packgoatguy
Well-Known Member
My preference is to carry a 40s&w glock in blackbear country, and 10mm or 460 Rowland glock in lower 48 Grizzly country. However, when in Grizzly country, I also usually carry bear spray. If I encounter a bear and the situation allows me to retreat without shooting it I will, but such is not always the case. I too have had bear spray fail...
My wife and I were on a short hike behind our cabin, giving our pack goats a bit of exercise. Archery Elk started in a day or two if I recall. We were coming down a steep hill to a creek, I was in the lead and the 3 goats were between us, spread out over about 20 yards. Just as I reached the creek, I turned around just in time to see a young blackbear chasing the goats down the hill and into the creek from behind me. I called the goats over and held their collars while my wife crossed a few more yards downstream, and a but closer to the bear. The bear had stopped short when he saw us, but was still too close for comfort, so she sprayed at it with the canister. I watched the spray cloud go about half of the 5-10 yard distance from her to the bear... so I sprayed mine, with a similar result. The bear just sat there... she was carrying a 223 with a 30rd clip, and I had a 44mag by the way, so they were out as well... The bear seemed confused by the residual suspended cloud of pepper spray, and started to circle around us trying to get a better look. We agreed that he was acting more curious at that point than threatening, so we decided to let the situation play out a bit. He proceeded to circle us 3 times over the course of about 10 minutes. Never came any closer than 15 yards after the initial charge and standoff. However, he wasn't leaving, so I fired a half dozen off the 223 at a stump next to him, before he finally loped up and over the hill so we could continue our hike.
I was less than impressed with the range of the spray, perhaps they were old cans, this was about 14 years ago. But since then, I've seen bear spray sprayed in person and I would expect generally to cut the advertised distance in half. Need to have the nerves to wait till the bear is nearly on top of you to spray it effectively, and only do so if the wind is in your favor. Bottom line is... bullets and spray both are tools, both have their place depending on the situation.
As a side note... be sure to carefully wash your hands after even looking at a can of bear spray that has been activated... especially before using the john... or else you will regret your life's choices to that moment... just sayin
My wife and I were on a short hike behind our cabin, giving our pack goats a bit of exercise. Archery Elk started in a day or two if I recall. We were coming down a steep hill to a creek, I was in the lead and the 3 goats were between us, spread out over about 20 yards. Just as I reached the creek, I turned around just in time to see a young blackbear chasing the goats down the hill and into the creek from behind me. I called the goats over and held their collars while my wife crossed a few more yards downstream, and a but closer to the bear. The bear had stopped short when he saw us, but was still too close for comfort, so she sprayed at it with the canister. I watched the spray cloud go about half of the 5-10 yard distance from her to the bear... so I sprayed mine, with a similar result. The bear just sat there... she was carrying a 223 with a 30rd clip, and I had a 44mag by the way, so they were out as well... The bear seemed confused by the residual suspended cloud of pepper spray, and started to circle around us trying to get a better look. We agreed that he was acting more curious at that point than threatening, so we decided to let the situation play out a bit. He proceeded to circle us 3 times over the course of about 10 minutes. Never came any closer than 15 yards after the initial charge and standoff. However, he wasn't leaving, so I fired a half dozen off the 223 at a stump next to him, before he finally loped up and over the hill so we could continue our hike.
I was less than impressed with the range of the spray, perhaps they were old cans, this was about 14 years ago. But since then, I've seen bear spray sprayed in person and I would expect generally to cut the advertised distance in half. Need to have the nerves to wait till the bear is nearly on top of you to spray it effectively, and only do so if the wind is in your favor. Bottom line is... bullets and spray both are tools, both have their place depending on the situation.
As a side note... be sure to carefully wash your hands after even looking at a can of bear spray that has been activated... especially before using the john... or else you will regret your life's choices to that moment... just sayin
