Posted on 07/10/2024 4:58:00 AM PDT by marktwain
In 2008, bear spray received a large boost with the publication of the paper on the “Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray” by Smith and Herrero. The paper considered 83 incidents, of which 72 incidents were scored for effect where bears were sprayed. The eleven other incidents did not involve bears being sprayed. The authors judged bear spray to be 92% effective. 25(35%) of the scored incidents involved aggressive bears. 10 of the aggressive bears charged (14% of the incidents). 21(29%) of the 72 incidents involved park personnel targeting bears. The percentage of aggressive bears that were deterred was not mentioned. While 92% seems high, the authors were not content. They created a sound bite, which was intensely magnified by the media. From the Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska:
Although bear spray was 92% effective by our definition of success, it is important to note that 98% of persons carrying it were uninjured after a close encounter with bears.
Consider the above statement. The sentence separates carrying bear spray from using bear spray. 175 people were reported as “carrying bear spray.” Only 71 bears were sprayed. How many bears were sprayed by multiple people was not reported. The vast majority of close encounters with bears do not result in humans being injured, whether they are unarmed or carry firearms or bear spray. No one seriously suggests more than 1 or 2 percent of close encounters with bears involve injury to a human. The number is likely much less than 1 percent. Many articles about bear spray jumped to the claim bear spray was 98% effective in deterring bears.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
They did a good job, overall.
There are Elmer Fudds every where.
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