Think quick!  A bear is staring you down from less than 20 feet away.  What do you do?

If you are like most people, your first thought is to run away as fast as you can.  That’s the worst thing you can do when a bear is eyeing you down.

Instead of making a run for it, your best course of action is to stand your ground.  Wildlife experts advise roaring at the bear and raising your hands up high as though you are a bear yourself.

The Missing Piece to Your Hiking and Camping Experiences

There’s one more important thing to do when confronted by a bear in the wilderness: grab your bear spray! 

Raise your arms with bear spray in-hand while yelling at the top of your lungs.  There’s a good chance the predator will reverse course.

In the event that the bear moves toward you, you’ll have bear spray at your disposal.  This spray is exponentially more effective than any other weapon of self-defense but for a gun.

There’s no sense carrying a loaded gun while hiking or camping unless you plan on hunting.

The “Why” of Bear Spray

Though it might be possible to deter a bear with yelling and clapping, those deterrents are not guaranteed to work.  Instead of resorting to carrying a gun into the wild, choose bear spray.

In some cases, it only takes a couple quick short spray bursts to send a bear scurrying away.  The spray ingredients really are potent enough to cause a bear to reverse course.

A word to the wise: store your bear spray in a dry and cool area.  Be sure to check the can’s expiration date after removing it from storage as expired cans are likely to have insufficient pressure.

How to Choose the Right Bear Spray

No two bear sprays are the same.  Venture into the wild with the right can of bear spray and you’ll have a lifesaver on your hands.

When shopping for bear spray, be mindful of the ingredients, expiration date and user feedback.  Search the web to get a sense of what fellow hikers and campers have to say about each individual spray.

The best bear sprays shoot upwards of 20 feet.  The industry’s top sprays allow for deployment in 2-3 second bursts from even farther away.  Such bursts create a protective barrier that the bear is unlikely to penetrate.

Take a look at bear spray ingredients and you’ll find mention of capsaicin and capsaicinoids, both of which are essential for warding off bears.

Better Safe Than Sorry

When perusing the bear spray market, zero in on those with special features. 

As an example, the best bear spray cans glow in the dark.  Such illumination ensures hikers and campers can find the canister in a split second at night.

Price shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.  Spend for a high-quality spray and you’ll venture into nature with full confidence.

The bottom line is that your life is invaluable.   

Shop Lotz Before Hiking and Camping

Whether your hobby is hiking, camping or fishing, Lotz has what you need. 

Check out our inventory and you’ll find the perfect new gear and supplies for your outdoor adventures.  We make it easy to buy bear spray online.

Create a new account and you’ll receive 5% off all purchases.  Click the blue button in the bottom right corner of your screen to sign up, refer and earn.