Mandatory Backcountry Bear Spray In Wyoming?

Wyoming introduces a bill that would require permitted backcountry users to carry bear spray.

If you’re the sort of daredevil who regularly heads into Yellowstone or Teton’s grizzly-filled backcountry without protection, you may be forced to change your ways. Wyoming plans to introduce legislation that will require backcountry users to carry bear spray.

The bill, introduced by Teton County Attorney Steve Weichman at the Yellowstone Grizzly Coordinating Committee meeting last Thursday In Jackson Hole, Wyo., would require backcountry users in grizzly country to obtain permits to carry bear spray. Many hunters oppose this rule; they say going for the spray would force them to drop their guns—often their preferred method of bear deterrence.

"There are some instances, when you’re not surprising the animal, when you may have time to get your pepper spray out,” he said. “[But] when you stumble into a bear, the minimal time you have to respond is not adequate to go through the though process [of getting your bear spray out]. You’re talking milliseconds. It’s illogical that you’re going to set your gun down and get your pepper spray.”

(P.S. many bear spray canisters come with holsters that allow you to shoot from the hip with out being drawn.)

Hunter flack is to be expected, but with grizzly-human encounters on the rise, Montana's reintroduction of the grizzly to the Endangered Species List, and high numbers of female grizzlies found dead in the last year, politicians and scientists hope to deter grizzlies through nonlethal methods. Grand Teton National Park jumped on the bandwagon with a bear spray requirement that so far has met with little resistance by hunters.

Weichman’s case is further bolstered by scientific data from Brigham Young University professor Thomas Smith. His study on bear spray effectiveness found that bear spray stopped aggressive bear attacks 92 percent of the time, while bullets only stopped attacks 67 percent of the time.

Now Weichman hopes to find a sponsor for the bill, and plans to work harder to get hunter support.

Do you carry bear spray in the backcountry? Or do you employ alternate methods to keep bears away? Let us know in the comments section below!

--Jordan Olmsted

Bear Spray Bill On The Way (Jackson Hole News & Guide)

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READERS COMMENTS

My bear spray is 230 grain hollow point.
Posted: Feb 14, 2010 Clint

I have hiked with both guns and bear spray - I feel no less protected with bear spray. If a grizzly bear really wants to bring you down - going for a gun over pepper spray isn't going to increase your chances that much.

I watched my father shoot a medium sized grizzly that was chasing him in Alaska 7 times with 300 W Mag before it went down. Encase you don't know gun lingo - that gun can also be used as an elephant gun.

I wonder how many hunters really know what it takes to bring down a grizzly, especially one in motion. Your lighter more favored sidearms are not going to go the trick, and certainly not a deer rifle, they will require many more shots than the one they are claim to only have time for. You need something much heavier and more cumbersome than most want to carry, as far as sidearms go - something in the 45-50 caliber range, for that "one" shot to work, then of course you need to be able to hit your target with that big gun, the very first try.

But on the other hand I do wonder just how many grizzlies bears are killed in the the back country, in self-defense (by hunters or anyone else), with a gun each year? Is this legislation really necessary, really?

Some hard numbers would help me form a final opinion on the matter.
Posted: Nov 10, 2009 Lostfalls

John - while I agree it would suck to be part of that 8%, my elementary mathematical knowledge tells me I have a much greater chance of being part of that 33%.
Posted: Nov 09, 2009 Blvd

"I would hate to be the other 8%. I'll keep my gun thank you"

John - I think you stopped reading at the wrong point. Here's hoping you don't become part of the 33%!

I hike in Wyoming griz country once a year and I always carry spray. That's to say that I always buy a $50 can of spray that I can't fly home with me when my trip is over and have to leave it behind or sell it before flying home. The cynical part of me thinks this is more about upping retail sales at outdoor shops than protecting hikers.
Posted: Nov 09, 2009 Mike

I carry bear spray at all times in the rockies. Seen a few grizzlies up front and personal but never had to use the spray. (they were not really interested in us) An old timer I met who hunted bear carried a paper bag full of black pepper. His reasoning is that if the bear got close enough??? he would hit the bear on the nose with the bag of b pepper and that would deter the bear. I think I would still go with the pressurized capsicum pepper spray.
Posted: Nov 08, 2009 Cliff Schneider From Calgary

I would hate to be the other 8%. I'll keep my gun thank you
Posted: Nov 08, 2009 John

Use my adage about avoiding shark attack while SCUBA diving...be faster than your buddy. Works for avoiding bears too.
Posted: Nov 06, 2009 Brian

Wow, I thought bear spray in Yellowstone back country was already mandatory. I go to sleep clutching it to my chest when I'm in the back country.

Posted: Nov 06, 2009 Jerry from Montana

Haven't been to bear country yet. Haven't seen the need to use it on my hiking partners yet. :-)
Posted: Nov 06, 2009 Mitchel