Posted on 07/05/2018 5:00:56 AM PDT by marktwain
Dave Smith has studied bear behavior and bear attacks extensively. He has written books on how to survive bear encounters and animal attacks. I have corresponded with Dave Smith. I find Dave to be the most knowledgeable, well read, and capable critic of the current literature. Dave has worked prodigiously to understand the studies about the effectiveness of bear spray and firearms in stopping bear attacks.
In November of 2017, Dave put a great deal of thought into an exchange of comments at a Wyoming public media site. I contacted Dave, and he agreed to allow me to edit and publish the exchange. I summarized the replies to Dave, as I do not have those authors permissions. You can read the entire exchange at wyoming public media.com. Here is the edited exchange, with my observations.
First, Dave sets the scene by stating that it is not really about bear spray vs. firearms. Dave says for a surprise attack, it is a choice. You should choose bear spray or a firearm.
Dave Smith:
Instead of pitting bear spray vs firearms, try bear spray or a firearm.
Archers have a choice between bear spray or a handgun.
As the recent incident with a game warden shows, people hunting with a long gun–a rifle or shotgun–must be prepared to use their firearm during a classic surprise encounter with a grizzly.
When field dressing game, a hunter has a choice between bear spray or a handgun.
Hunters should be advised that the 2 studies
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
Those promoting bear spray as more effective than firearms are more concerned with bears than people.
promoting bear spray as more effective than firearms are more concerned with bears than people. “”
And they will never admit that. I’ve been to Alaska fishing a dozen times. In groups of 4-5, one is always armed with a 12 gauge filled with 3 inch magnum slugs.
WASP spray works best if not armed with a firearm. Not a bear spray, wasp spray the type that shoots a 20 ft stream will blind the bear as well as a human
Walp, I know at least one that will suffer. The one who hasta do the shooting, for sure!
And mebbe even the bear! d;^)
Not for nothing....if I’m challenged by I bear...I want to be the winner.
In the exchange, there is a difference in priorities. Dave Smith states his is “reducing the number of hunters and hikers injured as a result of surprise encounters at close range with grizzly bears.”
The implied priority of commenters #1 and #2 is to keep grizzly bears safe and to increase the population of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
If you start with different priorities, you will often arrive at different conclusions.
Bear spray advocates have stated a high priority for them is to prevent bear deaths. If preventing bear deaths is a high priority, the promotion of bear spray over firearms makes perfect sense.
Really good article worth reading. In short, there are no unbiased/detailed studies about bear spray verses guns concerning grizzlies that attack at close range, or how the gun was carried verses a close encounter (under 100 feet).
The discussion at NPR was about "protecting" grizzlies in Yellowstone but only cited Alaskan studies. There are simply not the same number of folks wandering around cluelessly in the Alaskan bush as in Yellowstone NP.
A loud whistle is also a deterrent.
I’ve spent several of the last 7 years traveling down the Yukon by myself and am about to go again in August so this subject is very interesting to me. You might say its a matter of “life an death” that I could write a book on.
But, Google “Ken Cates Bear Attack”. There, u will read a story about a very experienced Alaska Woodsman that knew what he was doing relative to others in the woods. He died. Investigation showed he was 5 feet from his .270 rifle that was leaning against a tree while he ate some soup. Uh, Weingarten is right about the sling.
That was 2 mistakes. Caliber too small and he could not get to his gun quick enough....according to the investigation. At some point in the fight, he got some shots off but they did not prevent his death.
Sleeping alone on the Yukon River Bank each night, I have a loaded .50 Caliber S & W and warning trip lines around me. So far so good. I’m still alive after about 30 nights total on the river. During the day, I have the Remington 870 loaded with Magnum Triple Ought Buck...……...within reach at all times onshore.
So, bottom line, I agree with Weingarten. Also, in a breeze or wind, the spray can debilitate you too. So, Bear eats you!
As Timothy Treadwell said about bears “Can’t we all just get along”?
Bear spray is subject to windspeed and direction. It can blow back in your face. The shooter is there to protect the group. Why would he suffer?
Slings?
Could you explain, Please.
Over the shoulder rather than leaning against a tree.
I really don’t understand why some hunters don’t use slings. Maybe it’s my training...
Pepper spray or .454 Casul? Hmmmm!
Have ya ever shot a 12ga with 3" slugs? I've got an old 870 we named "Vince". As in Vince Wilfork. 'Cause shooting it feels like a hit from big Vince even with 2.75" slugs! Hehehe. d;^)
I have, but, in the heat of battle, I’ve never felt any of the pain.
Label on back of can: "It is a violation of Federal Law to...."
I always planned to put a .357 round in an eye socket or two. That should do it.
...with a nice hint of seasoning for flavor.
Slings serve 2 purposes: 1) the gun is with you and not proped up against something. 2) a sling, if used correctly, will give you better aim.
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