When
used correctly, bear spray has been found to work 98 percent of the time, even
against aggressive, charging or attacking bears. It has saved many people,
including 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—advice
that can be applied for all recreationists traveling in bear country.
“Hike
during daylight hours and be aware of your surroundings,” he 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.
A version
of this article first appeared in the April 15, 2016, edition of EBS.