How to Use Bear Spray

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By Monteath
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If you see this up close, you're going to want to know how to use bear spray

Bear spray is called by many names, including bear mace, bear pepper spray, brown bear spray, bear repellant - but when a grizzly bear charges you'll want to know how to use bear spray correctly.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Bear spray

Step 1

Understand that you use bear spray to repel a direct bear attack, not as a preventive measure like bug spray. NEVER spray bear spray on yourself or your gear.
Step 2

If a bear charges or is stalking you, spray the bear spray once it gets to around 40 feet or so away from you. Use the bear spray by spraying so that it gathers in a cloud between you and the bear. Beware of wind direction.
Step 3

Don't spray one puff - continue to spray the cannister so a cloud forms. A bear's nose is extra sensitive, so this will be a huge deterrent that usually convinces the bear to turn and run.
Step 4

If the bear stops close and still acts aggressively, aim for the face, mouth, and nose. A second blast will usually finish the job.

Tips & Warnings

Practice using bear spray before going into a wilderness area. It's easy to panic with a bear charging, and knowing how to use bear spray ahead of time will definitely help.
Don't goof around with using bear spray. This stuff is far stronger than mace, and you do not want to get sprayed with it.

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