Topic: Best Bear Spray: Five Things to Consider (Read 56 times)
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This Guard Alaska bear repellent has a fogger delivery system which deploys bear deterrent at distances up to 20 feet from the user and has two firing options. That means you can spray in controlled bursts, or use the actuator system to empty the entire 9-ounce can in a single 9-second continuous spray. This repellent is endorsed by the Alaska Science and Technology Foundation.
Of course, time isn’t the only consideration when it co*es to bear repellant. Range is an important consideration when evaluating bear deterrents. Under ideal circumstances, you should begin deploying bear repellent when the charging bear is 30 to 60 feet away, so you have time to put up that cloud well before the bear is close enough to make contact
While some sprays offer a minimum of 15 feet effective distance, experts reco*mend choosing a bear spray with a range of at least 25 feet. Some products exceed this reco*mendation, reaching distances of 30 to 35 feet under ideal conditions. Wind can significantly affect the performance in the field, so pick a spray with a long effective distance if you’ll be in a windy area. A long effective spray distance ensures you can defend yourself even under terrible conditions—like a bear barreling toward you with the wind at your face.
After removing the orange safety tab, the Mace Bear Spray canister sends a cloud of capsaicinoids out to 35 feet. That makes it a good choice for anyone frequenting extremely windy bear country.
Bear spray works because the contents are under pressure, providing those long spray distances when activated by the user. However, pressurized canisters lose pressure over time, beco*ing less effective as they age.
Know the shelf life of a spray before you buy, but also look for the expiration date on the canister, since time may pass between the date of manufacture and the date of purchase. Bear repellent with shelf lives of three or four years may be a good value since these products can last over several seasons and won’t need frequent replacement.
Note that conditions such as extreme temperatures or rough handling can affect the life of the product. It’s important to inspect the canister every year and replace the product if it appears damaged.
This Counter Assault bear spray co*es in a leak-proof canister and remains effective for four years, extending the amount of time between replacements. It also produces a generous 7-second continuous spray and is the greenest option on the market as it meets the basic EPA standards plus the standards for the Clean Air Act.
As we mentioned earlier, bear spray must be easily accessible. But portability is another factor. A canister left at home because it’s too awkward to carry or otherwise take with you is totally useless.
Think about what you’ll be doing in bear country—hiking, fishing, hunting, biking—and choose a bear repellent that easily acco*modates your activity. For instance, if you’re on a mountain bike, you may not want to carry spray that can only be carried on a belt. That’s when the holster that co*es with the spray is just as important as the spray itself.
This 2% capsaicinoid bear spray reaches up to 30 feet. The included holster includes a clip, making it simple to carry the spray on a belt, a waistband, or a backpack strap. The holster has two mounting holes that allow it to be mounted on a bike, in a vehicle, or on a boat.
Bear spray was first developed in the 1980s as a part of the University of Montana Border Grizzly Project, run by Charles Jonkel and Carrie Hunt. Since that time, several co*panies have stepped into the bear spray market. Here’s a look at some of the brands that make up the industry.
Counter Assault isn’t just a co*pany that sells bear spray; it literally assisted in developing the first repellent that ever existed. The co*pany’s founder, Bill Pounds, worked on the University of Montana Border Grizzly Project to produce the prototype for the first bear spray. Pounds began selling the product in 1986, and in 1998, it became the first EPA-registered bear spray. With that significant history in research and development, it’s no surprise Counter Assault is a leader in the bear repellent industry.
Sabre was founded by Larry Nance in 1975 to produce tear- gas defense sprays. Eventually, the co*pany diversified to include pepper sprays, fire extinguishers, personal alarms, stun guns, and bear sprays. They introduced their Frontiersman line of EPA-approved bear spray in 1998. Sabre prides itself on giving back to the co*munity and donates some of its proceeds to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) and the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN).
Mace Security International formed in 1965 after founder Allan Lee Litman invented an aerosolized pepper spray for his wife to carry after being threatened on the street. The public co*pany focuses exclusively on personal defense and security products, including its EPA-approved bear spray.
Bear spray is one of those tools that you hope to never actually have to use, but having a canister with you is imperative if you frequent places with bear activity. Picking the best bear spray boils down to three things: a product optimized to stop a bear in its tracks, enough power to stop that bear well before it reaches you, and a method of easy access so that you can quickly and easily use it in an emergency. It’s one of those camping accessories you may never need, but when you do, you’ll be glad you had it.
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