[Sundog]

Bear Pepper Spray Study

Ummm... you need to be careful how you use that pepper spray. It turns out some bears love the stuff, positively are attracted to it, will seek it out and roll in it to lick their fur to eat it, and enjoy chasing people with it to get it.

Well, I made up that part about chasing people but it turns out it is a taste they love once they are exposed to it. Seems only a direct shot up their nose when the can is held about a foot away is effective, otherwise, spray it on the ground and let the bear stop and roll in it while you try to get away.

[Cowgirl]

I recently read an article that said most bear attacks
are by male bears attacking people in areas that are
not hunted. A tent attack is not unusual. Bears hunt
at night and are able to smell someone in a tent, that’s
food to them. They usually eat their victim 10 percent
of the time. After killing someone they would ordinarily
come back later to eat them if they aren't hungry at the time. I live in Alaska and we are use to people being killed, wounded, and various horrible stories of heroism. I think it is the best policy to have a dog along. Not only do they distract the bear, but in many cases the dog can smell the bear before they come too close. I can always tell if a bear is in the area as my dogs go bark like crazy.
I especially hate the stories about the grizzlies tearing out their eyes. Also, bears eat the person while they
are alive and don’t kill their prey and then eat them.
Guns are really a good idea. Alaska is full of bears as
it seems like people don’t hunt them that much.

[6SJ7]

Ummm... you need to be careful how you use that pepper spray. It turns out some bears love the stuff, positively are attracted to it...

True. Some people think it can be sprayed on items as a preventative. Used that way it is actually more of a condiment!

[radioman]

It turns out some bears love the stuff, positively are attracted to it, will seek it out and roll in it to lick their fur to eat it

It's the kind with the red dye in it that they love. You have to make sure that you buy a brand without the red dye.

Seems only a direct shot up their nose when the can is held about a foot away is effective

Yes, you have to get up close and personal. Spraying from ten feet away does nothing.
.

[PapaBear3625]

Seems only a direct shot up their nose when the can is held about a foot away is effective,

Seems like a direct shot up the nose with a .44 Mag would be better, and you can do that from more than a foot away