How To Properly Use Bear Spray When Hiking Wyoming

Carrying bear spray in Wyoming's wilderness does more than just protect you from bears.

It's a good idea to keep a fresh can with you.

But also, practice how to use it.

Have you ever tried to pull the pin and then pull the trigger?

Do you know the best aiming and spreading method?

What if the wind is blowing at you?

The gentleman in the video below shows us some effective bear spray techniques.

Keep the bear spray in a holster that is easy to get to. You won't have time to fish through your backpack.

Practice drawing it out like an old western quick draw. You'll probably need to move fast when you see the animal.

The spray can only hold about 8 seconds' worth of spray time, so fire in short bursts.

If you run into a bear move slowly and easily, and back away.

When bears are actually attacking, they put their heads down to get down low to their opponent.

If it's a bluff charge, they will raise their head up and try to appear bigger.

But a bluff charge can turn into a real charge real fast.

You need to be ready for anything.

If you just try to spray at the face, you might miss.

Point the bear spray toward the ground, ahead of you, then spray in an upward motion.

This gives the spray a good coverage area.

Now, what about that famous Wyoming wind?

In those cases, you might want to let the animal get just a little closer because the spray will disperse, especially in a headwind.

You might eat a little bit of it yourself, but that's okay.