subject: What Is Bear Pepper Spray? [print this page] What Is Bear Pepper Spray? What Is Bear Pepper Spray?
Any time you are planning an outing in to the wild land especially in areas known for having large bear populations it is always smart to take a canister of bear pepper mace along with you. Bear pepper mace is also referred to by others names such as bear pepper spray, animal repellent, bear mace, bear spray and bear deterrent and are in essence the same thing. Bear pepper mace is an animal deterrent used to discourage a ferocious hungry bear or some other large predator that is threatening your safety.
Studies show guns aren't necessarily your best option when facing down a bear. A Brigham Young University bear biologist Thomas Smith and his team analyzed 20 years worth of bear incidents in Alaska, and found that the wilderness equivalent of pepper spray effectively stop aggressive bear behavior in 92% of the cases, whereas guns only did the trick 67% of the time. Bullets don't always thwart an attack. Why? Because it's difficult to stop a charging bear with a gun and wounded bears are more likely to become even more aggressive. Bear pepper spray doesn't require you be as accurate.
Bear mace spray is made from a naturally occurring, harmless substance found in hot pepper plants called Oleoresin Capsicum (OC). OC is the active component that makes peppers hot. Bear mace is a non-lethal defense against bear attacks. Similar to mace or pepper spray used on humans, but obviously much stronger since this stuff is designed to stop a grizzly dead in its tracks. Only EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approved bear sprays may be sold as deterrents against bears and have specific minimum requirements that must be met.
What pepper spray for bears does is cause an extreme burning sensation as it hits the eyes, nose and mouth of the bear. In most cases, the bear will make an instant retreat in effect stopping the beast in its tracks as it attempts to deal with the burning pain. The discomfort the bear undergoes will not be permanent wearing off after thirty or forty minutes giving you or the bear plenty of time to high-tail it out of there.
Encountering an aggressive grizzly can be very scary and is certainly life threatening. Bear spray is the only proven deterrent against bears and other wild animals. It is wise to make it a habit to always take a canister along, one for everyone in your group, whenever you venture out into the wilderness. You never know when it will be needed. It's best to be prepared.
