Good idea to carry pepper spray in Glacier, where the bears are seriously dangerous.  Carry it in the BWCA and you're very unlikely to use it.

I'm curious how many of the folks who claim certain knowledge of bears have studied the work of the Bear Center in Ely.

solotripper wrote on May 16^th, 2013 at 7:46pm:

The statements that are made to the public are necessary to give accountability.  Frankly, if they (law enforcement officers) are responding according to their mission of protecting the public, I am satisfied with the statement, "we took care of it".  The wildlife experts role serves the protective rights of the animal population.  So there is a check and balance.  Any 3rd party research into wildlife study is always a positive when the honest facts are reported.

Many of us might be aware of a child killed by a bear in 1948 in the Hiawatha National Forest.  The hand me down story of the account was the bear snatched the girl from the porch of a home.  Public reaction was severe and for years many black bear were shot on sight.  My guess is that many from that local and generation still harbor some hatred for the animal.  Times have changed and the balance we currently have seems to be accepted.

-YB

Bottom line is IF you encounter a true predatory bear, which while rare, do exist, could you survive the encounter?
I'd like to believe I could, but I'd rather avoid it altogether if possible.
I don't plan on avoiding outdoor areas were they live, so that leaves only a few options in my mind.
You either carry a lethal option, or you carry a non-lethal one.
In grizzly country or areas where black bear are particular aggressive, I'd carry both ( legaly of course).

Quote:


That's what that pointy metal tip is for
You mount the flare firmly in it's skull and ingnite.

I wouldn't be above poking the pointy flare end into a bear's eye, if I should be that close...
Stun gun sounds do-able...as long as you don't have it shooting the wrong way in the excitement.  IF you were in contact with the bear would you get the jolt too?
I think I'll just stay with the stout beaver stick, and on especially nervous nights, my camping axe also.