Gun VS Bear Spray - The Ultimate Debate

Let's all try to be respectful in the comments. I know this is a hot issue!

I've always carried a firearm loaded with Underwood Xtreme Penetrator rounds when I'm in the backcountry. After watching this video I realized that I need to balance that solution out with a can of bear spray. Having options is always better. Great video, gentlemen!

Sold a car to an Alaskan wildlife photographer who had been attacked by 4 Grizzley bears over the course of his career. He said the first attack was in the 80's, so of course he had a 45, unloaded it into the bear (one hit the skull, but didn't penetrate it, 6 hit the body, one missed), and it took over 5 minutes of intense mauling before the bear's jaw opened. After a year in the hospital he ended up being attacked again, this time with a some hot .44 Magnum, and waited until the bear was actually on him so that he could unload all 8 rounds into it's head. Even then, brain gone, the bear's jaw didn't unlatch from his neck/shoulder for minutes, and he still needed major surgery, had a broken neck, and almost bled out. The third time out he had an AR-10 (308) loaded with hot hunting rounds, it was probably 15 years later so the ammo was much better, and this time he was able to get away without too much damage, even though it took 30 rounds during the bear charge to do it. The 4th time he had the rifle, but was attacked in his tent, used bear spray that he had ready to go for just that scenario, and he walked away completely unscathed - his conclusion - carry a rifle with plenty of proper ammo, and double up on the bear spray if you're gonna be around 1000lb Grizzley bears. HOWEVER, he has photographed thousands of Black bears, and cited a study done by some wildlife preserve or something that compared about 100 provoked black bear attacks, and simply loudly yelling while making yourself appear huge (arms in the air, jumping), worked exactly as well as throwing rocks, and using normal pepper gel to the face (not bear spray). I later googled the study and found it to exist and back that up, although it's been over 10 years since then, so who knows what other research has been done. His summary on black bears was that you don't need a gun at all, so leave them alone and buy some pepper gel if you're worried - they're cute and likely don't need to be shot in any normal circumstance. He also mentioned that something called dog spray is a slightly larger and further projecting option if you're looking for a still lightweight alternative to bear spray (which is overkill for a black bear), but still very effective. Figured I'd add this in just in case someone was interested! Be safe out there! I personally just carry a tiny Saber Red pepper gel when camping anywhere that doesn't have Grizzlies, and maybe a small firearm (CCW) if I'm going to be near any sketchy towns or areas with lots of drug issues.

I have to comment on this one. I was working as a fishery biologist outside of Meeteetse, Wyoming with an outfitter that had his dog off leash in a wilderness area. When we crested a hill we saw a female black bear that was protecting its dead cub on the trail and everyone on horses took off. As luck would have it, I was on foot and left behind. The dog however, continued to harass the mother bear and when the bear charged, the dog took off leaving me with an angry mother bear to deal with. I had my bear spray out of the holster and the safety clip was off as well (this is a good argument for practicing and making this a muscle memory occurrence, because I don't even remember doing these things). She bluff charged me then stood up on her back legs and started clacking her jaws. She bluffed two more times and then walked away. She was never close enough to shoot the spray effectively, but it felt like she was on top of me. I love dogs and I cannot stress enough that they need to be on leash in bear country! Thank you for such and important video for us hikers!

I've hunted large game my whole life including being on bear hunts for brown and black bears. I've watched bears charge after 2 or more well placed shots from large caliber rifles. Bears are extremely fast and close the gap in a blink of an eye. Neither is a guarantee especially if the bear is determined.

I think most people who think they could take down a Grizzly have never seen how fast and gnarly they are in person .

My college roommate says he carries a .22 pistol when hiking for bears. He says it is to shoot his buddy in the leg so he can outrun him. 🤣

This is a GREAT video on the subject of bears, guns and spray! I carry a side arm in the bush AND I carry spray! I have used my spray on dogs in the past…never had to use spray on a wild animal. Been over 20 years of experience. Always good to practice at home! Again, thank you both for this video!

Gun I'm not worried about the animals. It's the people you need protect from. I'm a retired park ranger.

I have both. I carry a gun mostly for two-legged predators. A raging black bear or cougar is unlikely, but I feel better with protection. Shooting a grizzly with a handgun, even a rifle at close range is a dumb idea.

Both! I’m ex-military and firmly believe in peace through deterrence (Bear spray) and when that fails bring overwhelming fire superiority (gun) to bare (pun intended). Seriously though, great video for those who haven’t considered their defense on the trail. For those who lack firearm’s training, please don’t carry around a gun. An attack without warning isn’t when one finds out their defensive plan is more a sense of hope rather than a plan. If carrying a gun, please practice. It’s darn near impossible to hit what you want to hit under stress, when the target is moving and without practice. Also consider the consequences of missing the bear in a group. FULL DISCLAIMER: I’ve only had one Bear encounter within 50 feet and it was resolved without spray or bullets.

I carry pepper spray and a firearm in town for self defense. These are both tools for different applications. The same goes for out in the back country: two tools with a different applications, different training and mindset considerations.

There are times that bear spray is not very effective. Bear sprays are considered a pesticide by the U.S. government and must be registered with the EPA. In doing so, the government requires that bear spray can contain no more than 1 - 2% O.C. ( oleoresin capsicum) which is a natural oil found in plants, including cayenne peppers and chillies, the ingredient that causes the burning sensation. In comparison, pepper spray that might be used on 2-legged animals, can contain as much as 23% (or more) O.C. A much stronger deterrent. Next time you have a can of bear spray check the label. You will see no more than 2% O.C. and sometimes as little as 1% O.C. It is relatively weak compared to pepper spray. Pepper spray typically only sprays a short distance, usually 6-12 feet. Some go a little more, some a little less. Whereas bear spray typically sprays 25-30 feet and usually in a large fog. So, pepper spray's range is too short for bear. IMO. A brown bear can travel 12 feet in less than a second running at full charge. Besides being relatively weak another problem with bear spray (as mentioned in video) is when it's windy, and especially if the wind is blowing directly at or even in the direction of the person using the bear spray. If the wind blows the spray at you it can end up burning the eyes and throat of the person trying to defend against the bear, which may temporarily disable the person. That could make it very hard to open your eyes to see the bear and also to breathe. Not a very good thing to have happen if a dangerous bear is coming at you. Bear spray is under pressure and can sometimes not work well at elevations over 7000 feet. Bear spray does seem to work against bears that are just curious or maybe only giving a false charge. Bear spray does not work as well against a bear that is guarding a kill, especially if you unknowingly get between the bear and it's food source, or if a mother bear feels that you're a threat to her cubs, even if you're not close to the cubs, or if you accidentally happen to surprise a bear. Especially if it's sleeping. I know there are a lot of people that for whatever reason are not comfortable with firearms or maybe don't feel very proficient with one. If that's you and there's no way you see yourself carrying a firearm then absolutely carry bear spray. It won't always work in every situation, but it is better than not having anything. I have friends in Alaska. They don't bother with bear spray, saying they don't trust it. They prefer to carry a rifle, shotgun with slugs, or a large caliber handgun with heavy, hard-cast bullets. A good option in bear country would be to carry both a firearm and bear spray. Make sure you make noise when you hike, most bears will turn and leave when they hear people. Oh, and don't hike alone.

As someone who always carries both bear spray and a sidearm whenever I go into the wilderness I can say this was an excellent conversation that should get people to evaluate their preparedness and their limitations. I appreciate the honesty and lack of any agenda besides providing unbiased information.

I’ll always have a 10mm no question

A friend of mine who had been backpacking for over 50 years never went into the backcountry without a firearm and he would say “it’s not the four footed creatures I’m wary of; it’s the two footed ones.” He carried bear spray for the four footed ones. 😂

Excellent video. Best middle of the road, factual video without being hard on one side versus the other. Well done.

I recently listened to an interview with a guide that was attacked by a grizzly, this man lives in Grizzly country and guides elk hunters in grizzly country. He has trained and created video on bear spray deployment. The video is used to show clients how to use bear spray. To say this man was very familiar with bear spray is an understatement. He was unable to deploy the bear spray when he was attacked. Fortunately his friend another guide used his bear spray to get the bear off of him which also blinded the guide being attacked and ended up in the eyes of the guide that deployed the bear spray. The original guide did eventually deploy his own bear spray, unfortunately he couldn't see and deployed it into his own face.The can was backwards. In this case I think a 10mm glock in a chest holster would have worked better.

I've had 5 bear encounters in my life time. all 5 times a firearm was present (mine or a person with me). of these 5 encounters never a shot fired and no one was ever attacked. 2 of the encounters had the bear within 4 feet before it turned away. of those 5 encounters bear spray was never present. i will add that during 3 of these encounters a firearm was drawn on the bear (2 times from a holster and once was a rifle). cost of practicing with a firearm dry fire is free, .20 to 50 cents a round for live fire. . aim small miss small.

Bear spray? Yeah that gonna be a hard no for me . I'll carry a 10mm on hip and a 500 mag on chest. Then maybe some.bear spray also , but rely on only spray? absolutely not