Originally Posted by Sitka deer
Originally Posted by Shodd
I thought it noteworthy that there are far fewer documented maulings when pepper spray is used to divert an attack vs a firearm!

Also the statement that was made about Treadwell shoulding have stayed in his tent is a mistake. The single best deterent to a predatory attack is direct and aggressive confrontation. Timoth was a weirdo however he understood bear psychology very well.

My guess is in this instance when he was eaten he slipped up and tried the sweet soft scolding tone he often used when he should have came off with immediate aggression.

One slipup and your eaten!

Shod


Sorry, total bullschit on the pepper spray... And how do they document a non-event? And then calculate a ratio of saves the in non-event arena?

Spray used at great distance is not proof it worked, at all. Most spray success stories are based on anything but real encounters. In my two personal first-hand experiences neither bear was saved by spray, though both were given chances.

Having spent more than a little time around bears I am not impressed by TT's experience or actions and predicted the result.


Most everything he (Shodd) mentioned doesn't jibe with what I've seen and know about bears either.

A bear that is wary is easily deterred. A bear that is curious or aggressive might just as readily stand it's ground against any form of aggression including sounds much louder than any human is capable of - including magnum handguns burning significant quantities of bear seasoning (110/296).

Perhaps he (Treadwell) might have survived that attack had he stayed in the tent and used bear spray in the enclosed space along with blankets/sleeping bags for his own spray protection, but that is only hindsight thinking which nobody has the opportunity for in those situations. The simplest solution would have been to keep a good rifle and/or revolver nearby and used them as needed.

Last edited by Klikitarik; 01/03/15.
Sometimes, the air you 'let in'matters less than the air you 'let out'.