I'd rather have the pepper spray than nothing and rather have the shooting iron than the pepper spray.
Your observations about the legality of weapons in certain areas is also correct of course. In States like New Jersey, firearms, their possession and use, even to protect your own life or the life of another person or domestic animal is essentially forbidden. Thankfully, there are far more states with a rational perspective on this issue.
Some people might have a problem keeping cool under such circumstances, but I don't believe I would. Such people might also have a problem fumbling around with a pepper spray container. And what about the wind? You might find yourself pepper-spraying yourself.
I re-iterate - a bear population which is regularly hunted will come to regard most humans with caution and fear. Where there is a large human popluation and no hunting of bears the bears will ineveitably conclude humans are an easy source of food and adapt accordingly.
Bears are not stupid animals. They learn.
Pepper spray devices holding greater than 4 ounces are forbidden in State Parks under laws sponsored by the Department of Environmental Protection and enacted by the Legislature many years ago. Some, actually most of the hikers I've met on the Appalachian Trail willfully violate this law. I'm looking for the statuate now and will post it when I find it.
Trust me, you can't make this stuff up....It could only happen in NJ.
I'd rather have the pepper spray than nothing and rather have the shooting iron than the pepper spray.
Or have both! :o)
Your observations about the legality of weapons in certain areas is also correct of course. In States like New Jersey, firearms, their possession and use, even to protect your own life or the life of another person or domestic animal is essentially forbidden.
In those states, you might have a chance if armed with bear spray. If a bear was attacking a dog in someone's back yard, using the spray on the bear might save the dog's life. That's better than standing by screaming and yelling "shoo!"
Some people might have a problem keeping cool under such circumstances, but I don't believe I would. Such people might also have a problem fumbling around with a pepper spray container. And what about the wind? You might find yourself pepper-spraying yourself.
Until actually faced with the situation, it can be hard to predict how a person will respond. But being prepared by reading and thinking about how to respond, and target practicing - either with a gun, or in my case, an inert bear spray practice canister - increases the odds that you'll be able to respond. You might still crap your pants, but you'll probably be able to respond appropriately.
The problems you mention about bear spray are a consideration, especially the wind. But, as with any weapon, practice and knowing how it will respond in actual use reduces your risk. Whether using a gun or spary, there are no guarantees. You just hope you're prepared if the need arises.
I re-iterate - a bear population which is regularly hunted will come to regard most humans with caution and fear. Where there is a large human popluation and no hunting of bears the bears will ineveitably conclude humans are an easy source of food and adapt accordingly.
I absolutley agree. And using good common sense when in bear country is the key. An encounter with a bear in the wild is rare. But problems do exist when areas such as you've described.