Deseret News | Bill to require bear spray for Wyoming recreationists

Reader comments
Bill to require bear spray for Wyoming recreationists

Hunting man | 9:09 a.m. Nov. 4, 2009

Lets see, I am going to drop my 300 mag so I can pick up my bear spray when confronted by a grizzly bear that stands 9+feet tall on its hind legs. So I can spray him in the eyes while he is eating me...Hmmmm... just give me the ticket - I'll pay the fine.Duh....

rnoble | 9:10 a.m. Nov. 4, 2009

it seems appropriate to recommend bear spray but it does not call for mandatory rules---let people decide for themselves---i have been in bear country myself and felt no need to fear the bears---just don't sneak up on them and they will avoid you---

Jim | 9:12 a.m. Nov. 4, 2009

Ridiculous! This bill would be number one on a Letterman top ten list: The ten best ways to anger a grizzly bear.

Be smart. Pack a 45 cal. when you're in bear country.

Comments continue below

The hunting right wing | 9:14 a.m. Nov. 4, 2009

The old joke in Denali is that pepper spray and bells should be carried and can also be used to identify Grizzly bear poop. No way I drop my high power rifle to pick up bear spray... Give me the fine and the ticket...These people have never been 30 feet from these animals, I have.... pepper spray is foolishness.

Amos | 9:55 a.m. Nov. 4, 2009

I'm glad the Tyrannosaurus Rex is extinct. Otherwise, they would be protected. What would we take into the wilderness to protect ourselves then?
Thank goodness global cooling got them. I wonder what man did to cause that global cooling? Just rambling thoughts.

Ynpdrms Crystal | 10:31 a.m. Nov. 4, 2009

I have Always carried Bear Spray myself when Hiking in YNP or any where else as I can not carry a gun in YNP and also do not own one. However to make it a law to carry is not going to stop encounters. Proper education is the only way to improve the out come of a bear to human encounter because just carrying the spray does not mean the person will know how to use it properly. Wyoming requires hunters safety classes to hunt I hope they are teaching bear safety with that =) Also an educational information with any license fishing hunting or which ever would maybe help if it is read. Anyone heading into the wilderness should educate them selves to the area and the wildlife how tos before ever setting out, they are accountable for them selves lets keep it that way. Putting bear spray in the hands of the uneducated will not help the person or the bears.

Politicians | 10:40 a.m. Nov. 4, 2009

have zero common sense...
Test question for a politician: If a grizzly bear is charging you, what would you sooner have?

a)pepper spray
b)a pocket knife
c)a good pair of running shoes
d)a gun

Ernest T. Bass | 11:15 a.m. Nov. 4, 2009

Bears are the number one threat to national security right now.

Sam | 12:00 p.m. Nov. 4, 2009

Why don't we pass a law that makes it illegal for a grizzly bear to eat a person? Or that requires a grizzly bear to carry pepper spray? Makes about as much sense. And nearly as enforceable.

Better Management | 12:17 p.m. Nov. 4, 2009

Nation Park and Forest officials need to be more aggressive in managing populations, same with the wolves that are escaping parks and invading private property across the west.

Astounding ignorance | 2:05 p.m. Nov. 4, 2009

Carry a gun? How can you people fail to realize realize that wildlife experts universally agree that bear spray is a far better deterrant for a bear than a gun?

Astounding? | 11:05 p.m. Nov. 4, 2009

Looks like we need some better "wildlife experts" with at least a little common sense. Maybe next time hire somewhere other than outside a PETA or SIerra Club meeting?

If going in bear country, carry a gun. A BIG GUN!

Bear Experts? | 12:57 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I wonder how many so-called bear experts have personally faced a charging grizzly bear once, let alone a statistically significant number of times to determine whether a gun or bear spray is a better guarantor of human safety during a bear encounter?

Most of the experts' advice is really biased, wishful thinking.

Let's see... | 6:00 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

When attacked by a 1,000 lb bear and he is charging at 30+ mph from 100 yards or less I have to spray him first and if that doesn't work I let him have me for lunch. Where are the PETA people to feed the bears when you need them?

Any common sense unarmed hiker should know the territory and avoid it if bears are imminent. I wouldn't recommend jogging in bear and mountain lion territory either, that's their signal to attack. Most camping and recreational sites in Utah now have gate guards collecting money, they should also warn people of predatory wildlife in the area.

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