Quote:
Originally Posted by quiet
i've read a couple of books on the subject. black bears don't react to spray as well as grizzlies, which is the reason i carry it. i've had many, many encounters with black bears, and they always run away when approached, other than the odd time where you might have to clap your hands and yell.
http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Attacks-T.../dp/0941130827 is a great book on the subject.
it's been shown that when all other forms of avoidance of a grizzly have been exhausted, bear spray is a reasonably effective deterrent. of course it is far less likely to run into a grizzly. black/brown bears pratically infest the area i live in, but do not present much of a concern. in fact, there has only been one (non-lethal) bear attack in the history of the Whistler area. |
brown bears and black bears are generally very flighty animals. the few times i was hiking or mountain biking with friends where we had a good chance or surprising an animal, we always would make as much noise as we possible. usually, they will get out of the area... thats why you almost never see them. the problem is when you are hiking and you happen into them or startle them or they have young. then they will usually attack.