• guyrocket@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    The bears can share the outdoors with people. This story is light on details but bear spray is considered the best defense against bear.

    I’ve camped many times in bear country and slept in a tent. I kept bear spray with me at all times and fortunately had no problems…knock on wood. Most of the time it is OK but you have to be intelligent about it. Don’t leave food out, carry bear spray, stay away from bear as much as possible, etc.

    Also, there are plenty of great outdoor places you can go that don’t have bear. Not saying they’re risk free, almost nowhere is risk free. But there are “safer” parks, etc. (not “safe”, just “safer”).

    I would never want to be only stuck inside. There’s too much amazing to see outside.

    • meco03211@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Bear balls! That’s what my wife and I use (along with bear spray and a 10mm). Little jingly balls you hook into your backpack. Now just walking makes a continuous noise.

        • meco03211@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Most wild animals don’t want random interactions with strange noises. They will avoid as much as possible. Grizzlies and black bears don’t usually “hunt”. I’m unsure how effective it would be with polar bears or if it would draw them in. But your prep for going to an area with polar bears should be not going to the area with polar bears.

      • amiuhle@feddit.de
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        1 year ago

        What’s the difference between black and brown bear poop?

        spoiler

        One has fruit stones in it, the other one contains bear bells.

        Edit: it makes sense to make oneself heard, the worst thing that can happen is quietly walking around a corner and there’s a bear with two cubs close by.

        Bear bells are a bit annoying and clapping or just talking to each other also works. Humans are not considered bait for bears and they will usually try to avoid you.

        There are good books about avoiding bear attacks when in the backcountry.

    • Very_Bad_Janet@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      Do you spray it directly at the bear? Or is it a kind of repellent that you spray on yourself/your tent? ETA: Thanks for your answers!

      • ikidd@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Never. Ever. Spray bear spray around your camp. There’s been plenty of incidents where that’s what drew them in and got people hurt/killed. It’s like cooking around your tent, they have to investigate the smells.

        • guyrocket@kbin.social
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          1 year ago

          Really? Got a link for info about that?

          I wouldn’t think you’d want to spray pepper spray anytime you’re not using it for defense. It usually blows around and there’s a good chance you’ll get some on yourself.

          I would only spray it if I had to.

            • guyrocket@kbin.social
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              1 year ago

              Thanks for the link.

              I would never have thought to ever do that. So if you ever do use it, you then need to leave the area. Which you probably want to do anyway because pepper spray is pretty unpleasant.

              • ikidd@lemmy.world
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                1 year ago

                Never occurred to me either. I’ve packed in bear country plenty over the years, never used spray even though I’ve had 2 grizzly encounters and countless black bear run-ins. Just lucky, I guess.

      • meco03211@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        It’s mace for bears. Usually much stronger than regular “mace”. Also the canister is designed to spray a longer distance (like 20 to 40 ft). Google some videos to see it in action.

      • amiuhle@feddit.de
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        1 year ago

        It’s really strong pepper spray, you spray it between you and the bear, towards the ground approx 10m from you I think. They do come with instructions though, please read them before use.