Research in Alaska indicates that bear spray reduces the number of bears killed in self-defense and reduces human injuries caused by bears.

“Bear spray has been used successfully to prevent injury to humans and bears,” said Tom Smith, an Associate Professor at Brigham Young University in Utah who studied bear spray while he was a wildlife ecologist at the USGS Alaska Biological Science Center in Anchorage.

In addition, Smith believes, after analyzing thousands of bear attacks and people’s responses that bear spray also benefits people by giving them a reason not to run away.

Of 42 cases where people ran when confronted by a bear, only two bears left without further interaction. In the other cases, bears chased the fleeing people and in some instances attacked and mauled them.

“Running did not bring about the desired outcome. Running should not be high on anyone’s list of options for dealing with a bear,” Smith said.

Yet confronted by a bear with no deterrent at hand, most people do panic and run.

Smith said bear spray helps people to stand their ground and that conveys a message to the bear that they are a “co-dominant” and unwilling to yield.

Another side benefit to bear spray is that the sudden, loud hissing of the spray and the billowing orange cloud can sometimes startle and even turn a bear before the spray reaches them.

The active ingredient in bear spray is an extremely strong irritant. It obviously turns the tables and makes the aggressor the victim, Smith said.

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee recommends the use of bear spray in addition to always following proper bear avoidance safety techniques.

IGBC bear spray recommendations can be found on the IGBC Web site , or go to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Web site at fwp.mt.gov under Wild Things and click on Living With Wildlife for more on living with bears .

When and where to use bear pepper spray:

  Bear spray should only be used as a deterrent in a confrontation with a bear.

  Bear spray is effective only when used as an airborne deterrent sprayed as a cloud at an animal at close range. It should not be applied to people, tents, packs, equipment or to the surrounding area as a repellent.

  Each person should carry a can of bear spray when working or recreating in bear habitat.

  Spray should be carried in a quick, accessible fashion such as in a hip or chest holster.

  In your tent, keep bear spray readily available next to your flashlight and a can available in your cooking area.

  Bear spray should be tested once a year. Do not test spray in or near a camping area, or on clothing or equipment. Be sure to check the expiration date on your can of bear spray.

How to use bear spray:

  Remove safety clip

  Aim slightly down and in front of the approaching bear. If necessary, adjust for cross wind.

  Spray again if the bear continues to approach.

  Once the animal has retreated or is busy cleaning itself, leave the area as quickly as possible (don’t run) or go to an immediate area of safety, such as a car, tree, or building. Do not chase or pursue the animal.

Here is another very useful from South Cox on “Hunting in Bear Country”.  For me I think that we need to change our habits while in backcountry. While I do believe that there is an increase in bear populations, I also believe there is an indirect correlation to bear sightings or encounters.

This would have to do with the climate change, not necessarily “Global Warming.”  The relation I believe, is that in the northwest (at least) where the cooler months are getting shorter, bears are are going into hibernation later. So, we as hunters, hikers and backpackers may encounter more bears during the early fall times with the bears eating on carcasses, last bit of bugs, berries, roots and the like. This is just a theory of course, as I am no way a biologist!

Following the bear mauling I experienced, you’d probably expect that I’d take every precaution available to avoid a repeat.  Because of the circumstances of the mauling: surprising the mother and cubs at close range, inside her comfort zone, I haven’t changed the way I spend my time in bear country much.  I recognize that it was really a freak accurance and that not every bear has intentions of making a snack out of me.  I don’t always hang my food, as recommended, but when I’m leaving my basecamp unoccupied I do.  I try not to stash food in my tent where I sleep, though I’m not as diligent about it as I should be.  I carry pepper spray, though I don’t have as much faith in the new stuff as the old.  I give sows with cubs a WIDE berth (which is probably the most significant habit I have changed).  I don’t carry a side arm, too much weight and not legal in many states during the archery season.  I think my encounter was one of those “struck by lightning” chance happenings.  I literally don’t loose any sleep over another encounter. 

Read the full article here.

The backcountry bowhunter who wrote this article is extremely knowledgeable on the “bivy” style hunting. Here is a teaser from last year’s first post on his blog.

South Cox’s goal in his blog is to help us learn the ropes of backcountry hunting. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or have never spent the night out in the wilderness, I think there will be something for everyone. I invite your questions, comments and critiques. The first several entries I plan on covering gear choices in greater detail than I was able to cover on the podcast. After that I’ll go into some specifics about mule deer hunting in the alpine. As I get input and feedback, the blogs will likely take off on other tangents of the readers’ interests.

Read the full article here.

Recently, some snowboarders got lost in the alps. The guy with the iPhone, Jason Tavaria, used the phone’s GPS to aid his rescue. Tragically, his friend did not make it.

Rescuers found the second lost person’s body at the bottom of a +60 foot fall next to a stream. The lost snowboarders’ friends kept in touch via twitter. It appears that while these skiers and snowboarders went off piste, none of them carried any sort of radio or satellite personal locator beacons, like the moderately priced SPOT. I mean, if you’re in the back country, chances are your cellular reception isn’t so great. The guy with the iPhone got off lucky being pretty close to a resort. Although the GPS function in any phone would work well in an open area to get someone reoriented. Either way, be safe during these storms, friends.

Read the entire article here.