I went to Yellowstone in the mid-80’s before the fire. Hardly a grizzly ever in sight.
Went again in 2011 and they were everywhere. Amazing how the population has skyrocketed.
Bear spray doesn’t work either - a guy got killed in the Tetons last year I believe and he used a ton of it.
don’t spray at bear if breeze is blowing toward you.
I wouldn't say it doesn't work. Statistics support both sides. Of course I want to be prepared to defend myself when it doesn't.
The interesting thing about statistics. They'll teach you that spray works in a large percentage of cases. Should you kill a bear, you'll learn that a high percentage of charges are bluffs, and break off at about 20 yards. Shoot a charging bear at 50 yards and you'll hear about that from prosecutors. As I do carry spray, on my left side. And would certainly deploy it, at a longer than 20 yard distance. If the bear breaks through the cloud, I'll need the left to steady my right for the maybe one shot I'll get. But I can't help but wonder if the spray is stopping the bears who were bluffing anyway. And the small percentage who aren't, well, so much for the spray. Wonder if it's a crime to spray a bear orange and making his eyes run.