Bear Spray Alternative? Is Bear Spray Even Worth It?

Do you really need bear spray with black bears? The research might surprise you. I take a look at different research that suggests bear spray is less effective with black bears. While exploring my own encounter with a black bear on a recent hike. And an alternative to bear spray I'm going to be trying on the trail.

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The Research:

Video Chapters:

00:00 Bear Shootout
1:43 A Bear But No Spray
4:31 The Research
6:00 A Bear Spray Alternitive?

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[joelnichols]

I've been driving for 40 years and not needed my seat belt once. I still wear it. Black bear attacks do happen. Plus grizzlies are expanding their range into areas you might not expect. I think being smart with your food is the #1 thing you should never compromise on.

[LetsGoOutdoors]

As an outdoor videographer for the past 23-years filming in the Alberta backcountry bear spray has always been a part of my kit. Can’t say I have ever heard anyone claim it was too heavy to carry. It can also be a useful deterrent to other potential aggressive wildlife encounters. For me peace of mind out weighs leaving spray at home.

[Sirrehpotsirch]

I'll share my experience on the PCT and the CDT: I have always carried bear spray and, over the years, have used it successfully twice on black bears and once on a bobcat who was stalking me during a night hike. I was never bothered by the weight. But, I had to wait until the critters were close enough to be effective.
However, a few times, I used a small boat horn. I kept it in a small holster attached to my shoulder strap. I got the idea when I noticed that the bear was not impressed with my efforts at shouting, "Hey bear!" The horn is small but makes the devil's own racket! When I used it on a black bear, he turned and bolted right away. When I used it on a mountain lion, he jumped 10 feet straight up and raced back up the hill, pausing at the top of the hill to turn and give me a dirty look as if to say, "What the heck was that!!"
The sound is quite startling. Now, I carry the horn on one shoulder strap, and the bear spray on the other.

[michaelbattistelli]

as a recently retired mailman with 29 yrs experience, i can say Halt rarely works on larger dogs that are aggressive, i would not EVER consider it for a black bear! i hike and camp in the mountains of colorado and always carry bear spray, but more for mountain lions than bears. and these days you never know who you will encounter on the trail or in camp, and bear spray is a VERY effective non lethal way to protect yourself in those situations.

[MoonlightGrahamCracker]

A problem I have is people always cite the number of fatal attacks by a species as if getting mauled or otherwise torn up isn’t important. The problem is no one really knows how many black bear, grizzly, mountain lion, wolf, coyote, etc… attacks there are each year. The other issue I have are when the numbers are cited in a dishonest manner, eg, you have a better chance of getting struck by lightening than killed by a great white… when a majority of the population will never be in the ocean in any given year. All this to make a reasonable concern by people who do recreate in an area around predators seem irrational in their concern and efforts to mitigate those concerns.

I’d also be interested on historical trend analysis on attacks by species as sprawl continues to deplete habitat and push humans and animal predators closer into likely conflict. Telling me there have only been X number of Grizzly attacks in Montana in the past 100 years is of minimal value, but seeing the numbers over the past few decades is going to be more valuable. But again, we need better numbers on attacks, which I recognize is more difficult to collect.

[magickaldood]

I have lived and hiked in Black Bear country my entire life and have lived in Grizzly country for the last decade. Every bear encounter is different and I would not rely on stats to determine your level of preparedness.

Bear spray is a great deterrent, but that is all it is. It will deter a bear but it may not stop an attack. Black bears are generally very docile but they have been known to contest humans for trash/food, especially when under environmental pressure. I wouldn't go without bear spray but I also wouldn't go without my pistol. Bonus being that the pistol works on snakes, feral dogs, coyotes, wolves and mountain lions.

"you never need it until you do" I believe this to be correct. I also would not focus on fatal bear attacks, I'm focusing on getting away from the bear with out any injuries. Maybe this helps, either way be safe

[samalper]

I usually carry bear spray (I don’t live or hike in Grizzly country). When I think about what I might have to use it on I’m thinking about Cougars, humans, and moose.

[xXZertulXx]

I think the best statement in this video is "You don't really need it until you do". In my personal opinion, it's better to bring it and never have to use it, than to need it and not have it with you. I understand that the chances of needing it are extremely low (especially when using best practices for bear safety), but there is always that chance you'll end up needing it and I'd much rather have it than not.

[brucehunter]

Over the years I’ve had several encounters with Black bears. The craziest one was when I was picking berries and had it stand up from the bush in front of the bush I was picking from. Scarred the crap out of me, yelled and backed off but like most other encounters the bear couldn’t figure out what I was and just looked at me with a clueless look on its face. Other encounters I've have had the bear either ignore me or just run away. However this year I was in Tweedsmuir - Grizzy & Black Country and stumbled across a brownish bear eating berries. It reared up when I yelled and at that point I took out my spray – the bear was up the hill from me, as we walked ourselves back it also walked with us. I was getting concerned because if this continued we would be crossing paths soon. My greatest trouble was that I couldn’t positively determine that I was dealing with either a Grizzly or a Brown Black – we were sort of face to face. Long story short we changed our direction of travel and the bear did not follow. Glad I had my spray but even after all the many years of being out in the backcountry I have never used it.

[kevinsamuelson]

I live in Southern California and I’ve had 3 black bear encounters in as many weeks while mountain bike riding in my local mountains. On the first occasion the bear was crossing the fire road 50 to 75 yards ahead of me. He stopped and stared me down for about 10 seconds before running off. The next encounter I was headed down the trail at about 15 mph and came around a bend and there 75 to 100 feet ahead walking straight at me was what appeared to be the same bear. I was down wind so I don’t think the bear could smell me. I have a bear bell and music playing as a deterrent but there was a creek running and breeze was blowing so I dint think it heard me. I wasn’t carrying bear spray so I decided to turn and pedal safely back up the trail to reduce the impact of the encounter. While riding yesterday I rode right passed a younger bear playing off the trail about 10 yards. I didn’t stop to see how the bear reacted but I always tell myself, “ if there’s a bear cub, there’s a bear mom near by. Regarding bear spray, I’m now of the mind set that it’s better to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it…

[canuckowl]

I grew up in Petawawa, Ontario. Site of one of the worst bear attacks ever. 3 young boys killed and partially consumed by a Black Bear. Every bear I ever saw growing up, and I saw a lot, ran from my sight...and I was just a young boy. So typically they do run away and avoid you. However, it takes just one. An injured one, a diseased one, one that is habituated to human garbage...I'd rather not take the chance. I spend quite a bit of time hiking in Eastern Canada and I encounter bears and their scat often enough. So often I find scat without sighting a bear and that shows you how adept they are at human avoidance. So even though I know I'm likely safe I carry bear spray and keep it handy. No point having it tucked away in your pack. Also, a few have mentioned the human element and that is not to be dismissed either.

[noehctuccmliw]

I've been unexpectedly confronted by a very aggressive deranged 'person' while out hiking... 'bear spray' ... NOT JUST FOR BEARS!

[rainr]

Great video! Maybe this was covered in the comments, but I'm going to cover it in mine. I'm in the Infantry and spend lots of time in the field. In 2020 through 2021 I came face to face with well over a dozen Black Bears, with and without cubs. I never had a problem with hostile action from them. That being said, I always carry bear spray. Why? Well these encounters were always with visibly healthy bears. Myself and colleagues have all been in situations where you run into an unhealthy animal. As an example; tick infested, visibly hundreds of ticks covering its face with puss coming from eyes, mouth and nose. This bear was very unwell, and unloading a full can of bear spray is the only thing that stoped it from a successful attack, and the attack was made.
There are many other situations that I could go into for example but won't. I hope this helps with broadening your opinion on carrying. Thx.

[Rpg_]

You’re gonna feel awfully silly if you’re ever in a situation where you need bear spray, but chose not to carry it because of money, weight, or some delusion that bears are friendly.

[xfallofmanx]

I keep a big pepper spray on deck and I also carry a concealed weapon where my license allows it....between sketchy people and wild animals I've got myself covered. I tend to live by the "you're the first responder to your emergency" motto so I also pack satellite gear and a big med response kit. I'd rather have the extra weight if it means peace of mind.

[mikelanham]

While jogging on an unmarked trail, I was mauled by a small, black bear with cub, two days ago. I fought her off to get away. I understand this behavior is rare, but I have bites and claw marks to show for not having bear spray. Sadly, she was killed by fish and wildlife police.

[CaliforniaCarpenter]

I lived up in the High Sierras for a couple of years up around 7, 000’. Unfortunately it was a community of cabins owned mostly by city folks and they were only around in the summer time. They’d feed the bears, specifically one big male who they thought of as a mascot. In the wintertime, spring and fall it was too cold for city blood and it was almost always just me up there. I had dozens and dozens of run-ins with that bear when he would come up onto my deck in the middle of the night and try and break into my shed where I kept trash until I had enough for a dump run. I’d get up, slam my fist into the big oak door to rouse him, grab the Remington and walk out. He never so much as even growled at me, he’d almost always just run away and sulk in the bushes up the hill, I could see the reflection from his eyes when shining the mounted flashlight at him. When he didn’t stop to sulk he’d just haul ass and disappear. I never pulled the trigger. I’d have to hike out in the early mornings to get to my car and I’d just carry a Glock, but it was cougars that worried me. Figured I’d share that, I say carry the bear spray in case you run into a starving bear that will chase you down for survival. Good video!

[tammymatt]

It is definitely necessary. I live in remote grizzly country. I have pepper sprayed three black bears in my front yard. When I'm bow hunting and cutting weight in my pack, i leave my .44 mag home. I never go anywhere without a can of Counter Assault tho. If you're thinking that its too bulky, bear country probably isnt for you. Its like having a force field if you use it right. Dan

[neostephens]

As the old saying goes, "better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it".

[deanevangelista]

I was a letter carrier for 16 years, and Halt spray is what I was issued to deter dogs from attacking. On some canines, it worked well, but others would come back for more. I would imagine a bear wouldn't be bothered by Halt.