When it comes to wilderness exploration, many people who encounter a bear feel grateful for having seen one. Still, the encounter can occasionally turn into a horrifying experience with a charging bear headed straight for you.
What you do in a bear attack can mean the difference between life and death for you and the bear.
Even though there is plenty of evidence from numerous studies that bear spray is the single most effective way to halt a bear attack, some hunters still feel safer protecting themselves with a gun.
But if you’re a hunter, and a bear is charging, should you grab your gun or bear spray first?
A recent grizzly bear attack in the Yukon has one hunter believing in the power of bear spray over a gun.
Stopped in its Tracks
Whitehorse resident Paul Burbidge recently went for a hike, taking his dog and his .22 calibre rifle to hunt grouse. While on the trail, he encountered a grizzly. Burbidge, an experienced outdoorsman, knew that once the bear saw him, the bear would likely retreat, but that didn’t happen!
Instead, the bear charged, stopping within a few feet of Burbidge. “It actually came closer to me, and I pushed it away with my gun. And then it seemed like it was escalating further, and I actually shot it,” Burbidge said.
Burbidge admits that a .22 calibre gun is not an effective bear gun, but the impact of the shot gave the bear pause, and Burbridge had time to drop his gun and grab his bear spray.
“I turned, and it was coming at me again, not like a full charge, but like closing the distance. And then it hung up again, and I was able to spray it — and it took off, like that,” he said.
“Once I had the bear spray out, I was like, pretty confident this is going to end it. So yeah, that’s what happened, thank God.”
Some hunters would argue that if Burbidge had a larger calibre weapon, the encounter would have ended with one charge… but also potentially with a dead or injured bear. Evidence from numerous studies of bear attacks shows that firearms are ineffective in halting charging bears.
The Case for Bear Spray
Bear spray, a highly concentrated form of pepper spray, is designed to create an aerosol cloud that irritates a bear’s eyes, nose, and respiratory system. This non-lethal barrier can deter the animal and give the user time to retreat.
According to a study conducted by bear biologist Tom Smith of Brigham Young University, bear spray was effective 92% of the time in deterring aggressive bear behaviour. The study, which looked at 83 bear spray incidents, showed that in most cases, the bear stopped its charge after being sprayed, and no humans or bears were seriously injured. “Bear spray works because it stops a bear’s sense of smell, which is one of its primary senses. It overwhelms them without causing permanent damage,” Smith explains.
Further research conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service suggests that people using bear spray during bear encounters were injured less frequently and less severely than those relying on firearms. This is partly because bear spray can be deployed quickly, covers a wide area, and doesn’t require precise aim under stressful conditions.
What About Firearms?
Firearms, particularly large-caliber rifles or handguns, are commonly carried by hunters and those in bear country who feel that lethal force may be necessary. In some cases, a firearm may stop a bear, but the effectiveness is not as high as one might think.
Studies show that while guns can be effective, they are not as reliable as bear spray in stopping an attack. The same study by Smith found that guns were only 55% effective in preventing bear-related injuries. This lower success rate is attributed to several factors. First, shooting a bear in a vital area, especially during a high-speed charge, can be incredibly difficult, even for experienced marksmen. Missed shots can lead to more aggression from the animal, increasing the danger.
Additionally, using a gun in a panic can create collateral risks. People under the stress of a charging bear may miss or wound the animal, leading to an even more dangerous situation. Misfires, malfunctions, or delays in unholstering or loading the gun can also be problematic.
Why Bear Spray Is Preferred
Multiple wildlife agencies, including the US National Park Service and the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC), recommend carrying bear spray over firearms in bear country. The IGBC states that bear spray is “easier to use under duress” and is less likely to escalate a dangerous situation. They emphasize that bear spray is the most effective tool for reducing the risk of injury for humans and bears.
Jim Welsh, Yukon’s hunter education officer, says bear spray is the best tool for staying safe in bear country.
“It’s non-lethal to the bear, extremely effective and commonly, stats in the U.S. say it’s more effective than a firearm. And I mean, that’s exactly what [Burbidge] encountered,” Welsh said.
Welsh says it’s not enough just to carry bear spray; you must also know how to use it properly and have it readily accessible and not buried in your pack.
“And a lot of people don’t do it [use bear spray] properly. It’s like, there’s never been a safety product that I’ve seen, that people are given with no training.”
Welsh recommends that people receive training on how to use bear spray and practice deploying it as quickly as possible.
The data is clear for those venturing into bear habitat: bear spray is far more effective in deterring attacks and preventing injuries than firearms. If you’re a hunter and a bear is headed your way, drop the gun and grab the spray; you’ll have a much better likelihood of surviving the encounter!
As Tom Smith puts it, “When you’re in bear country, the best protection isn’t about killing a bear—it’s about surviving the encounter.”
The video below explains all you need to know about how to use bear spray in an encounter.