Do you think this would scare the bears away <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />?
Handi Blaster

I can hear it now ?
Sorry officer, I did not mean to burn down the 1000 acres of forest <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />, but this big bear was out to get me <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />.

Pete

" If that bear was a grizzly, I would NOT have gotten out and "played" with it. "

No offense, but I think you should have stayed in your truck anyway. What you did is just as ill-conceived as feeding the bear. To approach any wild animal that closely, and/or to fail to withdraw if possible, is (IMHO)poor woodsmanship. By the way, I believe Black bears account for far more attacks on humans than do Grizzlies.

My concern isn't just for your personal safety, but also for the animal. No bear should be encouraged to get that close to a human... regardless of WHO has to retreat. I believe that if a wild animal approaches you .. or lets YOU approach it.. that closely, something is wrong.
.... just IMHO

Bottom line; If a black bear attacks you in camp at night you have no choice but to fight or get eaten. Whether you succeed or not is secondary.
A couple was attacked by a black bear who got the man down and proceed to devour him. The woman attacked the bear, hitting it with her purse, It ran off. The man survived but was never quite the same afterwards..... Some things were missing. Any pepper spray, guns, or large knives will be confiscated by national park rangers if seen. Keep them concealed as well as possible.

I just checked with the National Park Service website, they have a page discussing the effectiveness of pepper spray http://www.nps.gov/search/query-meta?q=p...;as_sitesearch= I tried weapons regulations but the page wa being updated. I would bet the regulations vary with the state where the park is located.

Very possible. I know that Great Smoky Mountain Park confiscates Pepper spray. I had mine buried in my pack (not much use), another person had a small one clipped to belt. It was taken.

My large "Bear Spray" canister has a warning: " DO NOT SEEK OUT BEARS TO TRY THIS ON... IT MIGHT NOT WORK"

I ask you.... how is Natural Selection going to work if we keep warning people?

It's amazing how people's bowels react when they see 30 rounds of AK-47 TRACERS come at them <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Here's something I posted a while back in another bear thread.

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.

Oh yes, we cannot deny the Darwin Awards their due process.

"I ask you.... how is Natural Selection going to work if we keep warning people?"

I hate to have to be the one to point this out, but warning people has absolutely NO EFFECT on Natural Selection!

Sue

Bear Repellent Portable Electric Fence
or
Electro Bear Guard