A brother and sister duo were out for hike with their dogs on Bear Mountain, a popular hiking destination located on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, when they heard a commotion coming from the brush during their descent. At first they thought they had crossed paths with a lynx due to a hissing sound but they quickly found out otherwise. The man had his bear spray drawn with the safety off when a black bear came charing out the forest in pursuit of his dog. The man successfully deployed the spray and stopped the bear in tracks. Unfortunately he nailed the dog in the process and a gust of wind brought a capsaicin laced cloud towards him so the entire party ended up teary eyed. Better to have irritated eyes and nasal cavity than a bear sprinting in your direction.
If you’ve ever questioned if bear spray actually works, you should know the non-lethal deterrent’s effectiveness is back by scientific research including a review of bear attacks in Alaska from 1985 to 2006 that found bear spray stopped a bear’s “undesirable behavior” in 92% of cases and lab study by the University of Montana’s Border Grizzly Project, where bear spray stopped and turned away every bear tested in 500 tests with 6 grizzlies and 60 black bears. Even in windy conditions bear spray can still do its job as the irritant emerges from the nozzle at over 70 mph.
“A black bear charged my sister and me on Bear Mountain in Alaska! We thought it was a Lynx because it was hissing. We yelled hey bear for a least 7 minutes! We couldn’t see anything, and the bear was where we needed to go to get down. We heard something in front of us and behind us with only 8 seconds of spray. Then the bear came charging around the corner. I fell holding the puppy when I came up I got hit with the spray, as did we all! The spray is seen taken off into the wind back at us! My sister’s quick thinking saved my life her four dogs and two elderly hikers running down the hill as we were yelling! Thanks, bro, you are the best! “
Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) Bear Spray Guidelines:
These guidelines are offered in an effort to provide the public with important information about bear spray and recommendations on how to select an effective bear spray. The IGBC does not promote or endorse any particular commercial bear spray product.
- Purchase products that are clearly labeled for deterring attacks by bears. If in doubt, ask a salesperson specifically for bear spray.
- Only purchase bear spray that is registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA registration number is displayed on the front label of bear spray canisters.
- Use the EPA-registered bear spray in accordance with its label instructions.
- Given the unpredictable situations that may be encountered and the possible need to use bear spray multiple times during the course of one trip (e.g., wind, multiple bears, the hike out, etc.), be sure to carry an adequate amount of bear spray. Consider carrying two cans.
Bear spray is only effective when used as an airborne deterrent sprayed as a cloud at an aggressive animal. It should not be applied to people, tents, packs, other equipment or surrounding areas as a repellent. Bear spray should be used as a deterrent only in an aggressive or attacking confrontation with a bear. Never approach, interact with, or feed a bear.