Border crossing- Bear spray?

rjsurfer wrote:
I questioned a ranger at Yellowstone why he carried bear spray and a 9mm handgun. He said the bear spray was to show the tourists they were politically and humanely correct but the 9mm was reality.

Ron W.

What the US Fish and Wildlife Service has to say: Bear Spray vs. Bullets

2012Coleman wrote:
Does bear spray work?

Short answer: Yes

Long answer: Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska

georgelesley wrote:
We have crossed the Canadian border with bear spray. We showed it and since it had a picture of a bear on it and was titled "bear Deterrent" it was OK.

This has been my experience also.

Keep a can in the 5er that has been across the border many times. You can buy the stuff over the counter at many Canadian sporting goods stores.

I questioned a ranger at Yellowstone why he carried bear spray and a 9mm handgun. He said the bear spray was to show the tourists they were politically and humanely correct but the 9mm was reality.

Ron W.

Jim Shoe wrote:
Just get a good pair of running shoes and practice until you can outrun your traveling companion. :)

........but *not* the bear!!..:W

~

Just get a good pair of running shoes and practice until you can outrun your traveling companion. :)

We have crossed the border with bear spray but that was several years ago. Check before you go.
We were close to bear several times in both Banff and Jasper but never had to use the spray.

rockhillmanor wrote:

Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
Just read the instruction on the can. You have to be awfully close to that bear to hit it right. I do not think I would have the peace of mind to get the can out, aim it and shoot and hope for the best with a large bear charging at me.

And the larger problem being if you spray it and you are downwind. Heard that story plenty of times.

Uh, let me think. Grizzly charging vs maybe getting wind backsplash from bear spray.

I'll get back to you.

I was going to suggest using bear bangers but I see from D&M's link, they are considered a firearm in the USA. Ironically I purchased my bear bangers from a work clothes store in Naniamo B.C.

So, the USA has stricter bear banger laws than Canada...who knew? More bears is likely the reason.

An air horn is another possibility.