bear bangers

[Malto]

Do you feel this a good back up to bear spray
No. I wouldn't carry bear spray on the A.T. either.

Would you purchase it for a through hike
Absolutely not.

Do you feel it would scare the bear or antagonize it
It would often scare a bear, the odds of it triggering an attack are virtually zero, as are the odds of needing any kind of defensive weapon against bears on the A.T.

What he said! I really don't understand why there is such a fear of bears.

[ScareBear]

What he said! I really don't understand why there is such a fear of bears.

Because. Bear. Don't. Care.

[Lnj]

I like the firecracker and/or air horn idea. Just something they can't associate with food and scares them enough to make them leave and hopefully not come back in the same night. If we could just teach them to fear humans again, without actually hurting them in any way. There should be heavy fines associated with negligent food handling on major trails. Like if you are walking by a shelter and see a bear hang that is just ridiculous, or not hung at all or trash everywhere, with the owner near by, a quick pic with your cell phone sent to an appropriate official should result in a ridge runner visit with a citation in hand, and they should they should be handled with the same level of importance as a traffic ticket.

[Venchka]

What's wrong with the whistle? The one that should be part of your 10 Essentials? Or did the 10 Essentials get the boot so you could play with the Cool Kids in the SUL group?
Wayne


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[jimmyjam]

I've been known to carry a couple of m80s. Never had to light one.

[Sarcasm the elf]

I've been known to carry a couple of m80s. Never had to light one.

M-249's are heavier but far more effective.

[Lnj]

What's wrong with the whistle? The one that should be part of your 10 Essentials? Or did the 10 Essentials get the boot so you could play with the Cool Kids in the SUL group?
Wayne

Do they work? Has anyone ever used one and it scared a bear off?
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Do they work? Has anyone ever used one and it scared a bear off? I almost feel like the whistle may start to become like the car alarms we hear every day. It just doesn't make us even look anymore. We assume its nothing. I only say that because they are so commonplace. They come attached to the chest strap on some packs... or at least my Osprey has one. Is it loud enough to really scare an older, braver bear away, make him stay away the rest of the night?

[ScareBear]

Bear bangers don't work. I would post the video of the guy getting his face gnawed off by Bear, but I am afraid the mods would ban me. They throw....at least ten bangers....maybe twenty...guess what? That face tasted might good. And. Bear. Don't. Care.

[Venchka]

Do they work? Has anyone ever used one and it scared a bear off? I almost feel like the whistle may start to become like the car alarms we hear every day. It just doesn't make us even look anymore. We assume its nothing. I only say that because they are so commonplace. They come attached to the chest strap on some packs... or at least my Osprey has one. Is it loud enough to really scare an older, braver bear away, make him stay away the rest of the night?

I honestly don't know. But I carry one and it's easy to get to and always with me. Not on my pack where I can't get to it.
I needed to use my whistle twice the last time I was out with a group. It worked.
If I see a bear that needs to move away from me I intend to try the whistle.
This is the whistle I carry.
http://www.nrs.com/product/1812/storm-whistle
Be safe Y'all.
Wayne


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[ScareBear]

I've got that whistle. Here's a free tip. Never blow it inside the car with the windows rolled up. Never. Just sayin...

[Venchka]

I've got that whistle. Here's a free tip. Never blow it inside the car with the windows rolled up. Never. Just sayin...

LOL! Got it. Once I attempted to extract maximum volume from the whistle. I didn't get close even with my fingers in my ears.
A serious whistle.
Wayne

[swisscross]

I've got that whistle. Here's a free tip. Never blow it inside the car with the windows rolled up. Never. Just sayin...

I carry it's little brother the Windstorm. It is super loud also.
Not just in a car but inside the house is deafening.
Actually bought one for the entire family to use as a safety whistle.

[JPritch]

I really don't understand why there is such a fear of bears.

Because they have been known to attack, kill, and consume people - however rare it may be. And people deep down inside still have this primal fear of being eaten by something higher on the food chain than themselves. It's why people fear sharks when they swim in the ocean. It's understandable human behavior and I don't hold it against anyone.

[gpburdelljr]

Who put together the poll questions at the top of the thread. There are questions, but no way to answer"yes", or "no" to the questions.

[Colter]

Because they have been known to attack, kill, and consume people - however rare it may be. And people deep down inside still have this primal fear of being eaten by something higher on the food chain than themselves. It's why people fear sharks when they swim in the ocean. It's understandable human behavior and I don't hold it against anyone.

Fear of bears is primal, but the level of bear fear is irrational. Bears kill about 1 person per year in the US. About 5 people die per minute of other causes. Bears are likely the greatest fear for people in the outdoors, and one of the least common ways to die in the outdoors. We've all got our irrational fears, but it's good to worry less and enjoy more.

[Obiwan]

I cannot believe that this never occurred to me. From now on I will carry flash bang grenades!