Minute Out In It: A Bear Spray Story

What's it like to use bear spray? Three employees share their story about a surprise encounter with a grizzly in Yellowstone. Produced by NPS/Neal Herbert.

[@JamesP29]

"We yelled at her hey bear, hey bear to make her feel comfortable." When she went back to her cubs, that's the time to stfu and slowly walk backwards.

[@williamcooke6056]

Exactly, they needed to put distance between them, not just stand and shout. A Bluff Charge is a Bear's Warning Shot, and they ignored it. Wow, ignorance on display.

[@paulleavell4317]

It was probably the yelling that pissed her off!

[@TheRivrPrncess]

Totally agree

[@chaparra71]

Come on guys! Who doesn’t feel comfortable being yelled at? 😂

[@smudent2010]

@@williamcooke6056 or carry a gun and have no problems

[@valkry007]

"trying to make her comfortable at the time" The bluff charge was her telling you to leave, the second charge was because you did not take heed and leave immediately.

[@JP-jn2yx]

Agreed. The whole appear big, yell, make eye contact, and slowly back away facing the bear advice all seem to be actions that would further agitate a mother bear that simply wants you away from her cubs.

[@NewOrleansSeptember]

@@JP-jn2yx Nothing will work to keep them away from you if they're hungry.

[@WillBravoNotEvil]

Really? How many bear encounters have you had? Which species? Your AVI suggests panda. Probably acrylic.

[@WillBravoNotEvil]

@@JP-jn2yx Based on WHAT? All these confident opinions with nothing to distinguish you.

[@JP-jn2yx]

@@WillBravoNotEvil Based on that video. It made me wonder, if a sow simply wants you away, why would you stand there screaming and waving your arms? Would you take all advice the authorities give you as gospel? They also say to lay flat with your legs out. The guy in Montana that was attacked twice swears that tucking his legs under him saved his legs from getting chewed up. I'm just a guy in the KZbin comments section, seems that is lost on you. Go ahead and share how distinguished you are smart guy.

[@orangecrush5512]

For the life of me, I can't figure out how the bear didn't calm down when they were all yelling, "Hey bear! Hey, bear!"

[@Albisriede]

I had similar thoughts when they said that ;- ) There seems to be a 'hey Bear' culture.

[@LL-vj5yp]

👏👏👏👏😂♥️

[@rrtds9378]

I don't think it understands English. It's more for hearing and probably got even annoyed. Still always need to make some noise.

[@AKHWJ3ST]

@@rrtds9378 It's pretty obvious the bear didn't speak English. Should have tried Spanish or French?

[@kcrob1977]

Seems to me the bear just wanted to know why someone is calling for her.

[@Rectitude4U]

“Trying to make her feel comfortable…” 😂😂😂 Dude, you’re a meatsicle.

[@timmchugh3122]

LOL!!

[@bencuraza6503]

Politically Bear Correctness 🐻😱

[@NewOrleansSeptember]

@@bencuraza6503 They always say if you stay away from a bear and her cubs they will leave you alone. That is true only if they're not hungry. If they're hungry they will come for you.

[@jsims1617]

Greg- for sure. Have these nutbars never heard of a 30.06 ?

[@moonjumper66]

Yeah....hey bear .

[@k.chriscaldwell4141]

In additions to bear spray, a friend of mine carries one of those twistup sun blockers (Like the KINDER FLUFF) designed for use inside one's car behind the windshield. He deploys it upon the first knowledge of or sighting of a bear and waves it about. This dramatically increases his size and makes it seem like he's agile. He's said that he has deployed it twice to great effect. He says that what seems to have gotten the bears attention the most is holding and moving it up and down with his left hand with the long side parallel with his body, the flat side pointed to front, and about two thirds of it above his head. This increases his profile by about three feet. In his right hand is his bear spray, ready to go. He fly fishes in Montana and around. He said the first time he deployed the screen/shield was when a bear came up on the opposite bank of a wide stream, looked at him, and then ambled down the bank of the stream unconcerned. He got his spray ready, and then deployed the screen/shield. When he stuck it up over his head and jerked it up and down, he said the bear nearly had a heart attack, turned and left with haste. He said it was as if the bear had sized him up, determined he could take him, but was surprised when he proved to be much larger than anticipated. Something to think about.

[@luceatlux7087]

i've wondered about that kind of thing. i wonder if you had, just for hypothetical instance, some pop-up costume that made yourself into a gnarly looking wolfman-scorpion with a huge mouth opening to giant fangs along with long, overhanging rubber stingers above and out to the sides, etc. would this scare the poop out of them? it would be a fascinating experiment to see what worked best. what factors are we primarily looking at to induce fear?

[@henryrodgers1752]

Perhaps carry a powerful battery powered fan and quickly deploy a wind-sock man, the kind seen in front of tacky furniture stores. Add in amplified zombie moans and you have it!! And carry a firearm.

[@FirsteMann1929]

@@henryrodgers1752 and a few grenades

[@ADVENTURESOFBZ]

All these are great ideas but I think it's a small little piece of metal that works best. Preferably in the .357 model. Last resort of course, we gotta keep the bears safe too. It's their home we are encroaching on.

[@miketuttle9319]

The sun shield also comes in handy for the people who find you to cover up your mangled body.

[@swazilandirtbikes]

I generally stay in my room and so far, no bears.

[@brandonlove62]

@Byong Min tell me about it

[@hackerman7835]

Stay vigilant

[@gkniffen]

If I see one in here, I’ll spray here though...

[@reefready9284]

I bet there is a couple of teddy bears

[@swazilandirtbikes]

@reefready- There are. . .

[@mariejoy8598]

You don't make a bear, that has just charged you, comfortable.

[@AdamsBrew78]

I’d be more interested in making myself comfortable, as I’m GTFO

[@zzzxxzzz3248]

The snowflake thinks using soothing words would keep the bear relaxed and not feel threatened , 😂 LOL ! Bears want to avoid humans but bears will eat bears when they are hungry and people look like easy prey ! Yum

[@carpballet]

I don’t know, when I’m mad a shoulder or scalp massage might help.

[@Animal-Reaction-Clips]

Have some tea and coffee

[@AKHWJ3ST]

That's gotta make your heart skip a beat when you realize the bear has focused on you!

[@jimmywrangles]

NO Bears in Australia where i live,sharks ate them all.

[@blusnuby2]

Wrong---Koala`s ate all the Grizz there ! What was left, they tossed to Mr. Whitey...

[@h3llnite]

😂😂😂

[@TONY-qj1nk]

Sharks are just fish right ? Put anotha shrimp on the barbie !

[@misguidedangel6550]

Sharks aren't gonna eat Grizzly bears thats for sure and we have lots of Sharks here in the USA as well, the Great Whites even go up into Canada during the summer as well

[@notmyname3681]

NAh, but you guys have Drop Bears. Fuck that shit.

[@markhoffman4587]

Waving at a mother bear..yelling " hey bear ! " is suppose to make her " comfortable " ? That's some funny shit, man !

[@RealHankShill]

That is EXACTLY what you are supposed to do actually.

[@elizabethhd7430]

You're just telling her you're there and not to be any more surprised than she already is this Bear all she's trying to do is protect her babies

[@stephenbroughman3231]

I bet you would shit your pants if it happened to you!

[@markwillies4330]

Well if you told her to Fcku Off maybe she might take exception to that.

[@alanskinner7031]

@@markwillies4330 hell ya that is what I would do!!

[@michaelhendrickson5287]

I love the outdoors, mainly wading streams fishing for smallmouth bass. My fear of Grizzly bears has helped me come up with a foolproof plan to keep them from attacking me. I simply stay away from bear country. 😎

[@chrisharrell5945]

You aren't living though until you stretch your mind, your vision and expound your boundaries..

[@gregv8690]

michael Hendrickson 🐥

[@michaelhendrickson5287]

@@gregv8690 Yes indeed sir. A couple of encounters with Black Beats in the Smokies was enough for me.

[@gregv8690]

michael Hendrickson GUN

[@meinthewild]

So you fish in NYC, LA & TN? Cause basically whole rest of country has bears.

[@RockinJoeDavis]

I have been chased by a mature polar bear, the wind changed, the gun jammed, she went had back the way she approached. Some Inuit said they will only approach from down wind. The religious guy in the 6 man crew shit his pants. I was too scared to shit my pants. We were on flat ground on arctic rock, no vegetation except moss and little yellow flowers. If the wind had not changed we wound be mauled with a 6 mile walk home to the airport runaway and a medivac. I made enough money over the summer to pay for university for a whole year and have some holidays. Polar bears are much bigger in the wild than the zoo. Her claws were about 6 or 8 inches long, paws about a foot wide. It would take many bullets to even slow her down, you'd have to do a head shot, which would be hard. This is more terrifying than you can even imagine. We argued about who got to sleep with our one rifle after that. The boss slept with the rifle. I quit 2 weeks early, when the going gets tough the tough get going...

[@ka9vmp]

The bible squeezer crapping his bloomers probably disgusted it and killed its appetite.

[@lisamecham5712]

Brings new meaning to the phrase "Holy shit."

[@tonynoname7644]

As a result of this video Montana national parks now post a notice saying, "In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear conflicts, the Montana Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters, and fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert for bears while in the field. We advise that outdoorsmen wear noisy little bells on their clothing so as not to startle the bears that aren't expecting them. We also advise outdoorsmen to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear. It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear poop. Black bear poop is smaller and contains a lot of berry seeds and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear poop has little bells in it and smells like pepper spray.

[@--SPQR--]

Hahaha you got me good

[@marywinn8953]

Funny

[@jackanderson1418]

That was great but I'll look from my car..Thanks for the laugh!!

[@ahill4642]

omg you sucked me right in 🤣

[@wonemorethought8009]

The bear 🐻 will be comfortable when she squashes your heads like 🍇

[@davidnavratil5349]

I've heard a testimony of a guy who got mauled pretty bad by a bear but survived and he said the bear just charged through the spray.

[@lobselvith7828]

If he survived I'd say the bear spray worked

[@robbabcock_]

@@lobselvith7828 When a Grizzly attacks it's usually territorial or because you encroached upon their cubs or personal space. When a black bear attacks it's normally predatory (ie they intend to eat you). Very often a Grizzly will knock a person down, bat him around a little and maybe take a few chomps but then leave; they will usually stop when they no longer perceive a threat. That can be fatal since humans are soft and fragile compared to a bear. Bear spray works very well against curious bears but a very aggressive bear will often ignore it completely. Spray should be backed up with the most powerful firearm that you can shoot well.

[@jonnyparsons7171]

Rob Babcock exactly what I say. I would have the firearm in one hand and the spray in the other. Quite frankly if a bear had its ears pinned back running towards me like that I would probably just shoot first and ask questions later.

[@lovespringfreshness]

Rob Babcock "maybe take a few chomps" lmfao

[@michaelkraus4135]

There are actually quite a few stories like you mentioned ,yet no official will ever mention to carry a gun.It is MY LIFE, Legal or not !

[@aceofspades856]

I don't wait until the bear charges. As soon as I see it, my bear spray is in my hand with the safety off.

[@ricknally8730]

Just took those words out of my mouth , lol . If you're going to waltz thru bear country your life is in the bears hands (paws) . Most people are too foolish (dumb) to do this . Common sense plays a big role in life . Thank God I have this in my DNA .

[@MrJamberee]

Just put it in writing next time if you don't have any video of the incident.

[@allanradcliffe6204]

@@MrJamberee May I interpret this as you think the information should be shared and if no camera recorded then log it and share the info. The manufacturer will most likely reward you with more free! And it may cause a macho-man to re-think and buy one too. Maybe??

[@fredbrackely]

Yeah, and the safety is off on the .45-70 too.

[@henryhenry903]

fredbrackely those were my thoughts exactly

[@echopine8974]

Bear spray is so smart. Like the idea of it. The bear sees it as a natural intervention and associates humans with bad spray like skunks

[@birage9885]

And then, how much spray did you have left for the rest of the journey, for the next possible bear you run into?

[@robertsherrow3627]

Great advice and thanks for sharing. I started tent camping in National Forests in the Western states last summer and will again starting this July. Bear warnings are frequently posted and I had two sightings, but thankfully no encounters. Bear sprays have a proven success record and I appreciate this and other videos that help prepare us for an encounter. As a former police officer, I learned that training and preparedness are key in protecting yourself and others. Thanks again!

[@gailmrutland6508]

*What smells like bear spray and has little bells in it? Bear Scat!* I am a great believer in Bear spray and "making her feel comfortable" as long as I have my .44 MAGNUM on my hip.

[@brandonb.5304]

Why do people regurgitate this dumb joke on every video about bears? It's beyond not funny anymore.

[@gailmrutland6508]

@@brandonb.5304 Too close to home soy boy?

[@brandonb.5304]

@@gailmrutland6508 Uh what? That doesn't even make sense. Too close to home? If I'm dead because I was eaten by a bear, how am I typing this? So you defend regurgitating a joke that's been said a million times previously on every conceivable video about bears on youtube by making a nonsensical insult. Cool. You're obviously very smart.

[@martyreking5487]

The only way you can make a grizzly " comfortable " in the wild is after it has a full belly...of you .

[@truthbroncowithbillward2082]

I am a bowhunter from Montana and I have had many encounters with grizzly bears. I never make noise. Many times I have seen Bears before they saw me. I have smelled Bears before I ever saw them or they ever saw me. I have been within 10 yards of grizzly bears and never looked right at them. Eye2eye Confrontations with bears close up is threatening to them. If I was a bear and you yelled hey bear at me I would get pissed off and run over you and then treat you like I would treat a basketball. Happy hiking in Bear country. It is majestic!

[@jserra17]

A revelation for me 5 years ago was finding that my bear spray had expired. I didn’t know that it does - the cans could be much better marked. The upside: you get a chance to practice with the old one.

[@samTollefson]

Good last words, "You really want to be well-rehearsed". This applies to many situations in general.

[@northernsurvivalbackcountr4986]

THE first charge was a bluff charge she was trying to tell you get lost or im coming back for business

[@chrisharrell5945]

Yeah, just didn't give them the chance to 'get gone'...that's the funny part, Grizzlies never do

[@Sadie04074]

The whole situation goes down so fast. My brother didn't even have a chance to raise his shotgun from the ready before that sucker was almost on him. Thank god it was only a bluff charge. I think the best defense in general is to travel in groups and stay out of denser foliage.

[@darrinjohnston6288]

Also know that bear spray doesn’t always work.

[@Brucev7]

And also know even a Winchester .30-30 doesn't always take them down

[@kelvenguard]

the FIRST bear charge you should be backing away.... you are a threat to her cubs

[@brucepreston3794]

And mama bear was a threat to you.

[@issstari954]

exactly if a bear bluff charges you it knows your there back away slowly dont make eye contact and dont look at the cubs just slowly back off dont run have the bear spray out make sure each member of the group has their backs to each other so all angles are covered so you dont get ambushed

[@Me2Lancer]

Kelvenguard you are correct and they should have known that.

[@timearchitecture]

Yep. Suppose to walk backwards keeping an eye on where the bear is at as soon as you see it. It can think your intruding its territory or stalking so you wanna avoid giving that assumption.

[@kelvenguard]

@@timearchitecture Yep... and when she turned and went back to her cubs clear the area FAST she's in Protect mode not Hunt mode... I Gold mine out in the British Columbia Rocky Mountains and have to Know this stuff....

[@julielabelle2783]

Wow, thank you for sharing this.

[@FoolishPrankster]

The '85 Bears were the best (period)

[@ericanh5711]

Excellent video...very important information. We are very adamant abt being prepared...you just never know what will happen on the trail. 👍👍

[@jyo8914]

And by golly, learn how to speak to a bear to comfort them!!! (Sheesh!). And of course, be prepared. I'm not 100% convinced of the bear spray's effectiveness over a well placed shot. Not doubting it, just haven't done a lot of research yet.

[@jyo8914]

And by golly, learn how to speak to a bear to comfort them!!! (Sheesh!). And of course, be prepared. I'm not 100% convinced of the bear spray's effectiveness over a well placed shot. Not doubting it, just haven't done a lot of research yet.

[@veronicav3048]

you must be his girlfriend lol

[@SavetheRepublic]

Who chose to use the words "hey bear" as a deterrent? I mean you're literally calling the bear. Wouldn't "leave me alone bear" be better? Or "please don't eat me"? Or how about "fuck off bear"?

[@HungryForAdventures]

Great information. I've seen bears on the road, but never this big. Good to know for any future encounters!

[@georgeshea8613]

After the bear first broke off, why would you continue to yell “hey bear?” The bear already knows your there, continuing to yell only escalated the confrontation!

[@username8171]

They are fast, and extremely strong. My brother raised a bear cub, and the little bugger was so stout and strong for his size.

[@ameeciaeagan-begay8090]

I love Yellowstone. What a magical,beautiful place. I love the bears too, they command respect and these people handled this situation very very well

[@TheRivrPrncess]

No they did not. They angered the mom with their continued yelling.

[@Alaska_Gal]

My old coworker’s friend was killed right in front of him, by a Grizzly. This was in Alaska. They were out fishing, saw it across the river, then it was on THEIR side of the river.

[@blessedwithchallenges9917]

Cool! I had a similar situation with me and my 12yr old son. A bear ran at us, but I forgot I had bear spray! I charged it and yelled multiple times as it kept coming and stopping, running and stopping. Finally at about 10 feet, it grunted at me numerous times as I yelled at it...it decided to go down a steep embankment rather than fight me. My son thought I was awesome. I was scared to death. And I only realized about lunch time I had bear spray on my pack belt... :)

[@GeenoDente]

so informative thanks !!

[@petes9878]

I've had good experiences carrying a 1.5 oz marine air horn blaster. Fits in your palm, thumb on the trigger, no safety to remove. In my experience a short blast made the bear jump and run. Try it.

[@94chief1]

I carry the same as a first choice, Bear spray is my back up

[@RicardoRoams]

I've often wondered about this.

[@TheRealAlbertJ]

If the bear looks like it is about to charge or if it is charging, you sure had better have your bear spray ready to spray. Loud noises may work before that point, but I wouldn't use loud or aggressive noises if it is a mother bear with cubs. Then you should just start slowly backing away immediately with your bear spray at the ready.

[@ricknally8730]

Bear spray in the other hand . Can't trust them . Cubs present , they'll be back most assuredly .

[@TomTom-xp2jb]

@@94chief1 Great idea!!! Those horns are loud!!! Least invasive measure. 👍

[@2233golf2]

Best words ever......."you really want to be well rehearsed....."

[@lisamecham5712]

I didn't know you could rehearse your primal reaction to a grizzly bear charge.

[@misguidedangel6550]

no you get rehearsed on how you use your bear spray. How you take it out of the holster quickly, how you pop the safety off of it. I've met people who went out and bought bear spray and we start our hike I ask them were it is and its in their backpack. They've never practiced pulling it out of the holster, they dont even know how to take the safety off and then how to hold the can when you getting ready to spray. Luckily I was with them to teach them all this and tell them that bear spray is useless if kept in ur backpack as you might only have seconds to have it ready to fire. Running into a Sow on a trail with cubs is the scariest thing that could happen to you

[@jcd3869]

Thanks and glad you are all safe.

[@JesusRodriguez-dc7of]

If you think about it, more people have died saying "Hey Bear!!" than any other last words. Like, literally. 😂😂😂

[@UnfazedPhoenix]

I'm so glad you are all OK. Thank you for explaining to people why bear spray is so important.

[@billyrock8305]

The bear simply wants you far away from her cubs. Stay calm, Create immediate gap distance, and make noise.

[@Bustahbrown]

Right pal, I guess you missed the entire video clip. Love the " hey bear " B.S. !! try it in Swahili next time.... SHEESH !!!

[@chrisb6484]

Guys- Hey bear Bear- Hey guy

[@lighttheway5088]

Billy Rock Exactly !!!!

[@skiak004]

And get ready to have some body parts altered. This is the most dangerous situation you can be in with a grizzly, and it doesn't end well if she sees you and simply reacts with her instinctual nature to protect her young. You can talk all you want, but she is going to be pissed no matter what you do. She's used to protecting her cubs from male grizzlies that will kill them in order to breed with her, and you represent the same danger. This written by an Alaskan~ a liberal bike racing soccer playing Nordic ski racing die hard Democrat (yes we exist- threw that in there because too many think only Republicans own guns and know how to use 'em), and also a moose and/or caribou hunter for my year's meat supply. I've had first hand experience with sows, and know more than a few guys and gals that have had the same. Two were mauled (both lived). You need a lot of things to go right to come out of these encounters okay~ like bear spray (watch the wind though,) and with luck that the bear will turn. Sometimes they don't. A .44 Redhawk, shotgun with slugs/shot, or your hunting rifle and bear spray combo is really the best protection in grizzly country. Have a great day.

[@billyrock8305]

@@skiak004 I’ve had many bear encounters usually alone and unarmed typically on my mountain bike. Don’t overreact, show no fear and stay calm. You do make several good points. Grizzlies are the most unpredictable and aggressive of all bears (especially a sow with Cubs) and require ones full attention at all times. Two cans of bear spray in your possession at all times and know how to use it. (Easily accessible). Practice using it regularly. Be cognizant of wind direction as a grizzlies sense of smell is much greater than ours. A bear's sense of smell is 7 times better than a blood hound's or 2,100 times better than a human. A grizzlies sense of smell is so acute that they can detect animal carcases upwind and from a distance of 20 miles away. Assume that they can smell the food in your backpack too. They will be aware of you long before you are of them. Remember you’re never out of the fight.

[@dlshumate7726]

I live in Anchorage, Alaska where we have bears moving thru the city most of the summer. About a month ago a black bear crossed the path my dog and I were walking on. It was heading north and my dog and I were heading east. It came within 15 yards of us. I keep bear spray resting in a water bottle holder on my fanny pack. When I heard the rustling thru the woods I spun around (thinking it was a moose charging me) to see it was a black bear. By the time I got my bear spray off my hip to hand to discharge the bear had vanished into the woods. It took just about 4 secs to have the bear spray ready. At that moment the reality set in that if that bear had really charged me I would have been mauled or killed.

[@michaelbaxter1564]

The U.S. Army hasn't made public specifics about the soldier killed in a bear attack near Anchorage last month. I'm assuming it was a brown bear, as black bear attacks are rare.

[@jamespiper4398]

I was charge in bicentennial Park in 2019. When I heard his grunt I turned in his charging direction and fired 5 times. I'm lucky to be writing this. He dropped 10ft in front of me. 10mm glock with 220 grain bear rounds

[@PearlJamAndBiscuits]

Crazy! So glad they lived to talk about it~

[@mustang19ms]

I imagine some angry bears will take the bear spray as peppermint and keep charging, I need a flame thrower

[@jimpuertas6781]

great video thanks!

[@dontbeled]

They were trying to make the bear "comfortable". Where are we, the twilight zone?

[@lesgrossman4636]

Nope. The Forrest

[@WLeonardAthas]

millennials

[@mrindia1]

Also how dare they identify her as a "she" they used the wrong pronouns. Of course she's gonna be mad

[@rebecca_r]

Did they start backing away with the first charge? As others have stated I wonder if she would have charged a second time if she saw them walking backwards- away......

[@TheRealAlbertJ]

Very hard to predict with bears, but yes, they should have been backing away slowly after the first warning charge.

[@blueriverlore]

Great video. I was a Cubmaster and then Scoutmaster in Arizona. We were know as the Backpackers. We would practice exactly like these Rangers said and made a lot of noise when we were hiking. Our plan if we were to see a bear, cougar and/or other creature would be to gather together in a group and raise our hands up (to make us look like a friggen HUGE animal) and start hollering like crazy. Of course I would have the bear spray ready to discharge. We never had any issues in the 8 plus years we were hiking... well, except for that one time where we camped on an elk trail. But that's another story.

[@henryrodgers1752]

It helps to gather in a tight group. The predator doesn't have to chase the stragglers too far.

[@robertcalamusso4218]

Great info | tips. Thx.

[@senorboardhead]

I kept my dog spray in hand reading electric meters all day - and needed to use it on many occasions - and you mean these guys were walking around in Grizzly country with their spray stowed ? Should probably train with it like you would if it was a handgun that you carried every day . Certainly give them space but I would have to be armed as well. I think at least one trained person should carry an effective bear carbine.

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

When moving through bear country, especially in dense forests, the spray should already be in your hand. And accompanied by a heavy caliber firearm. Bear spray doesn't alwasy work.

[@jim-hz3pn]

@Toasty Although it is now legal to carry loaded guns in national parks, guns cannot be fired except in rare circumstances. Hunting is illegal in most national parks except under special permits. Target practice also is banned. For national security reasons, guns cannot be carried into federal facilities within national parks.Feb 22, 2010 Gun Regulations in the National Parks - National Park Servicewww.nps.gov › upload › Firearms-in-IMRparks2-2010PDF

[@Jeff-bl1rz]

I always carry a .45 in bear country ..... not worried about it being illegal in a Park ....

[@mandograssable]

@@Jeff-bl1rz The only problem with that is it is not easy to hit a running target with a pistol especially when the adrenalin is flowing. They did a study on it and people always missed the moving object. I would carry a large caliber rifle that held plenty of rounds. I don't care about laws when my life is in danger.

[@Brightstartarot888]

@@mandograssable ya, I would not go out far without some assault and and self defense skills. .. to use a firearm and knife. I think the bear and mountain lion populations are going up.

[@kcmule]

and it's not just the backcountry where this can happen, we see plenty of bears near the roads and boardwalks especially in spring

[@hannahyo4368]

"Its okay bear!" "She did not seem comfortable with us". Well no shit! If you are yelling at the bear its not going to like you!

[@jeffwhitehead6168]

They should have spoken Chinese.

[@jimheckert5383]

Great advice. Thanks

[@TomTom-xp2jb]

Good advice!!! Always have pepper spray handy cuz you won't have enough time to search for it in an attack scenario. Outside pocket of my back-pack works for me. Cheers!!! 👍

[@paulvanallen-lononca]

Good to see the three of you...

[@chaparra71]

Who thinks yelling “hey bear” is going to make a bear feel “comfortable”? Lol

[@susanwilson2297]

....”standing on its legs!!!” 😆😆😆

[@runhardhooah]

"You really wanna be well rehearsed." Absolutely. Every few hikes I like to just hike along and then spring into action by drawing my bear spray out immediately as if I was going to spray a bear. It's like drawing a firearm--if you're not ready, the attacker may very well win. Nice video, y'all.

[@pokerman9108]

LMAO Don't forget to learn how to speak bear.

[@joycethompson1361]

Look darling, there's the most deadly bear sprayer since Wild Bill.

[@kentwilliams4152]

That is actually good advice. It has been said that it takes a minimum of 500 daws to become truly fast. Frankly I just can’t put my faith in an aerosol spray. A 12 ga. Shotgun with Brenneke rifled slugs would be a very good choice. While getting to know my patrol area I stopped by the USFS office. During my visit the topic of bear attacks came up. I was told that the best procedure involved the three “S’s. “Shoot - Shovel - Shut up.”

[@kirkdunn1379]

They are so damn fast, people can't even imagine how fast they can run or charge.....many didn't even have time to grab a firearm b4 bear was already on them......they are so damn quick!!!.....

[@bobspizza7444]

Ya but you got TIME to shoot it while it's chewing on you. It's not instant death. Everyone who is against using guns seem to forget that part when they say they are fast you won't have time to kill it before it gets to you. Nope you might not but you can find a fur patch and empty the rest of your clip into it while it's eating you. Beats just laying there

[@joedirte1029]

Scary. I seem to remember something about a "three person rule", where grizzlies weren't known to charge/attack so long as there were three people in the group. This seems to be the exception.

[@Animal-Reaction-Clips]

@Toasty no they're not. Anyway I don't care to break any law to protect my life especially living in bear country

[@robgnisir4672]

I carry a bazooka in bear territory, one time I shot one and it butchered the bear before my eyes pieces landing all around me packaged and ready for the freezer !!

[@jeremyv4636]

AMAZING how fast they run and how much ground they cover in fragments of a second. Holstered bear spray....it's yer buddy! I'd rather have the spray against a grizz than a .45-no joke. You can miss with the .45 but the spray fans out! (I'd carry multiple cans-LOL) Plus with their schnoz? It'll pick up that spray and turn the whole unit on a dime. Can't beat it.

[@thyslop1737]

The bear singled you out probably because you had the fruity man bun.

[@garethifan1034]

Yeah..bears don't do effeminate

[@hupgthupgt-tb7cs]

@@garethifan1034 They do, just not hideous man buns.

[@garethifan1034]

@@hupgthupgt-tb7cs Nahh..they don't..they don't live in our human messed up world they only know male or female, the way it is

[@hupgthupgt-tb7cs]

@@garethifan1034 I'm sure that's how you think it is.

[@vadaminot429]

🙄

[@sandreawhite7534]

excellent video.

[@rubbersole79]

Always wear your bear spray on the OUTSIDE of your pack, so you'll have plenty of room for toilet paper on the INSIDE of your pack.

[@pamflowers8364]

It's easy to find fault if you have never been in their situation, but they did everything right. These things happen so fast and you're freaked out no matter how rehearsed you are. You gather in a group to seem bigger, you make a lot of noise to add to the that, and you do not turn and run away. You back up slowly, which takes time.

[@willhopkins678]

I got in a situation like this once,was an accidental encounter,I was walking around a park in the evening came around a turn and a bear was crossing the road about 300 pound bear,still young he went over the side he was traveling next thing I knew the mother was standing there waiting on me,now I know that's the most dangerous place to be is between a mother and a baby,man was I scared I got the kids behind me and told them to back up slowly,as I was backing up to she was scratching the black top,and growling, I pulled out my 40 caliber had it aimed at her mouth because she kept growling figured that would be the best shot,anyway kept backing up till she stopped and I kept back up till she stopped,even though I had a gun I knew she could still kill me before she fell over or it might not of done nothing but piss her off,so my point is yes always carry bear spray much more effective talk about scared lol I'm still shaking!

[@christopherdesanto186]

Bear spray first, firearm second!

[@allanradcliffe6204]

Well, the takeaway from your experience is..you did the right thing,both to protect your kids and to de-stress the situation.

[@willhopkins678]

Thank you

[@rumplestiltskin7304]

Got all that out in one sentence. Geez, now I wonder why I spent so much time learning punctuation in fourth grade.

[@stephenscott6570]

When I go through thick area where I cannot see at least 30 yards or more, Imtake my bear spray out of holster, keep in my right hand with thumb on safety ontil I clear the area.

[@joepalooka2145]

Good video, if you have bear spray with you then you have a huge safety advantage. Don't panic and be prepared to use it as quickly and as efficiently as you can.

[@LL-vj5yp]

Or a gun,that works well too.

[@samspade1841]

Great overview of the potential for an attack and the use of spray. Usually it’s one person only spraying. Would it have turned out differently? Never know. Good video.

[@robertwaid3579]

Well said, you three. A couple of yrs ago, l was working in Grand Teton Park, area West of the J H airport, we were given Bear spray, to carry, but never shown how to use, or deploy it? Isn't that Brilliant huh? I don't recall even being asked, if we knew how to use it. By the way great piece. Thanks. WR, 🗯️💭🤔🤔🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇦🇺🇸👍👍🙏

[@snappingbear]

Don't these people get training or they do and it's bad? What they did was to put it mildly, dumb. When an adult grizzly charges you, stops and retreats what do you think it is trying to communicate? What do you think a wolf or another bear would do? Oh that's right, they would either stand and fight or flee. By standing your ground and barking at her you forced her to attack. You ignored her warning charge and stood your ground instead of retreating. In situations like this always backup, obtain visual cover and flee. People need to use common sense when in grizzly country.

[@abiman51]

what is visual cover?

[@cachi-7878]

What are your credentials, may I dare ask? Do you know the timing between these charges? They probably hadn’t gotten their pulse back after that first charge before the sow charged a second time. Also, if you flee, the bear will chase you. Have you not seen people biking through the woods and a bear chasing their ass?

[@rumblechick73]

@Wolfgang Breitenseher What is overpopulated is so called human beings who think they have the right to enter any place, any time, anywhere they feel like and the heck with anybody or anything that gets in their way. How about not trying to put settlements over every square foot of wilderness and driving the native animals out until there is no where left for them to survive unless they start having no choice but to raid those settlements for survival! Building and visiting in areas with wildlife and then complaining because there is wildlife and feeling the need to kill it makes as much sense as moving next to an airport and complaining about the noise from the planes.

[@HobbitHomes263]

@@cachi-7878 A guy on a bike on main highway here in Montana was killed by a bear two summers ago. an orderly retreat is in order while keeping visual contact with the bear without holding direct eye contact. Keep talking but don't be aggressive in tone or volume.

[@HobbitHomes263]

@@rumblechick73 The Northern Rockies are a zoo enclosed by a fence of humanity. WIth the protections of large predators, they have lost what little fear they have of humans.

[@jamesanthony5257]

Remember: If you buy a can of bear spray, it is to be used on the bears. Recently, a Glacier Park tourist bought a can and then lined up his family and sprayed them down like the bear spray was Mosquito Spray.

[@richgerow3472]

IQ level 1,000 move right there.

[@thepsychedelicdieselwagon9599]

I always did like a spritz or two on my club sandwich. Just personal preference really.

[@GeoHvl]

In addition to spray a S&W 500 next to the can on your chest. There have been attacks that a really pissed bear the spray didn’t help.

[@jaredwhite489]

Ya I’ll stick with my 454 casull thx.

[@bencuraza6503]

Last night, watching a YT Bear Spray practice Vid. How did none of you mentioned 1st grizzly charge within 15-yards NO spray released and it sounded like caught off guard reaching for the canister.

[@joycethompson1361]

Bears can out run a quarter horse at short distances, say 100 yards. Maybe not time enough to get your spray can out and pointed in the right direction. Much easier to unholster a gun and start firing. Your life is on the line...protect it!

[@joycethompson1361]

@Future Hindsight Ever heard of a tach light on a pistol. Also the sprayed bear is not dead and can still come at you. A dead bear cannot.

[@joycethompson1361]

@Future Hindsight How would you make the assumption I have never killed a bear? 3 and men too called enemy combatants. Don't make assumptions to try and belittle people you know nothing about.

[@marianfrances4959]

I've seen interviews with many experts and they all say spray is effective in most cases.

[@capturehishonor9292]

As it turns out, bear spray is heavily regulated in favor of the bear. Most modes of transport do not allow bear spray aboard. Few outposts carry it. Frontiersman, 2022's #1 bear spray, has a formulation that features the highest level of capsaicin content "legally permissible" at 2%. But the same pepper spray that is used on humans can contain 10%, and the higher concentration of oleoresin capsicum whereas a bear spray will only contain 1-2% of the same active ingredient. The point is to cause the bear to back off rather than to do any real harm. So, we would rather protect bears than people. We are only 10 - 20% as important as a bear.

[@nutsbutdum]

Damn, she took 3 canisters worth of bear spray!?

[@holyworrier]

If you have to spray a bear, get outta there, as the scent of the spray attracts other bears.

[@michelleosborne8951]

I was reading in the national park app under Yosemite park and they said you are not allowed to carry bear spray. I don’t understand that.

[@simonbagel]

Would a loud handheld airhorn be effective on detering a bear?

[@johnnywishbone932]

I use a figure 8 rig and my spray is mount on my chest by my left shoulder. I can reach it with either hand.

[@CSIgirl30]

I saw a guy who bought bear spray but failed to read instructions, yes a guy of course and ended up being malled but he did try to chuck the can at it like thats going to work lol

[@Pvallentyne]

Bear spray is legal and encouraged in Yellowstone, some parks do not allow the possession or use of bear spray. Check park regulations before your trip.

[@waynegraham7611]

Scary stuff !!

[@bluwaterkayaker6622]

After the bear charged you the first time, why didn't you leave the area?

[@missprimrose4132]

wtf.. did you want them to run? Welp, that's fair game for a chase for bears & dogs too. ps: Never play the prey role - stand your ground. They didn't have time to slowly back away.

[@davidnavratil5349]

to leave the area in few seconds of this happening means running... you're probably not the sharpest knife in the drawer, are you

[@joletty1793]

Whew!!! That sure is one terrifying experience to go through!!! So glad they all came out of that unharmed, those bears are to be respected but, if you're going into their neck of the woods, never let your guard down. Maybe sudden high blast of music could scare them off??? 🤔🙄 Anyway,,,, glad they're okay. 😉😉😄😊

[@Gunther_Allen]

wow... great to know!

[@58landman]

As one who has hunted all of his life, if I ever decided to stroll through bear country I'd be toting a properly stoked .375 H&H Double. Not about to wind up in a pile of bear scat.

[@LL-vj5yp]

My thoughts exactly.👍

[@mandograssable]

Me too and I agree! Most others talking about pistols. They would not hit crap with a pistol while the adrenalin is flowing.

[@janetpattison8474]

Yeah, you really need to be holding the can of bear spray for any of this to work. It sounds likeThey were lucky that nobody got mauled

[@FallLineJP]

Thanks for sharing the story and glad it was a good outcome for everyone. Not to armchair quarterback, but one thing that stood out for me was they mentioned continuing to *yell* “hey bear” after the initial bluff charge. Considering the presence of cubs, I’m not sure if yelling would be the best option at this point? She already knows you’re there. Wouldn’t you want to be as non-threatening as possible? Keep talking certainly (in as calm a voice as you can muster.. yes, i know you just got charged by a grizz..), but maybe not “yelling”? Curious if others have opinions on this?

[@18Bees]

“One time I tried to make a charging sow feel comfortable by yelling ‘hey bear hey bear’ It didn’t work so I tried Morris Dancing. Didn’t work either.

[@laurieknapp1489]

I've heard conflicting info in the past, so maybe you can help? I've heard that if a bear is charging without the intent to harm you, or isn't close enough, and you discharge spray, you might actually provoke it further. I like how you describe how you can tell the bear's body language had changed and that's when you knew the spray was needed, but what's a good rule of thumb for less experienced people to know when this is the "real thing" and it's time to discharge the spray?

[@mitchellschool9950]

Let me answer your question....If you see a sow grizzly with cubs, you should immediately back away and pull your bear spray. Best case scenario, she runs the other way. If she begins moving toward you, you need to spray. You will not hurt the bear, but the bear will incapacitate you in order to protect her cubs. If a black bear is following you, you are really in deep shit because black bears are predatory so spray at them too.

[@hughkennedy2999]

A charging grizzly can reach a speed of around 30 miles an hour and at full gait that translates into about 44 feet per second. You barely have time to react. Spray and it disrupts their senses. It provides a cloud and a much larger target area than a bullet. (missed shots.) This is what research says. (I am not an expert) I was once bluff charged by a black bear in BC with 3 cubs and although i never discharged the bear spray (I was scared and fumbling the can. In hindsight i should have.

[@nicholasleonardo4788]

Well done

[@stevehofmann9525]

Despite a few possible flaws this P.S.A. will save someone from terrible injury or death. It doesn’t need to be perfect to be affective . Good on them !

[@TheRivrPrncess]

No. Bear spray is to be used only to ward off a bear that charges when they didn't need to. Bear spray is not for protecting people who do things to cause a bear to charge.

[@stevehofmann9525]

@@TheRivrPrncess are you saying that there are rules in a bear fight for a human but no rules for the bear.?