Helpful Ideas for Alaskan Travels

Passin Thru wrote:
Bear Spray? Whats that? Deodorant for a bear? They won't blink if you have a chance to spray them and you will be mauled if a bear is that close. I work with a number of people who have spent many years in the woods here in AK. One actually used bear spray many times in his work to try and chase off bears. His expereince was that it worked on some bears but some bears weren't effect at all by the spray. He carries a firearm as do the others

Bear spray is required in some areas. My son had to carry it on his last job. He had few close calls, but never had to use it. The spray has a life span of ~ 6 months. It is only sprayed in the face of a charging bear. National parks and provincial parks do not allow firearms! We carried it when we canoed the bowron lakes - never had to use it!
Some morons think you spray it around you to deter bears. The pepper itself will attract bears as will most foods and perfumes.