When we where at Yellowstone recently we carried bear spray everywhere. I don't think it was paranoid because (1) we always have bear spray in the car anyways in the roadside assistance kit and (2) National Parts are probably the most likely place to have a human-bear interaction because the bears are concentrated and bold.
One of the east-coast tourists noticed during dinner and we got to talking. I explained the "whoa bear" concept, the spray's effectiveness, etc. He asked what would happen if the words and spray failed... Would I use "harsh words?" I said that I would probably prefer to use "large caliber words" at that point of affairs. This got an uncomfortable facial reaction and rapid change of subject.
Speak loudly and carry a large boomstick.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but the large caliber works unlike the vibrations in the air otherwise known as words. I have tools to survive and it seems there are those who respect mother nature and those who don't. It's those who don't that are actually having the biggest problems.
ReplyDeleteI swear they think wild animals are just like you see out of classic Disney movies.
Ironic as it may be, Bear Spray, mace, pepper spray, CS/CN gas etc. is a 'weapon' under title 36 cfr section 2, and accordingly is illegal. http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=2d34e97fcb7450dfe9c52a418d344e61;rgn=div5;view=text;node=36%3A1.0.1.1.2;idno=36;cc=ecfr
ReplyDelete2.4 is the 'prohibitive' section, 1.4 defines 'weapon'.
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=8f2705eee67bbc8078be317d19e37e60&rgn=div8&view=text&node=36:1.0.1.1.1.0.1.4&idno=36
Weapon means a firearm, compressed gas or spring-powered pistol or rifle, bow and arrow, crossbow, blowgun, speargun, hand-thrown spear, slingshot, irritant gas device, explosive device, or any other implement designed to discharge missiles, and includes a weapon the possession of which is prohibited under the laws of the State in which the park area or portion thereof is located.
bear gas qualifies as an 'irritant gas device'.
Guns on the other hand are legal if they are legal in the state you are in.
Founders,
ReplyDeleteThe US Park Service and their rangers are now actually discussing and advocating carrying and using bear spray in the park. There might well be a "binding" regulation or other legal exception for sprays intended for use against animals, or the technical definition of irritant gas device may not include bear sprays.
I thought it was hilarious that the park newspaper had to include a line that said, "Bear spray is not a repellent. Do not preemptively apply spray to yourself or others!" That tells me that someone tried it...
Bear spray is really a highly effective deterrent. The best data available says that it works really well (better than many handguns for that matter), and it can also condition the bear to stay away from people. I'm glad that the park service is endorsing its use now.
My Alaska bear story
ReplyDeleteWe lived in Anchorage Alaska for 17 years. The military sent me there and we liked it so much we stayed. I had three encounters with brown bears during that time. Thankfully none of them ever amounted to anything other than me thanking God it ended without my blood being shed. I was hunting moose and I didn’t have a brown bear tag either of those times. I was armed both times with a Winchester model 70 in .375 HH mag, Ruger super black hawk loaded with brass turned bullets and I carried bear spray. I could have killed the bear if needed too. Dealing with the Wildlife troopers after the fact is what I really wanted to avoid. Shouting and posturing worked for me those times but I was ready if it didn't. The one time I was unarmed was in Denali National Park, no firearms allowed. We had won the drive through lottery and while driving towards Wonder Lake I needed to take a whiz. I pulled over and ventured off into the brush. I found a nice spot out of eye shot of the road and started. About fifteen yards away a big, but not monster big but still an effing big brown bear stood up and looked right at me. My bladder immediately slammed shut but I didn’t want to move to “put myself away.” I thought, really God, really with my junk hanging out. This is how it ends for me? I continued to remain as still as possible. He started to curl his lips and sniff the air. After a few seconds he rolled to the left and just headed away. I tucked up, wandered back to the van and got in. My wife said “you don’t look so good, are you ok”? I said “honey I’ve never felt better, let’s go”