[leadin]A common backcountry tool, bear spray is made to deter a charging bear. We spoke with an expert for advice on how to buy it and when (and how) to use spray in real-world situations.[/leadin]
My first mountaineering expedition was to a remote peak tucked deep in Canada’s Clemenceau Ice fields. Two weeks later, and 15 pounds lighter, we staggered out of the mountains and through the woods when I literally bumped into my buddy’s pack. Standing still as a statue, he muffled a few words under his breath which eventually sunk in as “BEAR!”
Seeing the monstrous Ursus arctos in situ is a truly awesome experience. You don’t know whether to reach for the camera or the bear spray… or both. But self preservation is a funny thing, and so is the trust you instill in a can holstered to your belt.
We reached out to bear spray expert Chuck Bartlebough at The Center for Wildlife Information, where we got schooled on bear deterrent. Here are a few things you should know.
Not All Bear Spray Propellants Are Created Equal
A good spray is a combination of an atomized propellant, a well engineered nozzle, and a quality can. Sacrifice one of these facets and the spray quality is decreased.
Repellants claiming to be hotter pepper sprays (or containing more capsaicin) may in fact be thicker and less capable of producing an effective protective cloud, Bartlebough said.
Buy EPA-Registered Bear Sprays
There are lots of proprietary sprays available, all claiming to be a bear deterrent. But unless it’s regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (in the United States), you can’t be sure the contents are effective or if they have even been tested. Seek out sprays with 1% to 2% capsaicin and related capsaicinoids.
Note: If you’re shopping for bear spray online, be extra sure that it’s EPA-Registered. In brick and mortar stores, like REI’s or hunting/fishing shops, it’s near impossible to find non-EPA bear sprays for sale, so you should be good to go.
Look For An Approximate 5-Second Spray Duration
A charging bear (or bears; yes, multiple charging bears) presents a lot of variables. Wind, distance, velocity… a four-second spray might provide enough coverage. But a five-second spray allows you to empty the can’s contents effectively and quickly, especially important when a bear is charging. In heavy bear country, Bartlebough always brings two cans.
Cold Affects Bear Spray
Below 40˚F, bear spray can have a reduced spray distance and some may not work at all. Don’t store your spray over night in the truck or outside in a pack. Keep it inside and warm.
If you are hiking during the cooler shoulder seasons, carry the spray under your jacket to keep it from getting too cold.
When Encountering a Threatening Bear
Deploying an effective spray requires a bit of patience and timing. A good bear spray will propel 25 to 30 feet out from the can. Other options, like SABRE’s Frontiersman spray (pictured above), propel 35 feet and provide even greater range and protection.
Say the bear is standing 60 feet away, not charging but eying you out… snorting, pacing. Spray early, and you risk the cloud dispersing before the bear charges. You’ll need to wait for the charge.
