog comes along to make extra noise. The bells can annoy the crap outta me.

Anyone hear the joke about signage posted at the entrance of a hiking trail?

"These woods are home to both black bears and grizzley bears. Please take proper precautions by wearing bear bells and carrying pepper spray. You can see if bears are in the area by looking for their droppings. Black bear droppings smell like s*** and contain berries and seeds. Grizzly bear droppings smell like pepper and contain bells".

I am happy manitoba is home to the blackbear and not the grizzley.

If you're just in black bear country, carrying spray is overkill IMO. Same with Coyotes and Wolves (neither of them will attack a full grown human and Wolves will most likely never even let you see them). Here in Colorado, black bears almost universally run the second they see a human. I never carry bear spray here and have even been known to sleep with my food in the tent if the weather is bad or if there's not a convenient place to hang it. Never had a problem and I'm out almost every weekend.

Now Grizzly Bears are a different story. They won't attack on site but if you get too close, which can happen by accident in deep wooded areas, they can attack without warning. Bear spray is a good idea when you might encounter them. I always hike with it if I'm in Yellowstone or Glacier. Fortunately I've never had to use it, but I have encountered a Grizzly in Glacier while hiking and was glad to have it just in case.

Someone mentioned bear bells. In reality they're mostly just to make you feel better. The sound of a small bell doesn't carry far in the woods and it's not going to alert many bears to your approach. It's better to make noise with your voice. Singing and clapping or talking loudly is a better option. You also need to weigh your desire to see wildlife with your worry about running into bears. If you make too much noise, you'll be lucky to see much more than an occasional squirrel. I tend to be more quiet because I want to see animals, but other's mileage may vary on that....

A scoutmaster here in NJ got attacked by a bear last week. He was in his cave for an hour and 20 minutes before the bear left. The Bears here aren't as afraid of people anymore and end up in highly populated areas.

I carry a firearm when in secluded areas. I feel safer with a gun then pepper spray

thorsmom01 wrote: »

I carry a firearm always. I feel safer with a gun then pepper spray

FIFY

Carlos_421 wrote: »

thorsmom01 wrote: »

I carry a firearm always. I feel safer with a gun then pepper spray

FIFY

Thanks. ( its true )