In light of the recent bear attacks in my home state, Montana, many conversations have arose among hunters, hikers and recreationalists alike about what is the most effective way to counter an assault by a bear. One particularly harrowing story is of a man named Todd Orr, who was attacked by the same grizzly bear twice near Ennis, Montana. Todd videoed himself after the attack, before he had received medical treatment, warning people to “be safe out there”. The controversy around Todd’s encounter arose because before his attack, Todd sprayed the bear with his entire can of bear spray, yet was still mauled. Many people took this incident to mean that bear spray is not effective, however, according to many studies bear spray, though not 100% effective, is the best way to detour a bear in the event of an attack.
According to an article "Research: Bear spray stops angry grizzlies better than guns," written in the Missoulian Paper by Rob Chaney in 2012, the two activities that provoke the most bear attacks are hiking and hunting. These activities arguably the most popular forms of outdoor recreation in Montana. This means that at any given time there are a lot of individuals out in bear-county. For myself, a hiker, bear spray is a lighter weight option for protecting myself against aggressive bear encounters. For the hunter, who is likely already carrying a firearm, the question arises whether a clear, fast and accurate shot is possible when facing an aggressive, unpredictable and even charging bear. Bear spray, when attached to clothing or a backpack properly serves as an easy-access defense and sprays a wider area, making it more likely to make contact with a charging bear than a bullet. This claim is not without backing. According to the same article in the Missoulian, bear expert, Stephen Herrero, was involved in two separate studies that looked at the effectiveness of bear spray and firearms in bear attacks in 98% of the attacks where bear spray was used instead of a firearm, individuals walked away from encounter unharmed and one-one was killed. Meanwhile, when firearms were used, 56% of people were injured and 61% the bears involved in the attack perished.
Dr. Stephen Herrero’s findings are also supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. According to their" Bear Spray vs. Firearm Factsheet," the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been investigating human-bear encounters since 1994 and found that people defending themselves against grizzly bears with a firearms, are injured approximately 50% of the time. Comparatively, people defending themselves with bear spry, often walk away unharmed and, in the event of a mauling, experienced attacks of shorter duration and less severe injuries.
However, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supports the pepper spray policy of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, which states that bear spray is not a substitute for awareness and bear avoidance techniques. Prevention is the best method of protection against bear attacks. No deterrent is 100% effective, but compared to all others, including firearms, bear spray, when used properly is the best method for preventing injury as well as animal and human death in the event of a bear attack.
