Safety in
Grizzly and
Black Bear Country
Deterrents
Every person who works or travels in bear country
should have ready access to some means of deterring or chasing away a
bear. However, do not let access to deterrents make you overconfident.
No deterrent is completely effective against every bear in every
situation. Carry a backup firearm just in case. Use deterrents with
caution, as many are potentially dangerous.
Chemical Repellents
(Commonly referred to as "pepper spray.") Tests have shown
these will stop a charging bear if sprayed into the bear's eyes, nose
and mouth. Chemical repellents have limitations - short range,
difficulty of accurate delivery if a person is excited, and their
potential for abuse. Practice with the particular type you are using so
that you are familiar with its characteristics.
Noise
Warning shots and noisemakers are commonly-used deterrents. However,
they are not always effective. They scare some bears, but other bears
ignore them. Noisemakers include: cracker shells (fired from a 12-gauge
shotgun); Thunderflashes (hand-thrown); and airhorns. Never fire a
warning shot or cracker shell directly at a bear. Shoot in the air to
the side of the animal. A wounded bear is very dangerous. Place cracker
shells and Thunderflashes between you and the bear. An explosion behind
the bear may scare it toward you. Bird-scaring/flare, cartridges are
fired from a flare pistol, and explode with a bright flash as well as
loud noise. They are inexpensive, portable, and generally more reliable
than other noisemakers.
Vehicles
Trucks, snowmobiles, ATV's, and helicopters have been used to chase away
bears. Sometimes, starting and revving the engine is enough. Do not
chase a bear with a vehicle for any reason other than personal
protection, and do not overdo it. Allow the bear to maintain a steady
trot. If the bear is stumbling or crashing through bushes, you are too
close.
Electric Fences
If your camp will be located in one place for a period of time, consider
setting up an electric fence. It can deliver a high-power jolt to any
bear that touches it. Electric fences have been used effectively to keep
black and grizzly bears out of garbage dumps, construction camps,
outfitting and exploration camps.
An electric fence intended for protection against bears must meet
certain construction specifications in order to be effective. It also
requires regular and careful maintenance.
Rubber Bullets
These are fired from a 12-gauge shotgun. Renewable Resource Officers can
provide information on where to obtain them and their proper use.
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