| Bears are becoming more of an issue in North | | | | available in your cooking area." |
| America. Think about it as the population | | | | HOW DOES IT WORK? This highly recommended |
| continues to grow where are people living? They | | | | outdoor self defense tool capitalizes on the bears' |
| expand their living space into previously | | | | ultra keen sense of smell. When a bear or |
| unoccupied areas-unoccupied at least by humans. | | | | mountain lion smells the OC pepper spray they |
| In many parts of the country that is bear | | | | are repelled. All pepper spray is oleoresin capsicum |
| country. | | | | (OC). Human pepper sprays are in the 10-20 % |
| The other factor that plays a big part in bear | | | | range. If you see a spray that claims it is 10-20 |
| encounters in residential areas is the FOOD | | | | % OC it is not a bear spray. |
| FACTOR. Especially as bears come out of | | | | HOW TO USE IT. The IGBC recommends:o |
| hibernation and before they go into hibernation | | | | "Remove safety clipo Aim slightly down and |
| they are looking for food. It could very well be | | | | towards the approaching bear. If necessary, |
| your food. Bears have an extremely sensitive | | | | adjust for cross wind.o Spray a brief shot when |
| sense of smell and are drawn to your food like a | | | | the bear is about 50 feet away.o Spray again if |
| magnet. | | | | the bear continues to approach.o Once the animal |
| Same with outdoor activities like camping, hunting, | | | | has retreated or is busy cleaning itself, leave the |
| hiking and fishing. Whenever you are in bear | | | | area as quickly as possible (don't run) or go to an |
| country it is just nuts not to carry bear pepper | | | | immediate area of safety, such as a car, tree, or |
| spray. The Sierra Club also endorses the use of | | | | building. Do not chase or pursue the animal." |
| this self defense product. | | | | Guard Alaska Bear pepper Spray contains nine |
| The IGBC (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee) | | | | ounces of spray-enough for a blast of nine |
| is a government agency working on bear safety | | | | seconds up to 20 feet away. For this product to |
| techniques. From their website they say; "Each | | | | be fully effective you must engulf the bear's nose |
| person should carry a can of bear pepper spray | | | | and mouth area. |
| when working or recreating in bear habitat. Spray | | | | Never purposely confront a bear. Be extremely |
| should be carried in a quick, accessible fashion | | | | cautious around bears. They are very quick |
| such as in a hip or chest holster. In your tent, | | | | despite their lumbering appearance. If you are in |
| keep bear pepper spray readily available next to | | | | bear territory it is almost a necessity to have |
| your flashlight. You should also keep a can | | | | some bear pepper spray nearby. |