Bear Spray

Carrying bear spray is an important way to stay safe while exploring the park.

NPS Photo / Kent Miller

 

Bear spray is a non-lethal tool specifically designed to deter bears. The active ingredient in bear spray is capsaicin, which is the chemical compound that makes chili peppers spicy. Capsaicin will irritate a bear’s nose, eyes, and lungs and can cause significant, temporary pain.

Unlike pepper spray intended to deter humans, bear spray reaches substantially further (up to 40 feet) and comes out as a cloud instead of a stream. Using bear spray eliminates the need to have precise aim and it effectively defuses situations without permanently harming or killing bears.

Bear spray is a last line of defense. It does not replace the need for following best practices to prevent encounters with bears.

How to Use Bear Spray

• Carry your bear spray where you can reach it quickly, such as in a waist holster or chest holster. Do not carry it inside your pack or in other hard to reach areas.

• If a bear is charging quickly, spray when the bear is 50–60 feet away to create a wall between you and the bear. Bears can run up to 40 feet per second, so creating a cloud in front of you provides time for the spray to affect the bear before it reaches you.

• If you feel threatened by a bear that is moving toward you more slowly, spray once the bear is within the manufacturer's stated range for your bear spray (usually 30–40 feet).

• When traveling through thick vegetation or other areas of poor visibility, remove your bear spray from the holster and carry it in your hand.

• Spraying into a strong wind will limit the distance the spray travels and will likely result in the user feeling the effects of the spray. However, the spray emerges from the can at over 70 mph and will probably still be effective.

• Bear spray is a deterrent, not a repellent. Do not apply bear spray to your body or gear.

 

Duration:

1 minute, 3 seconds

Bear spray is proven to be highly successful at stopping aggressive behavior in bears. Bear Management Biologist Kerry Gunther walks through the steps to deploy bear spray.