Bear Spray as personal protection (was) RE: [at-l] I'm on a roll

[nealb at midlandstech.edu (William Neal)]

Does anyone know if "Bear Sprays" in general or one specific brand would
work on people?  Or would it be like that guy in the Steven Segal movie who
got sprayed with pepper spray and then sprayed it in his mouth.  If it works
on people, it seems like this would be an ideal double duty spray, and it
would add "plausible deniability" for those areas that get sticky about
carrying weapons: "But your honor, it was for wild furious bears and in a
panic I used it on that poor three-strike serial raping, murdering
cannibal."  Also, would it work on dogs and other possible wild animals?
And what about animals with rabies?

William, The Curious Turtle

PS	I once outran a pit bull, but it was a long ways off and the tree
was near.  But I hate running from anything.  Although I will gladly run
from Pekes.  They are really ferocious.
-----Original Message-----
From: Shane [mailto:shane@theplacewithnoname.com]
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2003 2:53 PM
To: KellyGoVols@aol.com; at-l@backcountry.net
Subject: RE: [at-l] I'm on a roll


> OK, next Q.  I think bears are the most cuddly, cutest things
> around.......As long as they are the Vermont Teddy Bear Company Kind.
> Otherwise, I'm scared to death of getting eaten by one.
> Is this a necessary worry?

No.  Being eaten by a bear is very unlikely.  If you DO manage to get eaten
by one, though, I would consider that to be a very good death.  A real and
true honor.  A pleasure almost.

Having said that, carry some bear spray just for laughs.  Carrying bear
spray won't kill you, and might save you.

  What measures should I take while hiking the AT?  I know from reading
journals that people don't often hang a bear bag, and often times sleep with
food in their tents.  What's everyone's opinion of this?  What precautions
should I take?

Bear bag, stay clean, and don't feed the critters.

Shane

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