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Back 40: Bear spray works
Published
8 years agoon
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Outlaw PartnersHere’s how easy it is to use
By Chuck Bartlebaugh EBS Contributor
When used correctly, bear spray has worked 98 percent of the time, even against aggressive, charging or attacking bears. It has saved many people, including numerous visitors to Yellowstone National Park.
The 2 percent of encounters when it didn’t work, were related to wind or more than one bear charging.
Kerry Gunther, who is in charge of bear management for Yellowstone National Park, advises visitors to carry bear spray and travel in groups of three or more. “Hike during daylight hours and be aware of your surroundings,” Gunther said. “Watch for bear scat, bear digging sites, rocks and logs turned over, claw marks on trees, and paw prints along creeks and rivers.”
As a certified bear spray instructor, when I conduct my training, I emphasize these few critical steps to use bear spray quickly and properly:
1. Only purchase “bear spray.” Generic pepper spray is not the same as bear spray, which is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. I recommend bear spray with at least seven seconds of spray duration and a spray distance of at least 25 feet.
2. Carry bear spray in a hip holster, chest holster or an outer winter coat pocket when in the cold. During winter months, store your bear spray inside to keep it warm.
3. Practice makes perfect. Practice withdrawing the bear spray canister out of the holster, holding the can firmly in one or two hands, and placing your thumb in front of the safety tab until this process can be done with little hesitation or effort.
4. Direct the bear spray downward in front of a threatening, charging or attacking bear. The powerful expanding cloud will billow in front of it. As the bear passes through the cloud, the inflammatory and irritating chemicals will fill its eyes, nose, mouth, throat and lungs, causing the bear to divert its charge.
5. If a bear is closer than 30 feet in a charge, there is a possibility of contact, but bear spray will reduce the length and severity of confrontation. Be prepared to lie on the ground and play dead until the bear is gone. When getting up, have your bear spray ready. Remember, every year millions of Yellowstone National Park visitors never have a confrontation with a bear, but responsible hikers and campers prepare just in case.
Chuck Bartlebaugh is the director of the Be Bear Aware Campaign and conducts bear avoidance and bear spray presentations for state and federal wildlife agencies.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
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Please join the Arts Council of Big Sky for free music from Jacob Rountree at the Wilson Hotel Lobby Bar from 5-7 p.m.
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Please join the Arts Council of Big Sky for free music from Jacob Rountree at the Wilson Hotel Lobby Bar from 5-7 p.m. on April 24.
Jacob Rountree is an alternative/indie songwriter living in the stunning alpine of Montana. Contemplative yet playful, his lyric forward style is reflective of his love for philosophy, poetry and quantum physics.
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The Wilson Hotel
145 Town Center Ave
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Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
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Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
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(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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The Waypoint
50 Ousel Falls Rd