If I were hiking in an area with occurence of dangerous animals I would take with me a small lightweight torch in addition to a bear spray. (By torch I donīt mean flashlight.) Plus some lighter that can be quickly used with one hand to light up the torch. I havenīt tested if it would be sufficient deterrent but I would rather have even a small fire in between me and the animal than nothing.

If you havenīt come across this yet this is interesting story: http://ngadventure.typepad.com/blog/2008/02/avalanches-esca.html - first comment (at the bottom).

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Face-to-Face with a Buffalo

This is not fiction – do not try this anywhere, anytime! You can not even start to imagine how very lucky I am to be alive to tell this story. Jim Bolton

Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motors are manufactured by ATK ( http://www.atk.com ) outside of Brigham City Utah. I was on a travel assignment to ATK for a four day training course...