"The Sierra Club wants the Forest Service to require everyone who enters a national forest in grizzly bear country to carry bear spray," Spokeswoman Heidi Godwin said in a news release. "The proper use of bear pepper spray will reduce human injuries caused by bears, reduce the number of grizzly bears killed in self defense, and help promote the recovery and survival of the grizzly bear."
We don't necessarily approve of making new laws, but it does show how effective bear spray is against bears. Also, make sure that the spray you are using is registered with the EPA for use against bears. There is a special formula for this and ordinary pepper spray is not recommended.
No deterrent is 100% effective against an attacking grizzly, but compared to other counter-measures, including firearms, bear pepper spray has demonstrated the most success. In scientific studies conducted by University of Calgary grizzly bear expert Stephen Herrero, bear pepper spray was found to be 94% effective in deterring aggressive bears.
It's essential to avoid confusing "bear spray" or "bear pepper spray" with other pepper spray products. Many people mistakenly purchase and carry one of the numerous personal defense or law enforcement pepper sprays designed for use against other humans rather than bears. The products are definitely not the same! For defense against bruins, be sure you only purchase and carry bear spray products that meet EPA Standards and are clearly labeled "for deterring attacks by bears". Carrying the wrong product can create a false sense of security and put you at risk, when it doesn't perform as needed during a bear encounter.
To learn more about Bear Spray visit Protect Your Home and Family.
