I am heading out on a trip where we will be camping with our new Hybrid TT in the Adirondack and Laurentian Mountains. Normally when we tent camped or hiked in Central and Northern Ontario I would always carry Bear Spray, just in case. On this trip we will be crossing the Border between Canada/US and have never travelled out of province with Bear Spray. I spoke to the US Border Service and they said that as long as the Capsicum is 5% or lower we should be good crossing the border.I understand the weapon laws are more lenient than in Canada, where Bear Spray's use and transportation is restricted to activities and places where a bear could be a threat (ie not the mall) and can only be used to defend against a bear (ie not a mugger). But am unsure if the US laws regarding use, storage and transportation vary from state to state and if so, if there are things I need to know when travelling in the North East with Bear Spray ie does it need to be locked up when not in use, should it be visible (not concealed) when hiking, do you have to notify someone if you use it in defense against a bear??? Obviously common sense is key and only using it as a last resort, but I prefer to not spend an extended vacation behind bars in another country because of some rule I was unaware of.Thanks

For the most part, bear spray is 100% legal across the U.S. (Even in Hawaii where there are no bears). See the attached article for more information. I only carry it if I'm going to an area with a history of bear attacks. I'd really recommend it if you're going to locations that have grizzly bears.As for carrying it concealed or in the open, there are no rules about it, but just make sure you can access it very quickly if you encounter an aggressive bear. If I actually had to use it to deter an overly aggressive bear, I'd notify game and fish department of the state I was located in. The only exception would be if I was in a national park, I'd notify the park rangers.Bear spray info

I also carry good old large can of long distance WASP SPRAY in addition to my UDAP BEAR SPRAY holtster pack.... WASP SPRAY and heavy duty AX handle is available for me to use at my trailer door. My concern with the UDAP BEAR SPRAY cans is I am not 100% sure they will work everytime. They are so expensive I am hesitant of testing them to see if they work. My luck once they started spraying the canister would keep going until the can is dry...I have seen the UDAP Bear Spray canisters being used by the Rangers up on SKYLINE DRIVE local to us here in Virginia. The black bears turned and ran everytime...This is what I carry when camping in the Natl Forest areas. Roy Ken

I used to extol the virtues of wasp spray, but have reconsidered it's use. It's like using a gun to eliminate a threat, that could cause permanent damage, and there could be associated legal consequences. (I do have it available for those situations where legality is not an issue).I carry bear spray while hiking, and it would also be my first option for deterring a threat. I have carried it back and forth across the US/CDN border without issues.

If you're transporting bear spray and the can will be left inside the vehicle or trailer with the potential for heating inside, a can safe is a good idea. If the can bursts from heating, you'll play heck trying to get everything cleaned up. If you're close to the can when it bursts, oh heck, is that gonna' be a mess.

There are states where pepper spray is not allowed but Bear Spray is. From what I have read Bear Spray is OK in all states.

Travelling with Bear Spray | Good Sam Community

Gjac
Explorer III
May 23, 2014
westend wrote:
If you're transporting bear spray and the can will be left inside the vehicle or trailer with the potential for heating inside, a can safe is a good idea. If the can bursts from heating, you'll play heck trying to get everything cleaned up. If you're close to the can when it bursts, oh heck, is that gonna' be a mess.
Someone on this forum had posted how the bear spray exploded in his truck and it took forever to get it cleaned out.
1775
Explorer
May 22, 2014
There are states where pepper spray is not allowed but Bear Spray is. From what I have read Bear Spray is OK in all states.
westend
Explorer
May 22, 2014
If you're transporting bear spray and the can will be left inside the vehicle or trailer with the potential for heating inside, a can safe is a good idea. If the can bursts from heating, you'll play heck trying to get everything cleaned up. If you're close to the can when it bursts, oh heck, is that gonna' be a mess.
Pangaea_Ron
Explorer
May 22, 2014
I used to extol the virtues of wasp spray, but have reconsidered it's use. It's like using a gun to eliminate a threat, that could cause permanent damage, and there could be associated legal consequences. (I do have it available for those situations where legality is not an issue).

I carry bear spray while hiking, and it would also be my first option for deterring a threat. I have carried it back and forth across the US/CDN border without issues.
RoyB
Explorer II
May 22, 2014
I also carry good old large can of long distance WASP SPRAY in addition to my UDAP BEAR SPRAY holtster pack.... WASP SPRAY and heavy duty AX handle is available for me to use at my trailer door.

My concern with the UDAP BEAR SPRAY cans is I am not 100% sure they will work everytime. They are so expensive I am hesitant of testing them to see if they work. My luck once they started spraying the canister would keep going until the can is dry...

I have seen the UDAP Bear Spray canisters being used by the Rangers up on SKYLINE DRIVE local to us here in Virginia. The black bears turned and ran everytime...

This is what I carry when camping in the Natl Forest areas.

Roy Ken
TucsonJim
Explorer II
May 22, 2014
For the most part, bear spray is 100% legal across the U.S. (Even in Hawaii where there are no bears). See the attached article for more information.

I only carry it if I'm going to an area with a history of bear attacks. I'd really recommend it if you're going to locations that have grizzly bears.

As for carrying it concealed or in the open, there are no rules about it, but just make sure you can access it very quickly if you encounter an aggressive bear.

If I actually had to use it to deter an overly aggressive bear, I'd notify game and fish department of the state I was located in. The only exception would be if I was in a national park, I'd notify the park rangers.

Bear spray info

Forum Discussion

Travelling with Bear Spray

About RV Newbies

Related Content

Travel Trailer

Spray the roof

Travel trailer front lights stay on

Spray foam insulation

Bed liner - spray in