Bears are more active in the fall, so if you’re heading into bear country for camping or hiking this season, consider preparing for a potential encounter by carrying some bear spray. Whether you already carry a deterrent spray or plan to pick some up, remember that the can of spray is completely useless if you can’t access it when you need it or you don’t know how to use it properly when it matters most. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) created a couple of videos with tips on how to carry and use bear spray, and we think they’re worth a watch.
Videos by Outdoors
Why is this particularly important in the fall? Because bears are fattening up for the winter.
“[T]he fall season is when bears are more likely to be active due to hyperphagia,” says the National Park Service (NPS). “As bears prepare for the long season of winter, during which they will hibernate, they need to eat as much as they can to prepare to go months without food.”
Before you head out for an outdoor adventure in bear country, watch these two short videos showing effective ways to carry your bear spray and tips to remember when using bear spray.
Tips for carrying bear spray:
Best Bear Sprays
- SABRE Frontiersman MAX Bear and Mountain Lion Attack Deterrent
- Counter Assault Bear Deterrant Spray
- UDAP Pepper Power Bear Spray
- Mace Brand Bear Spray
- UDAP Griz Guard Bear Pepper Spray
Learn more about bear sprays here.
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Tips for using bear spray:
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