Dr. Stephen Herrero and Andrew Higgins of the University of Calgary performed a study
on the effectiveness of bear spray use in parks, refuges and other areas where people have carried these sprays for a number of years. This study produced a paper titled "Field use of capsicum spray as a bear deterrent." Here is a summary of the findings:
We analyzed 66 cases of field use of capsicum sprays between 1984 and 1994. Regarding aggressive brown/grizzly bear incidents associated primarily with close range encounters, in 94% of the cases, the spray had the effect of stopping the behaviour that the bear was displaying immediately prior to being sprayed. In six cases, the bear continued to act aggressively; in three of these cases, the bear attacked the person spraying. In one of these 3 cases, further spraying caused the bear to stop and leave. Of the three encounters that resulted in injury to the sprayer, two involved a mother with cub(s) and the other involved a single bear. In all three injurious encounters, the bear received a substantial dose of spray to the face. While it can't be known for certain how these encounters would have ended out in the absence of spray, the use of spray appears to have prevented an injury in most of this type of encounter. Regarding brown/grizzly bear incidents associated with curiosity of searching for human foods and garbage, in 100% (20/20) of the cases the spray had the effect of stopping the behaviour that the bear was displaying immediately prior to being sprayed. The bear left the area in 90% of the cases.
We analyzed 66 cases of field use of capsicum sprays between 1984 and 1994. Regarding aggressive brown/grizzly bear incidents associated primarily with close range encounters, in 94% of the cases, the spray had the effect of stopping the behaviour that the bear was displaying immediately prior to being sprayed. In six cases, the bear continued to act aggressively; in three of these cases, the bear attacked the person spraying. In one of these 3 cases, further spraying caused the bear to stop and leave. Of the three encounters that resulted in injury to the sprayer, two involved a mother with cub(s) and the other involved a single bear. In all three injurious encounters, the bear received a substantial dose of spray to the face. While it can't be known for certain how these encounters would have ended out in the absence of spray, the use of spray appears to have prevented an injury in most of this type of encounter. Regarding brown/grizzly bear incidents associated with curiosity of searching for human foods and garbage, in 100% (20/20) of the cases the spray had the effect of stopping the behaviour that the bear was displaying immediately prior to being sprayed. The bear left the area in 90% of the cases.
avoid spraying upwind since the spray may be blown back
- the effect of bear spray on individual bears will vary
- in 94% of cases, spray had an effect of stopping behaviour that bear was displaying
When transporting bear spray, prevent an accidental discharge.