Amongst many other self-defense items available to use against bears. Bear spray for the most part in non-lethal toward bears, but will definitely give them an abrupt burning sensation in the Face, Eyes, and Sinuses when sprayed.
Bear spray is very popular between Backpackers, thru-hikers, hikers in general, and really anybody that is enjoying activities in areas that are known to have bears.
Bear spray is a great item to have with you, on the rare occasion of a standoff between yourself and one of the forests largest animals (Bear).
when forced into a situation that could be life or death it is very important that you have easy access to your bear pepper spray. For that reason, we will be going over ways and procedures to which you can use in order to carry your bear spray properly, and have easy, access.
Oh, and always carry it with you! Because Like many say, “The one time you don’t have it, is when you will need it”It’s best you always have it with you, on your person, and have easy access to it.
How To Pack & Carry Your Bear Spray
Bear spray is about the size of a 12 to 16 fl oz water bottle and weighs out to about 8 ounces, or 226 Grams. Not Bad to have to carry along, considering the protection it can provide you in the rare occasion of a run-in with an aggressive bear. Because of its lightweight, and somewhat small size.
You can mount it on your person in many ways such as: On the side of your hip, Hanging On a backpack straps, in your water bottle carry holder. Really anywhere on your person where you have the easiest access. Typically this will be somewhere in the midsection of the body (Chest to Hips). But mounted on the side of the leg is also a great option.
Now that you have a good idea as to where on your person you should mount your bear spray for the easiest access but now you may be facing another problem? That being how to mount it.
So this raises the question of, What are the available bear spray carry options, and where on my person will that carry option be located?
Available Carry Options For Backpackers & Hikers
There are many options available on the market today really anything from bear spray carry holster to a simple carabiner allowing you to hang the bear spray on your easily accessible pack straps, or belt Loops…
My goal here is to provide you with the options that are available, the location on your person that those options can be used, And the cost that will come with each option
Chest Area
- Backpack Shoulder Strap Mount – This one will likely need to be modified slightly, given the provided different clip-ons designed for each individual backpack. Nonetheless, if you can make it work The shoulder strap mount is probably the best, but will require some sort of holster for your bear spray.
- Mount On Sternum Strap – For those with backpacks, you likely will have a Sternum strap (That strap that runs Vertical across your chest. From one shoulder strap to the other). This will make for a great location to mount your bear spray. But you will need a holster, otherwise, you will likely quickly get annoyed by the can of bear spray swinging around, dangling for a carabiner or something alike…
Hip Area
- Hang On The Hip Belt Of You Backpack – That strap that runs Vertical across you wast. Is another great location to mount you bear spray. I prefer this one personally because it puts the can of bear spray away from my face /upper body but still keeps it easily accessible. To make this mount even better! Get yourself a holster, and your golden!
- Use A Simple Carabiner – Carabiners make hanging small items such as keys, water bottles, and other smaller items easy and doable. Ideally, you will use a carabiner to hang your bear spray from a strap on your backpack In a location where you have easy access when the backpack is on. Or by a belt loop. One Quick note when using Carabiners. Don’t use one that has a locking mechanism, or is hard to open / Gain access to your bear spray. You see, the idea here is to have easy, and quick access to it. A Simple (Non-locking) Carabiner will work.
- Get A Belt Mount Holster – Many bear spray holsters, and just holsters in general often times have a belt loop you can slip your waist belt through. These make mounting your bear spray on your hip, or waist easy and simple.
Leg Area
- Side Pocket Of Your Pants – Some pants come with large side pockets, Typically around the outer thigh, knee, or mid-calf. Now depending on the pocket size and location, you have on your pants? This could be a viable carry option. However, some do say it can get quite annoying, as the can of bear spray will sometimes swing back and forth, occasionally hitting the side of their leg. Obviously, depending on the fit of your pants. This may, or may not be a problem.
As you can probably tell, up to now this has been mostly geared toward Backpackers, and Hikers But what about those of you who are bikers, or runners?
Bear Spray Carry Options For Mountain Bikers
- Many mountain bikes have a Water bottle holder located somewhere in the center section of the bike frame. This is a great place to have your bear spray, as this is easily accessible, and if you have the skills, can be used as your riding. Now you may be wondering: But where do I put my water bottle if I have my bear spray in my water bottle holder? This is where a Hydration pack or water blader will come in handy. Hydration packs make accessing you water easier. Think of it as getting “2 Birds with 1 Stone”. You Gain easier access to your Bear Spray and Easier Acess to your Water.
If you’re going to use this mounting idea on your mountain bike. I recommend you get a case or strap that will hold your bear spray inside the water bottle holder. As often times, and I find this occurs a lot with water bottles as well. The likely hood of your bear spray falling out is quite high, at least given the experience I’ve had… So, to solve this problem simply get a strap, or case that will hold the bear spray in the holder.
- Mount it on your Hydration Pack – This way if you all off your bike and start running you sill have your bear spray within reach.
Bear Spray Carry Options For Runners
- May runners, run with a “Runners pack“. If you don’t, I know what you’re probably thinking: I Don’t wear a fanny pack when I run… But with today’s slim fit waist packs you may be willing to reconsider, at least when you are running in bear country. These waist packs make carrying bear spray a breeze.
- Or Like said above you could get a simple waist belt carry holster for your bear spray. It’s possible it came with one, And simply wear an average waist belt and mount your bear spray to it. This option will be less as bulky as using a runners pack. And may even provide you with better accessibility when running on the trail.
Where Not To Carry Your Bear Spray
Don’t carry your bear spray anywhere where access will be restricted.
Think about this: Say your hiking along through the woods, and out of nowhere a bear comes running at you. What you didn’t realize is you got a little to close to a mama bear and her cubs. Because of this she is now upset and charging at you, thinking you are a threat to here young.
How would you be able to defend yourself in this theoretical situation you didn’t realize you were walking into. If your bear spray was tucked away in your backpack, not easily accessible?
This is why I stress the importance of Having your Bear spray easily accessible. Obviously, you won’t know the situation you may find yourself in, this is why you should always be prepared, and have your bear spray at the ready.
This Is Why
Watch a couple of these bear encounters and evaluate what you would do in each situation.
Final
Be sure to keep your bear spray where you can easily access it, but also keep it somewhere on your person that it will not become annoying as you hike. This is why my preferred method when backpacking, is by hanging it on the waist strap, of my backpack as I hike. It is easily accessible, and it not in my way. But do whichever option works best for you.
Hope you were able to find some value from this. If you have any carry ideas of your own that work well for you? Post them below, We all would appreciate any other ideas.