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You likely know how your bear spray works (if not, check out Wes Siler’s comprehensive tutorial). But do you know why it works? The irritating concoction is the most reliable method on the market for putting an end to grizzly and black bear encounters than have gone south, but most of us put relatively little thought into its mechanics. For Bear Month, we spoke to Wes Larson, a bear biologist and host of Tooth and Claw podcast, about the history and science behind bear spray, the myths that people still believe about it, and why it’s still such an essential tool. Check out the highlights from our discussion below. —Adam Roy, Editor-in-Chief
From 2025