Bear Spray now legal in GSMNP

“I first read about this issue on the YourSmokies blog when I was doing some research on bears. It seems until very recently it was illegal to carry bear spray in GSMNP. Now the on their hiking page (http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/hiking.htm) the park service says it's okay:
"Bear pepper spray may be carried by hikers within Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the strict purpose of protection against bodily harm from aggressive wildlife. It should not be applied to people, tents, packs, other equipment or surrounding area as a repellent. Bear pepper spray is a chemical formula designed specifically to deter aggressive or attacking bears. It must be commercially manufactured and labeled as “Bear Pepper Spray" and be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and individual states. Bear spray must contain between 1% to 2% of the active ingredients capsaicin and related capsaicinoids."

Here's the YourSmokies original post on the Park Service stance on Pepper Spray: http://yoursmokies.blogspot.com/2009/04/is-bear-pepper-spray-legal-or-illegal.html

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“until very recently it was illegal to carry bear spray in GSMNP

i did not know that”

“It must not have been enforced very hard. I've been there with one of the smaller sprayers in clear sight of the rangers and ridgerunners.
last edited: 9/15/09 6:38:01 AM”

“Likewise!”

“IMHO, 1 -2% caspicum will only piss the bastard off.

I would have thought they would at least go to 5%.”

“You're correct, chili36. Even 3% is considered people-spray! You want about 15% for the bears.”

“I just learned something new.

Read this, NS.

http://www.centerforwildlifeinformation.org/BeBearAware/BearSpray/bearspray.html”

“Thanks, chili36. That waa definitely informative.

I have had two situations, when I had my spray can out. On the second of the occasions I did try to spray as the bear was leaving. The spray lever did not work! I had to depress the center of the can's top attachment. From now on I will always try out a new can to make sure that it works properly.

On the other occasion, the bear stopped it's charge about four feet from me. I'm glad I did not have to use the spray, since I later learned the the lever would not have worked.

Again, thanks for posting that article. I shall try to follow some of the things that were included there. However, I do not agree with using the long distance spraying, unless one is sure that the bear intents to charge all the way.
last edited: 9/15/09 8:46:27 AM”

“Chili, I second the thanks for the informative article. I've been reading a lot lately on bears and bear attacks. Not because of fear but I am quite fascinated by bear behavior. I just bought a book: "Bear Attacks - Their Causes and Avoidance" I stumbled upon it in the used bookstore. I'll post some data points if anyone's interested.

I'd also like to begin gathering some data on GSMNP only attacks, charges, encounters from first hand accounts. I think it would be valuable information to have. If for no other reason than the WOW factor.”

“Thanks, I would appreciate that.”

“sleahcim - Stick around. I'm working on a short book or pamphlet with 22 personal bear experiences that I've had in GSMNP. Included is one experience in which the bears were talking and one responded with some action. The type of language was different from anything I've been able to locate on the internet.

On another occasion a bear did growl at me. It was giving me a message of it's intention, which it then exercised.”

“I'd say this lady could use some bear spray.....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5C2gihnEkE&feature=player_embedded”

“I LOL every time I see that old clip.”

“wait, you sprayed a bear as it was LEAVING? what's up with that?”

“How could I be sure he was leaving? I just wanted to encourage it to stay away all night.”

“or come back to get revenge!”

“thats why I carry two cans....

the second is for the revenge attack...

'32oz”

“i don't do the bear spray..”

“lol... nowslimmer shot a bear that was leaving.”