Bear Repellant

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We are in a remote, wild area and often need to hike in. On occasion we have come very close to crossing paths with bear. One of the preventive measures I have come across suggests carrying a spray bottle of ammonia and spraying it in the direction of an aggresive or approaching bear. The theory is that the smell of the ammonia confuses the bear into thinking the sprayer is a super predator. I have thought that perhaps the bear might also get the idea that the ammonia is the stench of carrion, which they have been known to eat. Has anyone had any direct experience with this method, or heard of any pros and cons of such.

-- John Fritz (JohnFritz24@hotmail.com), July 16, 2001

Answers

Hi John,

I have heard that ammonia works also. When my boys and I went hiking in Alaska we took along those powerful squirt guns filled with ammonia. I also took along a can of pepper spray. Thank goodness we did not have to use it - so I don't know if it works.

A friend of mine said he would not go hiking in an area where you become part of the food chain.

-- Tom S. (trdsshepard@yahoo.com), July 16, 2001.


Both of these sprays have worked up in the Sierras(on the East side of the Mount Whitney Slope)on problem bears dumped there from Sequoia and Kings Canyon Nat'l Parks. However the problem with sprays is you have to watch the wind or they blow right back on you! I guess one isn't gonna pay much attention to the breeze if a bear is coming at cha though! :-)

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), July 16, 2001.

Wow... if you're in an area with lots of bears, I'd learn all you can regarding how to avoid putting them in any position where they feel threatened. I didn't know bears were agressive, and always thought they acted defensively when surprised by people. Bears are extremely fast... ask yourself if you could get whatever you have in your pocket out fast enough and calmly enough to actually use it. A spray bottle is good at a few foot range, learn what you can do to avoid getting that close... wasn't it jingling keys and noise which alerted the bear of your presence from a greater distance, and therefore not spooking it into feeling threatened????

cheers,

-- Max (Maxel@inwindsor.com), July 16, 2001.


The Nat'l Park Service recommends pepper spray against bears. They find it as irritating as humans do. All the rangers that have to deal with bears are now armed with it. Point the can at the bear and spray it into his face. Then run like hell! But be mindful of the fact that if the wind is blowing at you, you'll hit the bear, but you'll be suffering the effects too. Good luck.

-- Julie (rjbk@together.net), July 16, 2001.

When in grizzly bear country I would suggest that you wear small bells on your clothes to make a noise so you wont supprise a grizzly, they don't like surprises. Also the pepper spray has a good record at least survivers say it may work. Also you should learn the difference in the different bear sign. To the people that are not really outdoor type people that is bear poop. Black bear poop consist mainly of berries, and fur and bones from small rodents. Grizzly has lots of small bells and smells like pepper.

Not my joke just a good old one I remembered.

-- David (bluewaterfarm@mindspring.com), July 16, 2001.



Just remember that a bear can outrun, outclimb and outfight you. Bears are like people, they have good days and they have bad days. If a bear is having a good day, you won't need a spray, but if he is having a bad day, a spray may just agravate him more.

Walk with the wind and spray some ammonia occassionally and all critters will probably get out of your way. I have had two close encounters and both times I was able to ward off the bear with intense fear.

-- paul (primrose@centex.net), July 17, 2001.


This is a topic that interests me greatly as we've been having lots of bear attacks up here in Maine lately. They've attacked horses and outbuildings, even one woman's front door! They say it's because the berries aren't ripened yet. I know our property is in at least one bear's territory because we've seen the poop near a deer carcass and my girls were out in the barn one night and high-tailed it into the hayloft when they saw a bear and cub in the pasture. I want to go ride the trails behind my house, but I'm too afraid to, especially with kids! Any way to mark our property maybe? Maybe an amonia barrier? hehe

-- Epona (crystalepona2000@yahoo.com), July 17, 2001.

From what I understand, the most likely chance you have of startling a bear is at a stream - they can't hear you coming over the sound of the water, bells or no bells. Perhaps really loud conversation as one approaches a loud stream would help. I also heard - but don't know whether or not to believe - that you have a very slight advantage running down a steep hill, as bears have a harder time going down steep hills due to their center of gravity or something. Could be complete bull, and no doubt the advantage would be slight.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), July 17, 2001.

Earlier this week I was walking the Northwoods of Wisconsin with a city friend when we crossed paths with a black bear. My friend immediately pulled a pair of tennis shoes out of his backpack and began unlacing his boots.

“What are you crazy?” I asked, “you’re not going to outrun that bear!”

“I don’t need to outrun that bear”, he replied. “I only need to outrun you”

-- Dave (dbelanger@tds.net), July 17, 2001.


Probably not politically correct, but my system is a semi-auto shotgun. First shot is a load of #8 birdshot to take out their eyes, then 4 slugs to really slow them down. It is a really good system unless you have to explain it to liberals. Then again, this system also works on liberals! GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), July 23, 2001.


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