Non-lethal deterrents can effectively prevent a physical encounter with a bear and if used properly, cause no injury to the animal. Non-lethal deterrents can be broken into two categories, noise deterrents and physical deterrents.
Noise Deterrents
Noise deterrents can be effective in creating a negative experience without causing any harm or injury to the bear. Noise deterrents provide negative auditory and visual experiences. Noise deterrents include, but are not limited to, the following:
- air horn;
- bangers;
- screamers;
- 12-gauge crackers; and
- 12-gauge whistle crackers.
- Physical Deterrents
Physical deterrents are very effective in creating a negative experience for a bear. There
are a variety of deterrents available, but caution is needed as many can seriously injure or kill the bear if used improperly. Physical deterrents include, but are not limited to, the following:
- bear spray;
- 12-gauge bean bags;
- 12-gauge rubber slugs; and
- 12-gauge rubber buckshot.
bear spray is the preferred and recommended deterrent
- noise deterrents can be effective
- physical deterrents are effective but caution is needed
