Idiot gun nut makes all kinds of crap up about bear spray not being effective

[Quixote1818]

I don't know what it is about this guy but he irritates the crap out of me because like most gun nuts he just uses his own feelings instead of the actual stats which I give below the video. He talks about all kinds of people getting killed who used bear spray. Totally made up shit! In my searching on the subject I found ZERO instances where someone was killed by a bear after they used bear spray:

&t=143s

Snip: The research confirms that it’s highly effective. A 20-year study, published in the Journal of Wildlife Management, of bear-spray incidents in Alaska found that these sprays stopped a bear’s “undesirable behavior” more than 90% of the time. The few times someone using spray sustained an injury, that injury was minor. Even when wind interfered with the spray’s accuracy, it still reached the bear and helped scare it off, the study shows.

http://time.com/5270214/does-pepper-spray-work-on-bears/

Link to the 20 year study on bear spray: https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2193/2006-452

[safeinOhio]

1. Here is one that will stop you.

Warning, very painful to watch

[Quixote1818]

4. Exactly! Bears don't kill people, people with guns accidentally kill themselves in the woods

at a MUCH higher rate than any deaths from animal attacks. You are much safer not having a gun simply because of the risk of an accident. And the stats BEAR this out crystal clear.

[3Hotdogs]

5. "I just fucking shot myself."

I think there was a musical written about this.

[csziggy]

2. Just for fun - though I believe you more than this sign

[aikoaiko]

3. FWIW

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/09/17/mother-grizzly-cub-killed-wyoming-officials-after-fatal-attack/1339239002/

Officials say the bears behaved unusually in attacking the men, who unsuccessfully tried to repel them with bear spray, a stronger version of pepper spray commonly carried by backcountry users in the area.

[Quixote1818]

6. It said they also used a pistol and it still came after them

Snip: Uptain and his client tried to fight off the bears with bear spray and a pistol but were unsuccessful, officials said.


I have seen some videos where bears get shot and then get more upset. It's possible that is what happened. Warning! It's hard to watch the bear get shot. In the second clip it shows it still continues after the guy even after being shot.

Thanks for the link

[Devil Child]

7. I have encountered a black bear and her cub while hiking in back-country

Evidence of her presence was on the trail which gave me slight awareness but her sudden appearance was still an intense moment. Luckily her and the cub bolted in opposite direction. They move so incredibly fast it would have been impossible to draw my handgun, aim, and fire in the 2ish seconds I had. When I'm out in the back-country I always have bear spray which is first choice for any critters and a revolver for "just in case" situations.

My opinion is this random you-tuber doesn't know what he's talking about and guns are not the cure-all solution for all encounters.

[Quixote1818]

10. I have had tons of encounters with black bears. No brown bears though

They have almost always just taken off running once they have seen me. I did get a false charge near our campground and didn't have anything to protect myself. I just stood there and raised my hands and it stopped and then ran off. I don't have a problem with someone having a gun as a last resort but 99.999% of the time the spray will work and then you don't have a dead bear on your hands.

My handful of encounters are certainly not a scientific study though.

[Devil Child]

11. A black bear false charge sounds like a harrowing moment

Props to you for keeping your cool and responding effectively. After my encounter it gave me moment to pause and reflect on preparedness/awareness. I was thankful I noticed the tracks, fresh spoor, and overturned rocks as I entered the canyon. 5 min later is when I saw her and the cub. Gave me enough pause to pull the safety tab off the bear spray and keep it more "ready" than usual.

It was my reminder to never stay complacent when out, especially solo. Remain aware and keep respect for the potential dangers out there. Most important, keep eyes peeled so I don't miss out on the cool signs of the presence of fauna even if unseen.

[Marengo]

8. I carry both when in bear country with the spray

As the 1st line of defense. The .44 is a last resort.

[Drahthaardogs]

9. It's not.

I lived and worked in Alaska for over a decade, much in remote areas. I had bear safety training every year from multiple instructors.

ALL recommend a high powered rafle chambered in .30 caliber or larger shooting at least 180 grain bullets. Bullets should be hard and maintain mass and shape. Nossler partition, Barnes X, and Swift A-frame were preferred.

Second chioce is twelve guage shotgun with BRASS slugs.

Third choice is a large handgun

Bear spray is better than nothing and only slightly less than the handgun

[Devil Child]

12. 320grn hard cast .44 mag for me

Only carry the .44 as the only bear I could possibly encounter are black bears. No browns/grizzlies in my state.