Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Major Bear Spray Failure: Carry A Gun !!!

As I posted somewhere earlier I used bear spray on aggressive dogs eight times over about a ten year period. To add context to that, that was a period in my life when I would frequently walk my then two blue heelers on long walks through my West Side neighborhood.

Loose dogs were frequent, and it was my observation that the inbound dogs were targeting my dogs more than me. Almost all aggressive-acting dogs on the street could be bluffed off through body posture and shouting. I prob’ly walked those dogs more’n 1,500 times during that decade, had to resort to bear spray IIRC jus eight or nine times.

Most times I missed the dog, the geometry of the spray can causes you to shoot low, it seemed the sudden blast and prob’ly unfamiliar odor startled the dog.

The one time the spray DIDN’T work was on a big female Rottweiler that came up unseen from behind after my dog. My dog ran in two big ovals trying to get away and yet stay by me and on each close pass I caught that rott full in the face at close range, twice.

About that time the apologetic owner came out, called off and leashedher dog. As we stood there talking, the dog did rub its face in the grass, prob’ly because of the sheer volume I hit it with, otherwise it didn’t act particularly distressed.

All of this to point out it might be just the sudden blast that startles the bear, not so much the capsasin itself.

Where are you hanging out that you're continually being attacked by dogs?

Where you live huh? For reals?

That’s a great pic! Thanks!

Where are you hanging out that you're continually being attacked by dogs?

That it is.

Always nice to see a string of mules with mantied loads.

Anymore bout all I ever run into is folks packing easy horses haphazardly loaded with bright orange plastic pack boxes and snap on panniers make of neon colored nylon.

Suppose it gets the job done but that gear will never have the same appeal for me.


I've rode out a lot of that Bob Marshall country and can typically recognize by the mountains or ridge lines where a photo was most likely taken.

I can't quite put my finger on where they were in this photo.
I'm guessing east side, Sun River or maybe even South Fork area where I spent a lot less time.

I don’t know him or where he lives but you could find all the grizzlies you wanted on or near a lot of the wind river and it’s tributaries.

Here in the Peace region (and other areas) it was just announced the Grizzly population has doubled since 2005, many (meaning all I speak with) believe that happened well before 2021 and that the population could well have quadrupled. Without a season, these encounters can only increase … time will certainly tell.

For those wishing to hear how quickly things can go south I will include a recent (2015) Grizzly attack on two sheep hunters in northern BC ( a little long so start at the 1:02 mark if desired, yes I know their rifles weren't at the ready).

Doc Roc, Sticks, and Birdw, all very interesting. Doc, special thanks for taking points and addressing them individually. Always informative.

Sorry, a pic of a pic here as it was ‘92 and pre-cell phone and it took effort to remember to take a pic. We watched grizzlies every day on this trip. It began when the outfitter flew over our tents, banked sharply to the right, and threw steaks out of the window of his Super Cub. But my eye was on a grizzly “standing” upright a hundred yards away, apparently, at least partly interested.

But the guide who placed his tent right next to ours had all the eggs, flour, and bacon and other goodies in it. His comment: “we’ve never had trouble yet.” 😊

Stricks;
Good morning to you sir, I hope the week treated you acceptably and all in your world are well.

Thanks ever so much for putting up that video, I hadn't heard of this chap or Corlane's channel even. It was excellent in all ways and very educational.