subject: Outdoorsmen: The One Thing You Must Carry When Going Into The Back Country [print this page] There is nothing more invigorating than a hike in the great outdoors spring or fall day. The fresh air and sunshine can really regenerate you. Many families in the United States gravitate to camping for the same reasons. Fishing and hunting are two of the most popular sports especially for men in America. More and more women are getting involved as well.
National and state parks will soon be overflowing with professional and amateur outdoorsman. Whether you an experienced outdoorsman or a novice there is one thing that you absolutely need to carry when you go into the back country: have your bear spray handy.
No matter whether you're a hunter, a fisherman, a camper, a hiker or anyone who likes to explore the back country never leave your home without bear spray. It is the best way to prevent bear attacks.
Especially in the spring or fall, bears can get particularly aggressive as they search for food coming out of hibernation or getting ready for hibernation. And don't let the size of bears or the caricatures of them being slow lumbering animals fool you. Bears can move very quickly, sometimes without notice. But usually they will size you up and advanced slowly. That is when you need to have your bear spray in your hand.
Bears have extremely sensitive noses as to mountain lions, coyotes, cougars and other animals that you may encounter outdoors. It is this extreme nose sensitivity that draws them to food. If they smell food and you are in the way you are in extreme danger.
Of course you should avoid bears at all costs. If you do see a bear approaching don't try and outrun it-that just won't work.
You should test your bear spray at least once a year to make sure that is still working. Carry the bear spray, preferably in a hip holster so you have easy access and can reach it quickly.
If a bear should approach you, the idea is to create a wall of mist with the spray so the bear as he continues to advance literally walks into the wall of pepper spray. This technique has been proven time and time again to be the most effective. Give the bear a warning spray and spray again if the bear continues to advance. Make sure you take the wind direction into account. You don't want the spray to come back and hit you and your family.
If you use it one time throw it away. There's a reason why the EPA requires 9 oz.
The moral of the story: like that old green credit card commercial-don't leave home without it.
