How to Use Bear Spray

Grizzly bear eating soapberries

Many of us carry bear spray while traveling in bear country.  But do you know how to use it? 

I always make a point at the start of the summer to inspect my bear spray (it has an expiration date) and practice a drill for using it.  I don’t actually discharge the spray when I practice, but I make sure of the following:

• I can reach it easily when I carry it while wearing my backpack(s)
• I can quickly remove the safety
• I am comfortable with the weight of the can so I can aim it accurately

My first plan when dealing with bears is to avoid confrontation.  The bear spray is a fallback.  And it takes only a few minutes of practice to help me feel confident that I can deploy it in an emergency.  It sure beats my last option — to give the bear indigestion!!

Here’s a video that shows how to use bear spray if confronted by a dangerous bear.  It’s produced by the Be Bear Aware Campaign.  It shows good practice when using the spray and details how to use it at different distances.  Enjoy!

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