AK: Park Biologist Wards Off Charging Bear With Spray

[308Mike]

From the NPS Morning Report for Friday, July 30, 2010. I wonder if he was also carrying a large caliber handgun for backup since he was apparently working by himself (we just got done watching a few "Maneater" shows on TV which featured grizzly bears and black bears):

Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve (AK)
Park Biologist Wards Off Charging Bear With Spray

Park biologist Craig Murdoch was conducting a fisheries survey on the Bartlett River trail late on the morning of July 27th. While hiking along the shoreline of the river, he heard movement in the grass across the river from him, a distance of about 150 feet. As he turned to see what was making the noise, he saw a full grown brown bear charging towards him. Murdoch yelled at the bear and grabbed for his bear spray, which was in his backpack. The bear continued its charge and got within about 15 feet when Murdoch sprayed him. The bear veered away, continued running into the woods, and did not return for a second pass.

The Bartlett River trail is temporarily closed until a full assessment of the area can be conducted. This is the first documented behavior of this type by brown bears along this river, although they’re in the area fishing for sockeye salmon. The park provides training for all staff who work in the backcountry in the use and deployment of bear spray, including simulation of incidents of this type. [Submitted by Gus Martinez, Bay District Ranger]

[Fill]

anyone wanna bet that the bear spray has a new home on his belt?

[Lokidude]

anyone wanna bet that the bear spray has a new home on his belt?

That's where it's supposed to be anyways. He should know better.

[308Mike]

anyone wanna bet that the bear spray has a new home on his belt?

That's where it's supposed to be anyways. He should know better.

Along with his S&W .44 Magnum (at MINIMUM)!

[Netpackrat]

I don't think that anybody knowledgeable has ever claimed that bear spray cannot work; the problem is in order for it to be effective, you have to let the bear get so close that if it doesn't, you won't have time to effectively switch to ballistic repellant. That's simply a tradeoff that I'm not willing to make. If a bear starts charging me, I'm not going to wait for it to get that close, in case follow up shots are required.

[308Mike]

So, you're saying you'd pretty much have to draw BOTH at the same time and hope it stops with the repellent and have already started squeezing the trigger in case it doesn't?

[Netpackrat]

You might recall, that in a previous forum I started a thread about the feasability of mounting a cannister of bear spray to a light rail installed on a shotgun or guide gun.

[Denis]

anyone wanna bet that the bear spray has a new home on his belt?

As soon as he has washed and dried his pants, I'd say...

[Flintlock Tom]

Aren't there teargas cartridges for shotguns?
Load them with bear spray and alternate with slugs?

[Lokidude]

I don't think that anybody knowledgeable has ever claimed that bear spray cannot work; the problem is in order for it to be effective, you have to let the bear get so close that if it doesn't, you won't have time to effectively switch to ballistic repellant. That's simply a tradeoff that I'm not willing to make. If a bear starts charging me, I'm not going to wait for it to get that close, in case follow up shots are required.

What he said.