Therein lies the problem. National Parks (US DOI) are far more strict when it comes to any sort of weapon, including pepper spray. There is an exemption for most parks in Alaska (Part 13) on weapons.

CFR Title 36

National Forests (USDA) seem to be much more lenient. Firearms are generally permitted, as is target shooting, hunting, fishing, etc. (under compliance with state laws). At least, in most forests. I'm sure there a few forests with tougher restrictions in place.

Rule #1 with pepper spray. Never spray into the wind. I know it sounds like I am making a joke and I guess I sort-of am but it's not a bad reminder. I have seen a person make this mistake (fortunately from a distance) and it isn't pretty. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I don't see coyotes as ANY kind of threat. Wolves are virtually no threat, either.

But bears scare me to death. Garbage can bears scare me the most. I have only been around two of them that I've seen, and suspected two more from the way my dog was acting (she was cutting in front of me and pressing against my shins to force me backwards). We backed off and retraced our steps, both of us with our chins on our shoulders.

Two mail carriers that I've known both have said that they knew of other carriers that were afraid of dogs, and had used pepper spray on them. Both had had previously-sprayed dogs come right over the fence at them, when they had only barked before.

So, I've wondered if using pepper spray is setting up the next person that comes along for a REALLY nasty surprise?

Sue

Brown Bear Project States and I agree :

Recent Bear attacks in Quebec and Ontario involved predatory Black Bears (2 come to mind that occured in the past 10 years). The attacks were swift and without warning. As a last resort tool (firearms are not an option here) I look for a can I could use while on the ground fending off the attacker, or helping out a partner being mauled. Distance & patern are not of much concern. It the bear is charging at you and you anticipate the attack, it is unlikely, you will have time to draw and spray before being taken down.

We always carry - just another one of those things we hope we'll never need.

Don't put it in your backpack use a holster.
https://store.udap.com/merchant.mvc?Scre...ategory_Code=BS

I've used "bear spray" on aggresive dogs, and had it work very well.

The big problem was holding my 105lb Akita with my left hand, while trying to break out and 'arm' the spray with the right hand.
<img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Once that was done, I had to judge the wind (I have 'maced' myself before) before I sprayed the other dog in the face at 3'.

The time I maced myself was when I attempted to break up a dog fight between my Akita and a neighbor's Doberman. It worked in the sense that they stopped before too much damage was done, but I got the full effect of it too. Very unpleasant not to be able to breathe!

By the way ToddW, I have UDAP in a holster. Again, it is very difficult to get out. They say you do not have to take it out of the holster to use it, but it is a very BAD idea to 'shoot from the hip'.