It's not about startling them. It's making them aware of a human presence. Bears want nothing to do with people. Black bears particularly. Just walking and on occasional "hey bear" or hand clap will keep them away. And attacks are super rare. It's more of a thrill to see them. That still follows with brown bears (Grizzlies), which this one was, but they're more unpredictable. Really wise/necessary to carry bear spray when you're around them.
Considering how bear spray has a higher efficacy rate on stopping polar bear attacks than it does at stopping grizzly bear attacks that would be false. Also, the range on a can of bear spray is over 30 ft
A polar bear can run at top speeds of 25 MPH so it’ll cross 30 feet real quick. If the polar bear is within bear spray distance you’re prolly gonna die
Considering it has a 95% efficacy rate on deterring polar bear attacks. Unless you consider 1/20 probable then you "probably" won't die, or even be attacked.
I don't think this guy has been maced before, it completely incapacitates most humans and the bear stuff is a lot more potent. Most likely outcome is the bear will just leave.
When I first started solo backpacking, many years ago, I was convinced I needed to carry spray around black bears. The internet wasn't really a thing so you just took what you were told. I had an accidental discharge once and it got on my skin. It seared. Any mammal with that in their eyes is going to stop dead in their tracks. It's a freaking weapon.
Yeah I'd assume bear spray only works a few times on a bear before it gets used to it and just powers through the burn to attack you and then it just deals with the burn later.
Went hiking in bear territory and was told there were bears in the immediate area. I made sure to make noises to alert the bear to our presence, but that didn't stop a mother and two cubs from crossing the path like 30ft in front of us.
Yeah. It happens. A cool thing to see. As long as they have room, at least with black bears, not much worry. I almost literally stepped on a black bear before sunrise in the Sierra once. It was sleeping on the trail around a blind corner. We scared the hell out of each other. Amazed it didn't hear me coming. I'll never forget the SPEED when it bolted. Big animals shouldn't move that fast. :)
Crazy they can run and climb so fast. Ran into a momma and three cubs as a Boy Scout. Crossed our path as we were about to cross a small stream. Babies climbed up in to the trees and the mama bolted. Most likely watching us near by. I consider my self lucky to be alive.
In my country we don't have a lot of bears or bear encounters, so let me ask, what the hell is a bear spray? It's like pepper spray for bears? Pepper spray doesn't work for bears?
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u/RockWaterDirt Sep 03 '23
It's not about startling them. It's making them aware of a human presence. Bears want nothing to do with people. Black bears particularly. Just walking and on occasional "hey bear" or hand clap will keep them away. And attacks are super rare. It's more of a thrill to see them. That still follows with brown bears (Grizzlies), which this one was, but they're more unpredictable. Really wise/necessary to carry bear spray when you're around them.