Bit of an exaggeration. Carried one in the Yukon. Was about the size of a water bottle.
As for bear bangers, if banging on pots works then they should too. I suspect there's rules against them in campgrounds though if that's where your camping.
bear repellent
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Bit of an exaggeration. Carried one in the Yukon. Was about the size of a water bottle.
As for bear bangers, if banging on pots works then they should too. I suspect there's rules against them in campgrounds though if that's where your camping.
Considering most those stories aren't in Ontario, I'm not worried. Only time I've been with armed guides was in polar bear country.
Lots of nuisance bears are around. The great majority of them are problems, not because they are looking to attack people but because they are looking for food. If you feel the need to carry a gun to defend yourself from a nuisance that's your call but with 30something years camping, I see no need around black bears.
Actually the number is 50% of the attacks were in Ontario .
Sudbury Aug. 2015
Matheson July 2015
Sioux Lookout July 2014
Thunder Bay 2014
Sandbanks Provincial Park 2013 -Guy was sitting on a picnic table after taking his dogs for a walk
Timmons June 2013
Cochrane 2013 - guy was siting on his deck when the bear attacked , he ran into the cabin , bear followed him in and out , 300 stiches
Sioux Lookout - May 22 2013 guy was taking a dump in an out house and the bear dragged him out . Lucky his friend had a rifle and shot the bear . Bear was dragging the guy into the bush
Chapleau Ont 2005 - Lady doctor was attacked by a black bear . Her husband got the bear off her . Sadly she died . 2 week camping trip. I added that one to the list
Every one has a different opinion on how to be safe . I tend to listen to the locals up North in how much protection I need . They live in the area unlike city slickers .
I have been camping for over 30 years as well in bear country . I have seen what damage a bear can do . Good luck with a can of bear spray if that's all you think you need . By the way all of these incidents were caused by BLACK BEARS . Even the one's that had a guy sitting in an outhouse and the guy sitting on his deck minding his own business .
Bear spray is more effective than a firearm in deterring a bear. There's stats on that. Firearms don't always work, easy to miss or fail to hit a vital organ. Bears have thick skulls so even a headshot can deflect, if it's not straight on.
Bear spray blankets a large area with and is much more likely to be effective on short distances, harder to miss. People are also more likely to spray a bear than shoot, since it's ultimately not going to leave the bear with any permanent injury. The spray can is also a lot lighter and easier to carry so you are more likely to have it when you need it. A firearm in your tent or pack is useless when a bear is charging at you.
That said, like I mentioned, it wears off and if the bear comes back again you will want a gun. Spray on the first attack, shoot if it comes back again.
Bear spray blankets a large area with and is much more likely to be effective on short distances, harder to miss. People are also more likely to spray a bear than shoot, since it's ultimately not going to leave the bear with any permanent injury. The spray can is also a lot lighter and easier to carry so you are more likely to have it when you need it. A firearm in your tent or pack is useless when a bear is charging at you.
That said, like I mentioned, it wears off and if the bear comes back again you will want a gun. Spray on the first attack, shoot if it comes back again.
Mortality rates after bear attacks are high. During an attack by this ferocious, determined, faster moving than any human wild animal, it is unlikely that the victim could deliver sufficient spray into the bruins face to thwart the attack. Also survival is most primary humans instinct during a bear attack, not hurting the bear by using spray and not a firearm is secondary. A Disneyland mentality has no place in the wild. Spray primarily gives psychological comfort only. Deep in bear country, the most effective weapon at close range would be a shot gun blast to a bear's face rather than spray if survival is one's primary instinct and one is lucky enough to even get a shot off !
Wonder how the frequency of bear attacks in the country compares to dog attacks in the city, or of pedestrians taken out by cars.
Would be more concerned knowing my fellow campers are nervous and armed with high powered rifles, than about bear attacks.
Edit. In one day 16 pedestrians were taken out by cars in Toronto. Is no wonder the country folk are nervous when coming into the city.
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/ne...cidents-unprecedented-amid-toronto-rain/59085
You should read them because many of them are not attacks but complaints about nuisance bears.
Considering the number of people living, working, or vacationing is serious bear country and there are a dozen incidents over more than a decade, it puts things in perspective. Carry a gun if you want (where it is allowed) but I don't even feel the need to carry bear spray in Ontario. I'm not an ultralight camper but I see no need to carry a couple extra pounds because there have been a few cases in our massive province.
First you claim that most of those attacks were not in Ontario when in fact at least half of them were . The only nuisance complaints were in the Sudbury area so the rest were attacks . At the top of the page it says " bear attacks " not nuisance complaints .
All those examples I put up were attacks on humans not nuisance complaints . I don't know what you're reading but definitely it's not the article that I put up . I was just informing the OP what I do for protection in bear country . Now if someone wants to carry only bear spray or nothing at all then again so be it . We all have a different view in how to be safe .
Many bear attacks are not reported so there are more then what we are lead to believe . There is a rule in Northern Ontario that the locals have . It's called the 3 S's rule . Shoot , shovel and shut-up .
This is just untrue. You are FAR more likely to get the spray into the bear's nose and eyes than you are too hit him with a shot that counts. And bear spray is VERY effective at temporarily deterring a bear. Very.
Sure if a bear is charging at you, it's a shitty situation and no matter what you face some significant odds of injury. But if you had a rifle on your back, and a can of spray on your belt, you are MUCH better off going for the spray first. Then get the rifle ready in case the bear comes back.
I have actually walked around in woods with a rifle on my shoulder and a can of spray on my belt. I can get to the can MUCH faster, and I'm not in the habit of keeping a live round in the chamber so I'd have to cycle the action to shoot as well.
If we allowed handguns in the woods you MIGHT be able to argue you could draw a.45 fast enough, but it takes a LOT of practice to learn how to do that without shooting yourself in the thigh. Unless, again, you don't keep a round in the chamber...
In any case spray is temporarily going to cause the bear to retreat and hopefully go away. If he doesn't go away, it at least got you time to get your firearm at the ready.
Handguns or pistols would be ineffective against bears for the most part and are not used for hunting or defence. Handguns would be deemed as inhumane as well as they would likely only wound the bear and cause undue suffering but not immediate death if any death at all. I know of a couple living in Churchill Manitoba who tell me that they and many of their neighbours have loaded shotguns ready during the annual polar bear migration to blast marauding bears that have been know to attempt to enter households. Also having spent some time in the NWT, locals there often had shotguns for the same reason as well with the tourist hikers being the ones relying on bear spray.
Some types would be much more likely to die of fear while walking around in Jane & Finch at night then by gun play. Maybe they carry bear spray on them even?
I have some bear spray up at the cottage and one canister I think at home. Bought it from someone who was in the security business and who sold from a flea market as well. (I've gifted little dog repellent sprays to ladies for personal protection. If you jog in the park, might even be a good idea for guys too against a dog attack, etc.).
I'm glad that SFT chimed in with a current vendor in T.O. There was a guy in Woodbine Mall who sold dog repellent, etc. (Knife store), but haven't checked recently.
BTW, using such sprays on human attackers is considered illegal (that is, the spray is considered a weapon). However, if was a life or death situation, that might be a mitigating circumstance.
The only bears I've encountered were black bears munching at northern garbage dumps. Basically, stay away, especially from cubs, and they'll leave you alone. Advice above about clean camp sites, etc. is also good.
I'm glad that SFT chimed in with a current vendor in T.O. There was a guy in Woodbine Mall who sold dog repellent, etc. (Knife store), but haven't checked recently.
BTW, using such sprays on human attackers is considered illegal (that is, the spray is considered a weapon). However, if was a life or death situation, that might be a mitigating circumstance.
The only bears I've encountered were black bears munching at northern garbage dumps. Basically, stay away, especially from cubs, and they'll leave you alone. Advice above about clean camp sites, etc. is also good.
Nope. Not in Canada. It is illegal in Canada to carry any weapon for self defense. Don't know if cops would hassle women about them but they are illegal to carry.
Dog spray and bear spray are legal but you can be charged for assault with a weapon if you use it on a person. Theoretically you can be charged for carrying it if the police don't believe you have a legitimate use.
You can't carry a firearm in Canada for self defense against other people. You CAN carry one for defense against wildlife.
The same is true of kitchen knives. Perfectly legal for chopping up vegetables but if you carry a kitchen knife around for the express purpose of self defence you can be charged for carrying a weapon dangerous to the public.
Intent matters. Carrying bear spray in bear country to protect yourself from bears: legal. Carrying the same can on the street in Toronto to protect yourself from hoodlums: illegal.
Most gun clubs in Ontario are outdoor ranges . Not many clubs supply guns for people to walk in and shoot ( I don't know of any that do that ). If you do go to one that has guns for the public to use your not going to be able to use their guns every time you want to shoot . Sooner or later your going to have to join the club and buy your own stuff . It's like shit or get off the pot thingy .
Joining a club means that you'll have to take their gun safety course even if you already have your PAL ( license ) . If you have no PAL ( license ) then you have to get one. Once you pass their course then the club will apply for your ATT ( license ) which will allow you to transport your hand gun in a safe manner to and from the club . You don't need an ATT for shotgun or rifle . Even if your only going to shoot shotgun or rifle you still have to take their club safety course .
A PAL is a license which lets you purchase a gun and ammunition . You must take a course to get a PAL and if you wish to buy a hand gun then another course needs to be taken for hand guns . When purchasing a hand gun the store will ask you what gun club you belong to . That question is on the application . NO gun club membership , No gun . Why would you need a hand gun if you don't belong to a gun club . This question is asked every time you wish to purchase a hand gun .
To get your PAL the RCMP does background checks on you to see if your a bad person . Don't pass the background checks and your not getting a PAL. Getting your PAL means that you have taken a safety course so now you will know how to safely handle a gun . In some States they do a background check but a safety course is not mandatory like it is in Canada . Canada ... safety course and background check .
Your PAL is good for 5 years . After that you need to apply for a new one ( $80.00 for a restricted PAL ) . Again background check is done to see if you have been a bad boy. The Feds want to know if your married or you have lived with someone in the past year ( could be 2 not sure ) . They want names and phone numbers of these people . They can call and check with that person or persons to see if you have been a good boy . Heaven help you if you had a bad break up or divorce with a common law wife in that past year and she gives the Feds a line of garbage that you have threated her in the past .
It doesn't matter how much property you have . It could a 1000 acres in the middle of no where your not allowed to shoot any hand gun on that property . Only at approved regulated gun clubs . Rifles and shotguns are a different matter . Those you can shoot ( target or what ever ) anywhere as long as your not breaking any municipal by-laws .
As for gun clubs , not many are taking in new members . Some of them like the one in Burlington or North of Orillia can take years before you can join.
Owning a hand gun in Canada is easy . As long as you want to jump through hoops and take a whole bunch of safety courses . Don't forget you have to be a good person to pass the background checks . That's why gun owners in Canada are the nicest people that you can meet . They have to be or they will loose their privilege to own a gun.
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