Quote:
Originally Posted by Sliver
When you guys hike, do you walk around with your bear spray out of its holster and in your hand? I was doing that yesterday while shaking bear bells and thought it may be coming off as a bit paranoid, although if there was a bear attack I'd want the spray in my hand so it seems sensible, too.
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I don't carry bells. From what I have read they are not loud enough for the bears to hear you coming. I just make lots of noise. Yelling Hello Bear when going around blind corners, around noisy water and when Hiking into the wind. If you are in a tight group of 4 no one has ever been attacked. I think in a group of 4 you naturally make lots of noise just talking so it's just near other noisy areas that I yell then
For bear spray I carry it in the holster on a belt if I am day hiking and out of a holster clipped to my sternum strap if backpacking. Definately keep it accessible and out of a pack but I think in holster is good enough unless you are walking past fresh hot piles of bear scat.
The only risk with carrying it in hand would be slipping and falling and accidently discharging it or the canister bursting on rocks.
In my bear encounters there has always been time to pull out the bear spray from the holster and have never had to use it.