Bear Spray

[gman1]

What is a good or better yet, what is the best bear spray to carry with you and the best place to purchase a few canisters?


Thanks and Merry Christmas

 

[Tim McCoy]

http://bestpepperspray.net/best-bear-spray-reviews/

 

[Bcon]

I bought a 2 pack of counter assault from Cabelas for my daughter on her trip to Glacier…I think I had looked at the above link as well. One of those things you hope you never use.

 

[sheephunter]

Along the same lines, does anyone know the recommended life expectancy of a canister of bear spray? I have a canister I've ben carrying around for years, so is it a good idea to replace it at a certain time interval?

 

[RICMIC]

I can't give you a definitive answer, but I wouldn't trust my life to a canister that is more than two years old. I know as a police officer, that the OC canisters were generally useless much after that. Once you use it, for any reason, then replace it and use the old one to practice with it. Put up a piece of cardboard 15-20 feet away, and let loose. You can clearly see the pattern, but watch the wind. Practice quick deployment from your carry position. I just watched an episode about two guys who were severely mauled by a Griz in Canada. They had spray, but had left the safety tape on both canisters. Eventually, the second guy was able to spray the bear and that ended the attack.

 

[Bcon]

I'm pretty sure on the two that I purchased for my daughter that they had an "expiration date" on the can. I know that I told her to check it, not knowing how long some are on the shelves.

 

[Hilltop]

I can't give you a definitive answer, but I wouldn't trust my life to a canister that is more than two years old. I know as a police officer, that the OC canisters were generally useless much after that. Once you use it, for any reason, then replace it and use the old one to practice with it. Put up a piece of cardboard 15-20 feet away, and let loose. You can clearly see the pattern, but watch the wind. Practice quick deployment from your carry position. I just watched an episode about two guys who were severely mauled by a Griz in Canada. They had spray, but had left the safety tape on both canisters. Eventually, the second guy was able to spray the bear and that ended the attack.

The canisters I have had all had expiration or replace by dates. When I was guiding, I replaced my canister yearly and used the old one for practice as mentioned above. Great advice...

 

[sheephunter]

OK, I just grabbed my canister; it took a couple minutes of examination but I did find an expiration date-I've been carrying it around for about a year and a half past expiration. Looks like a trip to Sportsman's Warehouse is in order.

I don't sleep well, so usually around 4AM I'm headed down the street for a 2 mile power walk. Years ago on one of my morning walks I found a couple piles of bear doody on the street (he'd been eating apples) so that's when I started carrying bear spray.

Using the old one for a training session is a great idea.

 

[hoshour]

Counter Assault is the original and the one the rangers use in Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks. You can buy it at their website or in all 50 states. Rather than list the reasons check out their website, especially the top video. http://counterassault.com/bearspray.htm

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I prefer UDAP.

 

[mnhoundman]

I bought a can in Wyoming this fall it is frontiersman brand, it has a 3 yr. Life. It was 50.00 for a 9 oz. Can! Ya forgot to get it before hand, so had to pay the price in hoback junction! Not a good place to buy it, lol. Camofire has it quite often also.

 

[woodtick]

I prefer a Benelli M4 loaded with Hornady critical defense buckshot for a bear deterrent!