According to a study conducted in 2011...
"Most fatal attacks by North American black bears during the past century were conducted by lone, male animals that stalked and then killed their human victims as prey, according to a new study by the world's top authority on what triggers bear attacks....The study examined 59 fatal encounters between black bears and humans in Alaska, Canada and the Lower 48 during the 110 years ending in 2009. Some 88 percent of the 63 deaths were caused by a bear that exhibited predatory behavior, and 92 percent of these predatory black bears were male."
According to Wikepedia...Brown bears only account for four (4) more deaths than black bears since 1890. I couldn't find any information on assaults not resulting in deaths.
Something to keep in mind is that the effects of "Pepper Spray" are approximately 70% psychological and 30% physiological (in humans)...those effects are likely similar in animals. Most importantly, the effects of pepper spray (on humans) are insignificant on goal-oriented people. Again, likely similar in animals, and if that bear's goal is to put the munch on you, a slight involuntary closure of it's eyes, isn't likely going to be a solution to your problem.
I carry a Glock 23 (.40 caliber w/ 13 rounds- hollow point). But I also get the luxury to train with it (even under stress) and am confident that 13 separate wound channels to a bear (Grizzly or Black) is more likely to stop an assualt than some pepper spray.
I know "research" has shown that pepper spray is more likely to deter an attack, but I want to stop the attack. My two cents...if you can't hit anything with a pistol when you're "plinking" you probably won't hit a bear that is charging you and stick with pepper spray...but if you ar confident with your life on the line with a pistol...I'll take that over pepper spray any day of the week.
"Most fatal attacks by North American black bears during the past century were conducted by lone, male animals that stalked and then killed their human victims as prey, according to a new study by the world's top authority on what triggers bear attacks....The study examined 59 fatal encounters between black bears and humans in Alaska, Canada and the Lower 48 during the 110 years ending in 2009. Some 88 percent of the 63 deaths were caused by a bear that exhibited predatory behavior, and 92 percent of these predatory black bears were male."
According to Wikepedia...Brown bears only account for four (4) more deaths than black bears since 1890. I couldn't find any information on assaults not resulting in deaths.
Something to keep in mind is that the effects of "Pepper Spray" are approximately 70% psychological and 30% physiological (in humans)...those effects are likely similar in animals. Most importantly, the effects of pepper spray (on humans) are insignificant on goal-oriented people. Again, likely similar in animals, and if that bear's goal is to put the munch on you, a slight involuntary closure of it's eyes, isn't likely going to be a solution to your problem.
I carry a Glock 23 (.40 caliber w/ 13 rounds- hollow point). But I also get the luxury to train with it (even under stress) and am confident that 13 separate wound channels to a bear (Grizzly or Black) is more likely to stop an assualt than some pepper spray.
I know "research" has shown that pepper spray is more likely to deter an attack, but I want to stop the attack. My two cents...if you can't hit anything with a pistol when you're "plinking" you probably won't hit a bear that is charging you and stick with pepper spray...but if you ar confident with your life on the line with a pistol...I'll take that over pepper spray any day of the week.
