As a follow up to my previous post; YES Bear spray CAN work very well. But it is not a guarantee. I have used it to halt several charges/bluffs and gained space to make my exit from the location. I've also used it to get numerous (Dozens of) stubborn bears out of garbage bins, pickup truck beds, etc. But I have also seen a small percentage completely undeterred by it despite a clean shot to the face. There is a big difference between wildlife management and personal defense, but there is no doubt that spray is the best close-range tool for the typical hiker or biker in the backcountry (right behind education, awareness, and a cautious approach). But it is one tool among many, and each has it's own place and time.
For just nosy and bold habituated bears (accustomed to people and our food) just checking you out a close range or trying to intimidate you off your cooler, it can be enough to get the startling blast to the face to turn them around. They WILL try and come back later a majority of the time - so clear out.
For startled, aggressive, or potentially predatory animals, a good dose of spray at the right moment can definitely break off an attack or charge. As long as you get it in the right place in the right dose, it can blind and disorient them enough to cause them to run away while you exit. Just keep in mind that there are many factors involved that can influence it's effectiveness. I always say CAN, not WILL. It is a last-stage defense outside of firearms.
It should never be used to hold your ground (or campground) long-term, as they often come back to the wonderfully spiced-up scene, and most bears learn fast. That becomes wildlife management, and is an entirely different and exhaustive topic.
As for gear, this isn't a specific endorsement, but I carry this kit whenever I'm camping or hiking in truly remote locations (i.e. not highly-trafficked tourist areas) with as powerful a spray as I can purchase. I like the Frontiersman 2%, it definitely works and has good range - but empties fast (That's potentially a good thing, as long as you have more bottles around). FYI; The air horns are sometimes unreliable, freeze up, and break, so just be aware of that. The bangers and screamers (and signal flares) work well at medium range - but are a significant fire hazard in high season and require practice to learn the range and arc. If you plan to backcountry camp often outside of busy established sites, an additional big bottle (longer range) is a very good investment, and every adult in the group should have a small bottle and keep it on them. You often can't fly with it, so if you travel just rent or buy what you can locally and donate unused bottles to the next unprepared camper. Always check the expiry date, and store them well so they don't freeze or leak pressure (or pop) due to excessive heat like being kept in a hot car all summer.
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