Last month, my daughter had her first encounter with a bear in the nearby mountains. While her friend’s dog made it clear that their hike was being cut short, it could have been much worse. The dog stood its ground and growled, refusing to take another step, and that’s when they noticed the fresh tracks, and a bear lumbering off in the (too close for comfort) distance.
Naturally, this got me thinking, and a little research brought me to the SABRE Red website, producers of the Frontiersman Bear Attack Deterrent spray. That‘s right, bear spray! The folks at SABRE Red were nice enough to send out some samples (check back tomorrow to see the rest) for this article, but this is one product we’re very glad to receive, yet hope to never properly review. They offer two sizes – 7.9 ounces, and 9.2 ounces. Don’t skimp, get the big one. It‘s 9.2 ounces of the maximum allowable amount of heat-bearing and pain-producing Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) components, with a range of 35 feet. Both sizes include a glow in the dark safety stop that slides under the trigger mechanism, and is attached loosely with a zip-tie. With one finger through the ring in the canister, it’s easy enough to pop it out, and then squeeze the trigger, releasing that scorching spray. Unlike lethal weapons, surgical accuracy is not required. Get some of that spray in the bear’s face, and it will experience pain and temporary blindness, forgetting all about making a snack out of you. It’s not recommended that you stop for photos at that time though, that’s when you make your getaway.
Frontiersman is hotter, shoots farther, and delivers that burning payload quicker than any other spray on the market. Although you can test fire it in a safe area, they advise not to spray for more than a half second, as their dual propellant empties the entire canister in just five seconds. This stuff is serious business! As far as carry options, there’s a handy belt holster, or a chest rig, which is probably the better choice when you’ve got a backpack on. Note that there are safety warnings aplenty, and discharging the spray in a manner inconsistent with its labeling is a crime.
Based on testing as well as actual feedback from state and government agencies in the US and Canada, SABRE Red Frontiersman Bear Attack Repellent is a proven product that can and will deter a charging bear when used as directed. For more info, go to www.SabreRed.com
– Brian