Bear Boarding Boats in the North Channel

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by taxwizz

What do you call a bear that attacks too many boats?



Dinner.

Rug.
Coat.
Stuffed and mounted.

[B25Matt]

A word of warning to our American friends entering Canada with US bear spray. Its illegal as its considered too potent and hence a weapon. The Canadian made stuff is not as potent.

Here's a recent story of a man who had no choice but to duke it out with a bear!

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbu...bear-1.3663954

From the article, did you know bears were right handed (pawed)!?

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by B25Matt

A word of warning to our American friends entering Canada with US bear spray. Its illegal as its considered too potent and hence a weapon. The Canadian made stuff is not as potent.

Here's a recent story of a man who had no choice but to duke it out with a bear!

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbu...bear-1.3663954

From the article, did you know bears were right handed (pawed)!?

Bear spray is legal in Canada for use only against attacking animals and is regulated by Health Canada and the Pest Control Products Act. Spraying people with bear spray is strictly prohibited. Under the Canadian Criminal Code it is illegal to sell, advertise or carry any product designed for personal protection against human attack.

When it comes to mace, which has a higher concentration of oleoresin capsicum, [e.g. 10 to 30%] it is flat-out prohibited in Canada.

Does it say bear spray or bear repellent? To be legal in Canada, the label must clearly show that it is intended for use on animals [deterrent or repellent]; the package volume cannot exceed 500 ml.
Recommended size and strength: a 225 ml can (provides for about 10 seconds worth) with 0.75%-1% capsaicin [OC] and a total content with inclusion of related Capsaicinoid of 2%.

Spray in short bursts aiming directly at the bears face, about 1 to 2 second durations. Don't empty the can in a single long burst. The point is to place a fog between you and the bear and get some on it.

Purchasing Bear Spray
Under the Canadian Pest Controls Products Act, bear spray may only be sold in Canada by authorized vendors who maintain proper sales records. Information gathered during sale must include a purchaser's name and address, the amount purchased, and a signed Notice to Purchaser Agreement.

The Agreement outlines the legal uses of bear spray and contains a liability warning. Purchasers will in effect sign a waiver assuming all risk during bear encounters. It is illegal to sell bear spray to anyone under the age of 18 or to anyone unwilling to sign the Notice to Purchaser Agreement.

Transporting Bear Spray
Transport Canada classifies bear spray canisters as Class 2 dangerous goods. Airline passengers are prohibited from carrying bear spray in checked and carry-on baggage.

Importing Bear Spray into Canada [Border Control]
The Canada Border Services Agency lists these requirements for the bear spray to be allowed entry:

Exception: Aerosol or similar dispensers that contain substances capable of repelling or subduing animals (e.g. dog or bear repellent) are not considered prohibited weapons if:

(i) the label of the container indicates specifically that it is for use against animals only; and

(ii) the provisions of the Pest Control Products Act are met.

(iii) In order for a device or dispenser to be considered to meet the above criteria, it must be apparent that the device was designed exclusively for the control or use against animals. The manufacturer’s label and specifications will be deemed as the design of the product. The misuse of these or any other similar device may nonetheless be punishable under other laws.

(iv) Please note that there is no minimum quantity or capacity requirements (in terms of grams or milliliters) in making the determination with respect to animal repellents.

The main ingredient in bear spray, which evolved from tear gas and pepper spray used by police, is a derivative of capsaicin, a red-pepper oil that causes severe irritation to the mouth, eyes, nose and lungs. The effects of the spray decrease within 30 to 40 minutes and have no permanent last effects on the animal.

A 2008 "Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska" study stated:

"Red pepper spray stopped bears’ undesirable behavior 92% of the time when used on brown bears, 90% for black bears, and 100% for polar bears.
Of all persons carrying sprays, 98% were uninjured by bears in close-range encounters.
All bear-inflicted injuries (n = 3) associated with defensive spraying involved brown bears and were relatively minor (i.e., no hospitalization required).
In 7% (5 of 71) of bear spray incidents, wind was reported to have interfered with spray accuracy, although it reached the bear in all cases.
In 14% (10 of 71) of bear spray incidents, users reported the spray having had negative side effects upon themselves, ranging from minor irritation (11%, 8 of 71) to near incapacitation (3%, 2 of 71).
Bear spray represents an effective alternative to lethal force and should be considered as an option for personal safety for those recreating and working in bear country."

In Montana we classify Griz as dangerous goods and don't have restrictions on bear spray, or its purchase, or even its use against attacks by humans. Children are encouraged to carry in Montana when hiking and camping.
Bear spray works well against most animals, great on mountain lions, troublesome dogs, wolves, coyotes, not sure I would want to go head to head with a Skunk though as to determining who can spray the furthest and most obnoxiously.

[Iaangus]

Originally Posted by Rorzech

The last guy I knew that sprayed a bear, got eaten by it. His buddy that didn't stick around lived. Best thing is a 12 g 00Buck shot.

I’d recommend slugs. (if I had to shoot it.)

[Jammer]

News flash: Study shows that bear spray saves lives 100% of the time, according to people questioned after using it.

[JPA Cate]

^^^^^^^Well, sure, dead men tell no tales.

The other 2% don't talk any more....

Ann

[john61ct]

Obligatory funny sign

[Montanan]

So apparently there are bearboat charters in the North Channel.

[waterman46]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

Most people wait a long time for the opportunity to see a bear. You should feel rewarded by the chance to commune with nature.

Wait a long time to see a bear?? If you go camping anywhere in the Sierra or Appalachians they are thick as flies and after the first sighting they can become an annoyance

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Obligatory funny signAttachment 176508

Very cute , and kinda true. Grizzlies are different than black bears. Black bears generally are not a big deal. They are looking for an easy meal. Killing a human is not easy, so they rarely do it. The vast majority of attacks with black bears occur when someone is being stupid (like not managing their food appropriately), or when they’ve stumbled into a situation with a sow and cubs, or when a bear is guarding a food cache of some sort.

Grizzlies, on the other hand, will look at a human as a possible meal. But to be clear, there are no grizzlies in the North Channel. None.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

^^^^^^^Well, sure, dead men tell no tales.

The other 2% don't talk any more....

Ann

Cute play on statistics.

Fortunately no one died [in the course of that study].

2% incurred minor injuries not requiring hospitalization.

And no animals were hurt either.

[sailorboy1]

Why can’t we just focus on the humor of the original story.

I want to listen in on the phone call to the insurance company when the interior rebuild claim is submitted.

[bcboomer]

A friend in BC had a black bear come onto his porch looking around. He figured he'd give it a shot of bear spray. The bear got so mad it tore up the porch and knocked out the roof supports. About $30,000 in damage.

[Kelkara]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Grizzlies, on the other hand, will look at a human as a possible meal.

I think you've got that backwards. It's a long time since I read Stephen Herrero's book, but I'm pretty sure his conclusions were that Black Bears were more predatory towards humans ... Grizzlies are more aggressive with less fear of people, but their attacks are more usually defensive or territorial ... not that it really matters once you're dead.

[CFS Klopas]

Hopefully Farmers covers boats.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN_uw_AkVNQ