Do you carry bear spray when you hike?

[pksystems]

Only when I'm going to a trail that isn't busy. If there is lots of tourists, I know I can outrun most of them.

[ckcarr]

Well, one reason you carry bear spray is to drive the bear off unharmed so it doesn't have to be euthanized.

Sometimes bears can get a little aggressive around here, especially when there are scare food sources in a dry season. And then they found it and killed it. I guess maybe in other areas where they are more accustomed to humans, less of a threat. Around here all the ranchers carry bear spray - on their hip. Does you no good in a pack.

Bear attacks 13-year-old boy near Moab
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources searching for young bear to euthanize it

https://www.deseret.com/utah/2019/8/9/20799858/bear-attacks-13-year-old-boy-near-moab#a-black-bear-attacked-a-13-year-old-boy-at-the-dewey-bridge-campground-in-grand-county-on-the-morning-of-friday-aug-9-2019

[Dantilla]

My wife took a class in proper use of bear spray.

Bottom line: Do NOT spray right at the bear. Once the bear is close enough, you are to spray towards the ground between you and the bear in an arc .
The spray bounces up, creating a "wall" that it will not cross.

Spray at the bear under duress, and one may spray right past the bear, and to get away from the spray, the bear may run straight ahead.
Without the "Wall", the bear will be unpredictable.
Even spraying right in the face may not be effective. Yikes!

There needs to be a "Do not cross" line in order to repel the bear into retreat.

Like others have mentioned, Black bears are no threat (just don't get between momma and her cubs). Black bears avoid humans

Grizzly? You ain't the top of the food chain.

[cantdrv55]

Originally Posted by gary1101

Bear spray in the Sierra national parks is prohibited. If you are backpacking a bear canister is required in specific areas. Regardless of the area, a canister is always the easiest and most effective way to protect bears from getting your food. Check out the following link.

https://www.myyosemitepark.com/things-to-do/no-bear-spray-allowed

Thanks for the info and link but I think I’m still going to carry.

[gregpark]

I chased this guy off my fountain with a garden hose last spring (between Yosemite and Tahoe). Those guys are big sissies

[Jolly Amaranto]

In September, my kids and I were hiking in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. As they have both black bears and grizzlies we were all packing bear spray. Only saw one grizzly and it was a ways off so did not have to use any. It's that brown thing in the stream between the rocks in this photo.

[look 171]

We go up to Tahoe often and black bears are all over the parking lot of the hotel at night looking for food in the big dumpsters. They are pretty much harmless. I stomp my feet, they run off in hurry. there are no grizzlies in CA anymore so you will be safe. Just make sure if it all goes south, make your kid carries the big back pack as you both run off.