| Bears are notoriously curious not necessarily | | | | grams. That is tip #2. |
| aggressive. They are however extremely | | | | 3. The spray should have a minimum spray |
| motivated by food. It is their very keen sense of | | | | distance of 25'. |
| smell that draws them to food out in the | | | | 4. The spray should have a minimum duration of |
| wilderness, at your campsite or in your backyard. | | | | 6 seconds. |
| It is this same keen sense of smell that makes | | | | 5. Always carry bear spray in bear country and |
| bear pepper spray so effective. | | | | be ready to use it. |
| Bear pepper spray is an effective deterrent in | | | | 6. When faced with a bear encounter, give the |
| reducing injuries from bear attacks both to the | | | | bear a chance to leave. |
| bears and humans. | | | | The bear pepper spray should be your last resort. |
| The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the | | | | 7. If an attack seems imminent spray slightly |
| regulatory agency controlling bear pepper sprays | | | | downward from 30-40 feet away. |
| by virtue of an act of Congress. That is tip | | | | This effectively creates a 'wall' of pepper spray |
| #1-look for the EPA registration on the bottom of | | | | between you and the bear. If the bear proceeds |
| the front label. | | | | thru the wall its' keen sense of smell is highly |
| All pepper spray is oleoresin capsicum (OC). | | | | repelled by the OC and will retreat. |
| Human pepper sprays are in the 10-20 % range. | | | | Just remember that wind, rain, even |
| If you see a spray that claims it is 10-20 % OC it | | | | temperatures can affect the spray and its' |
| is not a bear spray. | | | | effectiveness. |
| The EPA requires no more than 2 % of capsaicin | | | | If you follow these tips you can avoid a nasty |
| and a minimum size can of 7.9 ounces or 225 | | | | bear encounter and might even save your life. |