Bill would require Wyo. backcountry users to carry bear spray

Teton (Wyo.) County Attorney Steve Weichman told the Yellowstone Grizzly Coordinating Committee last week he is looking for a sponsor for a proposed bill that would mandate all backcountry users in grizzly country carry bear spray. But Bob Wharff of the Wyoming Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife Bear says spray isn’t the answer for every bear encounter, especially for hunters. Jackson Hole News & Guide.

Comments

[Dave Smith]

It's not safe for hunters to use bear spray. Drop your rifle and reach for bear spray? That's unsafe. Let go of your rifle with one hand and reach for bear spray with your free hand--while facing a charging grizzly? You've got to be kidding, that's not safe. State fish and game departments and the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee are using misleading statistics to con hunters into using bear spray. They tell hunters that research on "Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska" shows bear spray works on grizzlies 92% of the time. They don't tell you that 49 of 50 people who used bear spray on grizzlies were hikers and non-hunters. Those folks were not holding a rifle in hand when they needed to use bear spray.

[Ken]

I feel you should still carry a bear spray. Less Lethal. It has been proven to be an effective tool to ward off bears.