JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming – Guests of Jackson Hole’s Million Dollar Cowboy Bar were hit with an unwelcome cloud of bear spray this past weekend, as someone unleashed a can of the capsaicin deterrent inside the building. Multiple social media posts from the weekend explain the event, including one for musician Matt Farris who was playing a concert at the time, with people being forced out of the bar after the can was released.
The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar is one of Jackson Hole’s most iconic buildings, hosting a history of famous celebrities, presidents, and many more as visitors. Open in 1937, the bar is known for its live music and western dancing, with legends like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson having played there in the past.
Country musician Matt Farris was performing in the bar when the bear spray was released. Based on a social media post made by the artist, the bear spray may have been targeted at members of the band.
“Whoever decided that it would be funny to spray bear spray at the band tonight at Million Dollar Cowboy Bar thanks for ruining a great night.” – Matt Farris
Bear spray is a strong deterrent made of red pepper oil, designed to deter aggressive and attacking bears or other potential dangerous animals. The spray does no permanent damage to animals or people, but it will cause eyes to close and tear up, with pretty severe pain lasting around 45 minutes. Official bear spray is registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and marked as such, and is regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Bear spray has both a longer range and a higher concentration of capsaicin than pepper spray, and it is illegal to use against humans.