Bear Spray or Handgun

[mountainman]

Been around more "blackers" (chuckle) then most people are in a lifetime. The best protection is keeping your eyes and ears open when in bear country, wether black or brown. Best way to avoid confrontations for sure👍

[Da stump]

Howdy, i spent the summer last year in Cooper Landing managing the Alpine Inn Motel for my son Teacherman. We let our guests use pepper spray that other guests had left. You can't take it with you on a plane or through Canada. We never had anyone have to use it but there are monster bear around there. We where about 7-8 miles from where the Russian River dumps into the Kenai River. The talk with the guys i was able to ask was that even a large caliber pistol may be slower because even if you blow its heart out it can still come at you and get you. They recommended breaking a shoulder or spine, open mouth etc. A man in seward last fall was attacked, had bear spray.
Da Stump

[rtspring]

Why on gods green earth would soneone even think of using pepper spray!  At the point of YOU needing defense your life is in danger. 

Pull out the lead and kill the damned thing. 

[Bob33]

Why on gods green earth would soneone even think of using pepper spray!

Because it is more likely to prevent an attack than a handgun.

[rtspring]

Why on gods green earth would soneone even think of using pepper spray!

Because it is more likely to prevent an attack than a handgun.

Not hardly, Don't buy into everything you read.  I sprayed thousands of people with pepper spray while in the service, just part of my job.  Many people when sprayed are not affected, to the point where they can still do basic functions.  Some it has no effect at all. 

Now lets pretend its not a human, but a grizz or black bear.  It can still function for a few seconds and or minutes or it may not be bothered at all. 

Like I said, if your in damger of your life. You need to STOP the threat.  By that term only killing it will achieve the ultimate goal everytime.  You may be willing to risk spray working on a pissed off creature. But me and many others will not assume the spray will work.  No way! 

Sure most with a gun will not achieve the kil shot needed either, but I would think those people would rather get lucky than pray the spray works. 

No man can handle a bear, they are way too strong and way to fast for us.  Lethal force is what should be used, or else your taking chances.  I don't like taking chances with my life. 

Spray is an alternative yes, but it is not bear proof.  And should not be taught as such. 

[Bob33]

Why on gods green earth would soneone even think of using pepper spray!

Because it is more likely to prevent an attack than a handgun.

Not hardly, Don't buy into everything you read.  I sprayed thousands of people with pepper spray while in the service, just part of my job.  Many people when sprayed are not affected, to the point where they can still do basic functions.  Some it has no effect at all. 

Now lets pretend its not a human, but a grizz or black bear.  It can still function for a few seconds and or minutes or it may not be bothered at all. 

Like I said, if your in damger of your life. You need to STOP the threat.  By that term only killing it will achieve the ultimate goal everytime.  You may be willing to risk spray working on a pissed off creature. But me and many others will not assume the spray will work.  No way! 

Sure most with a gun will not achieve the kil shot needed either, but I would think those people would rather get lucky than pray the spray works. 

No man can handle a bear, they are way too strong and way to fast for us.  Lethal force is what should be used, or else your taking chances.  I don't like taking chances with my life. 

Spray is an alternative yes, but it is not bear proof.  And should not be taught as such.

The beauty of America is that you can believe a handgun works better and use it, while I can believe bear spray works better, and use it.

[rtspring]

Very true bob,

But take the guy in the previous posts on here that got attacked (fb post)


He was attacked twice in the same day by the same bear....


Hmmm Id bet he wished he used lethal force the first time he got attacked.. 

[Clint Westwood]

I practice with my bear spray left handed and my glock 10mm right handed ; )

[The scout]

I practice my glock right handed and my glock left handed, I'm not taking spray with me

[MAVsled]

Bear spray saved my life, or certainly from a serious mauling a few years back archery hunting in NW Montana.
I never went back to that basin/drainage again.
thinking about that experience chills me today. Especially when I read of potential grizz reintroduction into the eastern North Cascades!

I carry UDAP Magnum spray on left hip belt and SW 41mag on right hip belt when archery hunting.
AZ, UT archery hunts too but more as protection from the big cats.

***use spray first, gun 2nd....and a Prayer 3rd***

[hunter399]

Bear spray is like bringing a knife to a gun fight.

[Skyvalhunter]

Bear spray much better at close range, with a pistol you better be able to shoot a fly at 20 yds. as your pants are filling up.

[Mudman]

I have always been pro spray, but with the addition of wolves I think both options are now required at times.  3 issues with guns. 1 is time, 2 is accuracy, 3 is power/penetration.  So a guy needs a big gun with good skills and time enough to draw aim fire plus kill instantly before you are ran over and attacked by an angry bear.  Many times there isn't enough time. Wolves don't attack so suddenly so guns are great.  I don't know how good spray works on dogs, and there is more than 1 target with a pack.

[hunter399]

So you don't draw,aim,and shoot bear spray ,that's quicker than a gun .

I guess bear spray is like some invisible shield on star trek , or some magic ☁ cloud that comes out of a fog machine.
 

[kselkhunter]

Bear spray is on my chest holster at all times, don't need to draw to fire.  Just push the button. 

You know the old Alaskan saying: don't worry about caliber of pistol with a grizzly, just make sure you file off the sights so it hurts less when the grizzly shoves it up your rectum.