Bear Spray
 

Well it turns out that there is a bear down in southern Mississippi. My dad just so happened to buy the land that it lives on. Now my hunting land has a black bear living on it. I don't know about you guys but I will flip out if I see a coyote. I was wondering if any of you guys use the bear mace when hunting. Which brand do you recommend? Thanks

RE: Bear Spray
 

I bought it this year after a very close run in with a 550# bear. I spend lots of time with bears, photographing, hunting etc.

I havent had a chance to use it yet, but if I ever have to, and I live to tell about it....I will surely let you know.

I have the stuff called "Guard Alaska" comes with the little black holster. Even with all the time I spend in bear country, Im guessing my first use of it will be on an aggressive NJ ANTI.

If your really concerned, get it. But chances are, bears will leave you alone, as long as you do the same.

Dont get eaten, and have a good one---Matt:)

RE: Bear Spray
 

Wow, sounds like you want to use it.:D

RE: Bear Spray
 

Id prefer the bears leave me alone. But I kinda look for trouble....

I like to take pics of them, and the only way you can do that is to get close.

Closest Ive been to a bear is about 10-15 feet.

Another one was once "huffing" at me and it bluff charged. (stopping short at about 18 feet)

Scared the poo out of me!

This past year I was bowhunting in an area I planned to bear hunt later. Well I did some fawn bleats, and hear some crashing around behind me. Im well up in a pine tree so I cant make anything out. The noise continued for a while, and I thought to myself, I bet thats a bear.

Well, it started to pour, so I climbed down. Didnt want to shoot a deer with a bow in the rain. As Im walking down the logging trail, I stop abruptly. Staring at this massive "black stump" that I hadnt seen before. Its about 40 yards away, well it didnt take long for me to reallize that I was staring at the second biggest bear Ive ever seen. He was sitting on his rump like a dog, and was taller than me. He had NO idea I was there, so I backed up, knocked an arrow, and came into view, shouting and holding my arms as high as I could. I felt stupid yelling "GO BEAR" "GO ON GET"......and I think he thought it was stupid too.

He didnt care about my shouting...and he was only five yards from the trail. He didnt seem to care that I wanted to come through either. He looked my way, looked back at where he was staring, and rose slowly.

I kept shouting and moving closer. (it was the only way out of those woods) He didnt think he should leave though so he came closer.

Long story short, I had to walk within mere feet of this monster, and he stared me down the whole time. I never turned my back on him, and I backed down the mountainside. This was before I got the spray, and the reason why.

There is NO WAY I would have gotten a bow shot off before he could have had me under him. Normally they arent aggressive, and simply walk off, or try to scare you off...depending upon how close you are when they reallize.

But this one scared the heck out of me.....he was like an uncaring black mac truck staring at me.

If that doesnt scare the poo out of ya, I dont know what would!

Moral of my long-winded post: Bears deserve respect! LOTS OF IT!

RE: Bear Spray
 

i hunt the rocky mnts every year for bighorn sheep and always see grizzly bears and had encounters within 50 yards of them, and have had no problems. i have made several spot and stalk bow hunt kills on black bears and never had a problem, providing wind and approach is to your advantage, however i never go hunting with out my bear spray on my belt, as i have encounter both mnt lions and wolfves while bowhunting. bear spray vs bow and arrow as a animal deterent imho is a no brainer. because i hunt sub zero weather conditions i use oil base bear spray. i always test my bear spray before each hunting season and change to a new can after ever 2 nd season.

RE: Bear Spray
 

Just be carfull with that stuff.
I was fishing this summer and a fellow angler had a big bear sized can of pepper spray ( he was afraid of his shadow) in his Explorer.
When we came back from fishing it had exploded from the heat ( 85 deg. out side )in his black explorer the temp was ??
It had exploded and slimed the seatand the passenger side door.
He had to drive home ,100+ miles with the windows open .
From talking to his wife later ,he had to replace the seat ,rug, door pannel and the head liner.
He was a little hot . LOL

Johnch

RE: Bear Spray
 

Can you shoot them? If you can, SHOOT IT!

RE: Bear Spray
 

A black bear is like encountering a dog, sometimes a good rover and sometimes rover can be mean and nasty and thats where the pepper spray works and make sure you don't buy maze but buy bear spray. I buy a can of counterassault about every other year and I like the ez pouch to grab if need too. I don't leave home without it. I wish all I had to deal with is blackies but my main concern is the griz out here, the black bear encounters have been less threatening. I got bored last year while hunting and sprayed some pepper spray to see what would happen and when you press the button it doesn't stop until you slide it off again and in tring to figure it out the wind changed or something and it blew back in my face and man have you ever seen a grown man cry. I know that it works as I have even used it on a cow moose before during birthing season . Bobby

RE: Bear Spray
 

I wouldn't shoot it. Might be just what you need to keep people out who shoundn't be there. Train him to hate intruders.:D
Post signs saying "Guard bear on duty".

RE: Bear Spray
 

Just watch the wind when using that stuff. My law enforcement buddies who have experienced it say if the wind pushes it to you you will wish the bear finishes you off instead[:@]