This may be a hoax, and it is an old joke for sure, but maybe good for a chuckle. Enjoy!  --paw

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Hoax or not, it's say to me that bear bells and bear spray don't make up for spacial awareness, common sense and knowing what bear species inhabits the area your in.

Paw, the sign is a hoot.

Little tinkle bells are a joke. Probably sound like a little bird and if there is the least bit of wind I bet they don't hear anything at all. The human voice is probably the best warning followed by a whistle in windy conditions.

I have heard in Alaska they tread quietly and pack serious heat.

mastertangler wrote on Sep 23^rd, 2010 at 3:19am:

Paw, the sign is a hoot. I have heard in Alaska they tread quietly and pack serious heat.

'Tis true.

Has anyone crossed the border from the US to Canada; the first thing they ask you is if you have any pepper spray.  Can you buy pepper spray in Canada?

starwatcher

Starwatcher,
Pepper spray if labeled for animal protection is legal to carry across the border.

I once had a border guard ask me if I had pepper spray and when I told her I had bear spray she told me I would be unable to enter until I got rid of it. I pulled in to turn around and other border guards were asking me what I was doing. I told them and they all looked at each other, wanted to know who gave me the instructions and then waved me through, bear spray and all.

It's not 100%. I once watched a video on regular TV where a guy maced a black bear 3 separate times point blank in the face. Each time the bear paused, wiped its face and continued the pursuit. Fortunately the guy was close to his car or else he would of been toast.

I keep it in the tent at night but personally believe it would be of limited use in a confined area and would likely render you incapacitated. Don't spray into the wind (Duh). For me it is a last resort. I would basically let the bear look around unless he shows interest in me personally and then I would be quick to react. The longer you wait the more confident they become.  

Thanks for the information mastertangler.

starwatcher

I've heard, and correct me if you know this to be untrue, that the spray for bears has a higher concentration of pepper or whatever. It also comes in a bigger bottle so it's less likely to be carried around for personal protection - something our northern neighbor, call it civilized enlightenment or experience, frowns upon. Something labeled as bear spray it isn't a problem at the border although I wouldn't recommend walking around T-Bay with it holstered.

Bear spray manufactured in Canada eh.....(sorry it's automatic) is 1% capsacin and has french written on it as well as English.

Bear spray made in the USA is 2% capsacin and will soon be written in Spanish as well as English.

How would I know such a piece of inane trivia you may ask? Well I'm glad you asked (OH NO.....not another story!!)

After a brutally long day on the Tim river in Algonquin I came to a portage and realized my bear spray was gone.....my holster was indeed empty. (Hey.....that's 3 things I've lost on canoe trips, but I digress).

On the last portage off the Tim, what do I find hanging in a tree at eye level and in plain sight? A 1lb can of Canadian made bear spray! Definite proof that there is a GOD!  ;)