
Bear Spray
Bear spray is the most effective means of deterring a charging grizzly or black bear. Although some may think guns would provide greater personal protection, research and experience indicates that human-bear encounters that do not involve firearms are less likely to result in injury to a human or bear. According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report, law enforcement agents and experienced hunters who used firearms to defend themselves suffered injury about 50% of the time, while a study in Alaska found that 98% of individuals carrying bear spray were uninjured after a close encounter with a bear. University of Calgary's Dr. Stephen Herrero found similar results. This is why bear spray is often carried in the backcountry by guides, hikers and backpackers, hunters and outfitters, mountain bikers, and other recreators.
How Bear Spray Works
When the trigger is pressed on a can of bear spray, the can shoots out atomized capsaicin (a red pepper derivative). Bear spray causes the membranes of the eyes, nose, and lungs of a bear—and humans as well as other animals—to swell and burn. The effect is a severe, but temporary (up to thirty minutes), loss of sight and restriction of breathing. To be effective, bear spray must reach the eyes and nose of the bear. In most scenarios, bears that are sprayed leave the area.
Bear spray is an airborne deterrent, not a repellent; it should only be used in an encounter with an aggressive bear. Do not pre-spray objects, as this can actually attract bears and other wildlife.
How to Use Bear Spray
Always carry bear spray so that it is readily available to you, preferably in a holster worn on a belt, your chest, or front of a backpack. Do not keep it inside your backpack or even in the side water bottle pockets—you will not be able to grab it fast enough. Make sure you practice taking out the can and removing the safety clip until the motion is comfortable.
If you are in an area where you might easily surprise a bear, carry the bear spray in hand. If you encounter a nearby bear, remove the safety clip, hold the can in both hands, and extend your arms to get ready. Be aware of the wind direction, because wind will affect the spray cloud.
If a bear is charging you, use the spray to deter the bear:
Steady your arms and aim downward toward the approaching bear; adjust the angle for wind direction if possible.
The goal is to spray the bear spray ahead of the bear so that the bear runs into it. But the ability to do this depends on where the bear is when it comes toward you. If the bear is further out, such as charging from roughly 60 feet (approximately the length of a bowling lane), spray out and down to a point about 30-40 feet in front of you, moving the can slightly from side to side. This will create a cloud that the charging bear will run into. This will likely deter the bear but be prepared to spray again if it makes it through the cloud.
If the bear is charging from about 30 feet, immediately spray downward directly in front of the bear so a cloud billows up into its face. If the bear tries to avoid the cloud, follow it with your spray.
If the bear is charging from 25 feet or less, spray the bear directly in its face while being ready to fall to your stomach in a defensive position (legs spread apart, hands protecting the back of your neck and head, spraying your bear spray if possible) if you think the bear is going to make contact. Stay in this position until you are sure the bear is gone.
Once the bear has retreated or has been deterred, leave the area as quickly as possible, but do not run; alternatively, get to an area of safety, such as a car. Keep an eye on the bear while you leave.
Consider buying inert training cans (like this one) to practice using bear spray. These cans don’t contain the active ingredient found in bear spray and are safe to use to practice these motions.
Buying Bear Spray
Before you buy a can of bear spray, make sure you know these important details:
Type: Ensure that you are using bear spray or a bear deterrent spray, not a personal defense product like pepper spray or mace. Pepper spray does not contain a high enough concentration of capsaicin to deter a bear, and it does not spray as far and wide. Buy cans that are labeled “bear spray” or “bear deterrent.”
Expiration: Make sure to check your can’s expiration date. Expired bear spray cannot be relied upon. Properly dispose of the can, or (in a controlled, outdoor setting) deploy the can as practice.
Certification: In the U.S., bear spray is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Only purchase cans with an EPA registration number (displayed on the canister label). In Canada, bear spray is regulated by Health Canada and the Pest Control Products Act. To be legal in Canada, bear spray must be clearly labelled that it is intended for use on animals.
Replacement: Replace bear spray if it has been discharged for any reason or lost its pressure, as in a puncture, if it has been left in extreme temperatures, or if it is past its expiration date (shown on the canister).
Some reputable brands of bear spray include Counter Assault, UDAP, Frontiersman, and Defense Aerosols (Yukon Magnum and Bear Defense Professional).
Accidental Contamination
The inflammatory properties of the bear spray will affect humans in a similar way as it does bears. A person contaminated with bear spray will experience discomfort as the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and lungs swell and become irritated. If the can was too close to the face, permanent eye damage can occur. Use the following guidelines if you are contaminated by bear spray:
Wash all affected areas with soap and cool, clean water.
Remove contact lenses.
Wash all contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
Take short shallow breaths to avoid breathing in the spray.
It may take up to 45 minutes before relief from the symptoms are felt. If the symptoms persist, seek medical attention.
A Final Reminder…
Nothing can replace good sense and proper safety measures. The very first defense in bear country is awareness and preparedness: observe the landscape and your surroundings, and keep your senses alert. If you are in bear country, educate yourself on how to avoid negative bear encounters and what to do in case of an attack. Bear spray is ideal for personal defense when hunting, camping, fishing, hiking, biking, or whenever enjoying the great outdoors in bear habitat.
Helpful Videos
How to Use Bear Spray
Learn everything you need to know about bear spray—how to deploy it, how to carry it, and some safety basics.
Video: Bear Safety and Bear Spray Training in 360
This interactive video walks you through how to respond to a bear encounter based on the bear’s behaviour, including how and when to use bear spray.
5 Tips When Using Bear Spray
Short on time? This one-minute video covers the bear spray essentials.