The Armory Life Forum

Don't Be Attractive...

Not being attractive to bears is pretty is straightforward: don't smell like food. If you are camping in bear country, do everything you can to avoid inadvertently luring bears to your campsite. Don’t leave scraps of food around the campsite or in your tent. Bear canisters are a smart way to keep hungry bears away. Watertight and scent-proof, these products are easy for humans to open and access their meals and snacks but practically impossible for bears to get into.

Make Noise

To avoid surprising bears as you hike, let them know you are coming. Simply talking loudly, even if you’re by yourself, can help alert bears to your presence.
Attach bear bells to your pack or other gear to give bears safe notice of your approach.
Bear horns provide an even louder announcement of your arrival in the bears’ home turf. Periodic blasts from these loud air horns as you make your way along a trail will let bears know you are in the area.

Be Prepared to Defend Yourself

Make sure you hike with your bear spray in a holster, so that it's immediately accessible if and when you need it. It won't do you any good at the bottom of your pack. Choose from a chest holster or a belt holster. Frontiersman Bear Spray holsters don’t have cumbersome straps (which can cost precious seconds) or Velcro closures, which can create an aggravating sound and cause the bear to charge.

Now, pull your bear spray out of its holster. If a bear is charging, steadily aim (aim low so the bear runs into the spray vs. under it) and deploy your bear spray at the bear's face.