Bear spray studies are primarily on non-aggressive bears.
The only firearms efficacy study that is used to compare against bear sprays used cherry picked incidents of aggressive bears. The authors refuse to release their data.
So, I assume they are actually using “bear spray” instead of just generic “pepper spray”. Sometimes the articles don’t make it clear.
the best defence is to stay out of bear country when the boys are fattening up for winter.
“Bad Hombre” bears think of it as seasoning...
Sabor y calidad...
Montana?
Bear, wolf, cat country?
No large cal firearm?
Daughter: Daddy, why are you putting sneakers on?
Father: Sweetie, I don’t have to outrun any bear; just need to outrun you.
A friend of mine carries a Smith and Wesson 500, .50cal pistol when he is in the mountains. He says bears are so fast when they come at you that he will probably only get 2 rounds off before its on him.
I would say this is a spray success story. My readings on bear attacks is that they are fast, and when hit in vital organs continue with their charge until totally exhausted, then they die. Meaning, yes, you got off two good shots, but will get mauled/killed anyway.
My point is the spray screwed up the bears senses, which drove it off. Yup, the guy got mauled, but he is alive to tell his story.
Personally, a heavy caliber pistol and spray would be a good combo.
Up front: my apologies for snipping this from ancient sources, but it’s too good not to use.
“The National Park Rangers are advising hikers in Glacier National Park and other Rocky Mountain parks to be alert for bears and take extra precautions to avoid an encounter.
They advise park visitors to wear little bells on their clothes so they make noise when hiking. The bell noise allows bears to hear them coming from a distance and not be startled by a hiker accidentally sneaking up on them. This might cause a bear to charge.
Visitors should also carry a pepper spray can just in case a bear is encountered. Spraying the pepper into the air will irritate the bear’s sensitive nose and it will run away.
It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for fresh bear scat so you have an idea if bears are in the area. People should be able to recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat.
Black bear droppings are smaller and often contain berries, leaves, and possibly bits of fur. Grizzly bear droppings tend to contain small bells and smell of pepper.”
Timing is important with bear spray...
You must wait until it is about 10 feet away...
then spray it directly into your eyes so you can’t see it maul you.
Survival:
First, draw your FIREARM.
Then, if there’s still time, deploy bear spray.
Conventional wisdom in Alaska is that pepper spray just pisses off brown bears.
Bears like a little spice in their meals.
Advice for people visiting bear counter.
Wear little bells on your clothing and carry some pepper spray when you are in bear country. When the bears hear the bells, they will leave the area; if some stay, the pepper spray will drive them away.
However, it is important to know whether the bears are black bears or brown bears. The best way to tell the difference between black bears and brown bears is to examine their scat.
Black bear droppings will contain squirrel fur, berries, and smell of fish.
Brown bear droppings will contain little bells and smell of pepper spray.