Citronella -vs- Bears

“I don't know if you get the Outdoor channel where you are, but they had an interesting bear show last night. It revolved around how citronella seems to attract female bears and cubs. they actually would spray citronella on a tree and set up a camera for observation, they female bears and /or cubs went right for the sprayed spot on the tree. The male bears just sniffed the spot and moved on, but the females and cubs actually rubbe up against the tree and tore at the bark. I've never heard on such a thing, anyone else......??”

“You sure you don't mean capasctin (sp?), the active ingredient in pepper spray? Yes, it's been proven that after it oxidizes for some time it actually ATTRACTS bears. But if a polar bear's claw tears through your tent one night, a snootful of bear spray will probably convince it to hit the road.

Coupla years ago, "Outside" mag. had an article about the man-eating lions of Africa (was it Tsvango?). According to the article, if you closed all of your tent flaps, a lion wouldn't even notice you were sleeping there. Open flaps were an invitation to a mauling. Interesting, even though there's no relevance here for bears.”

“Varmit,
Thanks for the reply. I know they were specifically talking about Citronella, because I thought to myself "That's for mosquitoes". It actually was noticed when a photographer had sprayed themself with Citronella (I could see using Deet) when they where filming these black bears in MN. The black bears actually were attracted to the photographer. They also touched on the do / don'ts of pepper spray (reconfirming you thought about it acting as a attraction to bears).”

“I have heard that if you cover yourself with cinnamon it attracts bears too.”

“Nice to know Citronella is good for something, because it's as good as useless on mosquitoes.”

“Well so much for the citronella-enhanced CampSuds. Nothing like washing yourself and your gear in it, then becoming walking talking bear bait for the one thing you don't want -- a sow with cubs.

This doesn't bode well for most of the "green" bug repellents, either.”

“Hyperpacker,
Actually if you place a cinnamon stick under each arm you can create a great body marinade.

bc trailguy,
Maybe try bear spray on mosquitoes??”

“*lol*.. somebody get a camera, and let's submit something to funniest home videos..”

“I wonder if the little candles you put in your lantern light seeing that I use the citonella ones would attrack bears?”

“Just the weak-eyed ones trying to read the directions on the package of People Helper.”

“Where can you buy Pepper spray? I don't think I've erve actually seen it any where. Of course I've never really looked before though. Can you get it at Wal-Mart or is it more of a Specialty thing?”

“I use those little citronella candles too Barb. I think I'll be tossing them now. They tend to make more of a mess than those tea candles anywho.”