Bear Pepper Spray

Bear pepper spray is NOT the same as personal defense spray. It must be E.P.A. registered to be effective against bears. And must contain 1.3%-2% capsaicin and related capsaicinoids. The suggested spray distance is at least 15-20 feet or more and it should produce a cloud pattern that last 6 seconds or more.

Read this advisory from the National Park Service for important tips in using bear pepper spray. [direct link to the NPS-YELLOWSTONE website]

Bear pepper spray is a very effective deterrent.

SOURCES:

(1) Bear Spray by Guard Alaska

(2) UDAP Pepper Power Fogger

(3) Frontiersman Bear Attack Deterrent

Kodiak Bear Bells

To avoid a close encounters with bears, attach a bell to your backpack, walking stick and/or shoe. The bells are the best means of letting the bears know you are hiking along the trail -- giving the animal time to leave the area.

SOURCE: Kodiak Wildlife Products

Supersound Signal Horn

These (or marine horns) can be found locally at retail outlets where boating supplies are sold, or at FalconSafety.com

The piercing blast can be heard up to 1/2 mile on land, and a mile over water.

Bear-proof Bird Feeder Design

The advice from experts is that you should not leave bird feeders out during the bears' active season, particularly in spring and fall. But if you insist, the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary offers the following plan for a feeder suspension system for your yard:

Your fixed supports need to be sturdy, such as 4x4 posts positioned in concrete, trees, or even the side of a building.

The feeder should be located at least 5-feet from either supports.

You can add a winch (#3 above) with a locking mechanism to raise and lower the feeder for filling.

The cable and winch should be at least 10-feet above the ground.

Bear-proof Trash Containers

This is a list of vendors who specialize in bear-proof trash containers. Search through the list for container types that suit your specific needs, as some are more geared for commercial vs. residential locations. There are a lot of great ideas here! (and you gotta love the names):

1. Bear Saver - http://www.bearsaver.com/
2. McClintock Metal - http://www.mcclintockmetal.com/
3. BearProofing-R-Us - http://www.bearproofing-r-us.com/
4. UnBearAble Bins - http://www.unbearablebins.com/
5. No Bear Can - http://www.nobearcan.com/
6. Western Systems & Fabrication Inc. -http://www.westernsystem.com/
7. Serio-Us Lock - http://www.seriouslock.com/
8. Bear Proof Containers - http://www.bearproofcontainers.com/index.html
9. Solid Waste Systems - http://www.bearproofsystems.com/
10. Bear Necessities - http://www.bearbins.com/index.htm
11. BearProof Inc - http://www.bearproofinc.com/index.php?p=1
12. Bearicuda Bins - http://www.bearicuda.com/
13. Critter Can - http://www.crittercan.org/
14. BearVault - http://www.bearvault.com/
15. Volunteer Drum - http://www.volunteerdrum.com/
16. BearGuard - http://www.bearguardinfo.com/pictures.html

Rex Plus Electronic Watchdog, Barking Dog Alarm

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Few security systems are as intimidating as an angry barking dog. The Rex Plus security system sees through walls and doors to detect when someone approaches your home and then it barks just like a real German Shepherd. It works to scare off bears or human intruders when the intruder is within a few feet of the door or window where this device is located. Best for when you are away from home.

SOURCE: http://www.amazon.com/ED-50-Electronic-Watchdog-Barking-Alarm/dp/B002XITC5G

Unwelcome Mats

Directions for construction and use from the Los Padres Bear Aware network:

"Unwelcome mats are basically boards full of nails pointing up, that are placed in front of doors and windows to discourage bears from entering buildings. They are simple and inexpensive to make.

The sheet of plywood must be large enough so that a bear cannot lean from one edge and reach the door or window, and should ideally extend past the sides of the door or window by 60 cm (2 ft).

A 4x4 sheet of plywood would provide minimal protection for a single doorway, while a 4x8 sheet will be needed for most sliding patio doors. Use the thickest plywood possible and galvanized roofing nails with the large flat head. The nails should be long enough to stick out of the wood 2 - 2.5 cm (¾ - 1 in).

If the nails are too long and not strong enough, the bears will discover that they can simply bend them over and step on them. The nails should be nailed into the board about 5 cm (2 in) apart so that there is no way a bear can get his paw on the board.

The sheet of plywood also has to be secured so that the bear cannot simply push it out of its way. If it is placed on a wooden surface, a couple of nails pounded through the plywood should secure it. If the mat is placed on dirt, pieces of rebar can be pounded through the corners into the ground to secure it.

Caution tape should be placed around the area of the mat so that people do not accidentally step on the nails."