Reddit mentions: The best camping bear protection products

Get a better pistol and put a good, really bright light/laser on it.

I suggest a Glock 17. Then get some rounds called "Glaser Safety Slugs". Get the silver version. These rounds are designed to penetrate enough to hurt someone pretty well, but penetration will not be super reliable enough to kill (although they certainly could still be lethal). You can always stack the loading with a few rounds of safety slugs first, then regular hollowpoints after if you feel a more powerful shot is necessary.

If you get a tactical light to put on it, that would be good. Get something blindingly bright. TLR-2HL G is a good model.

https://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-69265-Mounted-Flashlight-Lumens/dp/B00TZHISEY

My only other firearm suggestion besides that would be an HD-style high capacity 12 gauge loaded with 3"magnum birdshot. It's powerful enough to fuck someone up pretty well, but will not penetrate most apartment quality construction enough to be lethal. A Mossberg 500 would be a go-to suggestion, or you could do any of the good variety of semi-autos. Be aware that semi-autos may need the gas system adjusted to use different kinds of loads (e.g. birdshot vs. buckshot). With a pump, just make sure you pull and push the pump really good and hard to make sure you don't short-shrift the mechanism. Putting a good light/laser on a shotgun would be a good idea if you go that direction.

Any suggestion that an AR (or other rifle) fragmenting load is "safe enough to use in an apartment" is bullshit. I have done tons of research on that topic over many years. The much touted Hornady VMax will easily penetrate numerous layers of standard drywall with plenty of energy and structure left to inflict a very serious wound. Numerous videos on youtube of this.

When I lived in a dwelling where I needed to worry about overpenetration I kept a 12 gauge loaded with 3" magnum birdshot for the first 2 rounds, then 2&3/4 00 buckshot for the remainder of the tube magazine. We always keep handguns by the bedside as well, and those are loaded with standard hollowpoint ammo.

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As far as non-firearm, defensive items:

Immediately install small, cheap intrusion alarms on all doors/windows/points of entry. You can get these at practically any hardware store, and obviously online, for very little money.

Having a bulletproof barrier you can easily hide behind is a very good idea. A few layers of books will stop most rounds, even powerful rifle rounds, so if you bookcases you can keep strategically placed, that is a good idea. Keep in mind that most home intruders who have guns bring handguns, not longguns.

Another thing to consider is a tear gas canister you can toss out of a door and/or a large can of OC/bear spray to shoot down a hall if you hear an intruder in your dwelling but want to avoid a face-to-face confrontation. You can deploy either of those down a hall very easily, shut the door and put a towel along the bottom to prevent backflow. That will 99% of the time keep an intruder from going any further, due either to pain or physical incapacitation (breathing difficulty). ALWAYS sit and wait for an intruder to come to you if you have a good defensive position and nothing to lose (children in another room). Just call the cops and tell them where you are in the dwelling and tell them you will be waiting there.

https://www.amazon.com/UDAP-Super-Magnum-Spray-Ounces/dp/B001QGTZIU

Obviously keep a usable phone nearby at all times.

If you don't mind doing a little front door alteration:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D2K35FW

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018HFW6WE

Bedside holster:

https://www.crossbreedholsters.com/shop/modular-systems/bedside-backup.html

There are numerous magnetic mounts that can be put anywhere you care to put a screw in which would hold a handgun very easily.

Here are my recommendations:

• An orange traffic vest over your other clothes. Available at numerous places.
  
• Check the hunting clothes at a sporting goods store around you (even some Walmarts carry some stuff). Hunters are required to wear a certain amount of orange when hunting so it is easily available in a number of different styles, colors and sizes. Some will be camouflaged (with orange) but much of it will just be normal material.
  
• I also wear one of those multi-use face masks in bright orange on my head when I run. It can be rolled into many shapes and is open on both sides and I know many different places sell them. I bought mine here (SA Fishing) which had been spamming my ads every where but I got like 5 of them for like $15. They have tons of colors and options and have fleece versions as well. Mine helps to keep a bit of sweat off my head but mostly its reflective and I don't care if I look weird. I originally bought to use when fishing or kayaking but I use the orange one running way more often than any others.
  
• You can get a bear bell. It is an auditory alert meant for scaring off bears before they see you, but may be helpful in this situation as well. They are cheaper else where but here is an example on Amazon. Any bell might work well. Basically be loud when you run in areas you are concerned about. Your safety is more important than the hunters' desire for quiet (and I have no qualms about hunting).
  
• Definitely loose the gray and teal. Grab an athletic hoodie, fleece or running jacket in a bright color. I have bought some Russell Athletic hoodies in bright colors at Walmart near me. Most running / athletic stores will have reflective stuff but a lot of may be meant for on the road and not quite bright enough but I have found some things over the years that work. At New Balance stores, Under Armor stores and Nike stores.

I like to sit around camp for a while before dark just to listen to and identify whatever is making sounds.

Having a nice flashlight or headlamp helps when you can't help but try to see what's making sounds in the dark. /r/flashlight can help you find a good one...but I'll say that Zebralight is a great place to start looking.

Then you can (grudgingly) accept that whatever is making the sounds isn't going to hurt you, and ignore them by putting in earbuds and taking some melatonin to help fall asleep.

Or you can go completely bonkers and use sentry tripwires and a portable electric fence. I mean these do work, but you shouldn't have to go to this extreme just for camping in Florida.

Don't carry bear spray specifically but I do carry OC spray (essentially the same stuff but for people, AKA less strength).

I use Sabre Red for work. Their bear spray line is 2% major capsaicinoids (what makes it hot) while the stuff I carry is 1.33%. Don't get drawn into the claims of scoville units as a rating of how effective it will be.

I've been sprayed with stuff that was less than 1% (somewhere around .75% if I recall) and it felt like my face was melting for a good long while so I could only imagine what 2% feels like.

https://www.amazon.com/Frontiersman-Bear-Spray-Hip-Holster/dp/B002E6VAHK?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

Also comes with a holster for your belt but with your hip belt for your pack it might not be feasible to carry it there. You could probably find a way to rig it to a shoulder strap on your pack fairly easily though.

Also, most bear sprays are a "fogger" type spray. They will shoot with a good bit of force to propel it some distance but after that initial burst out of the canister be ready for it to get blown around by wind quite easily, and if the wind is blowing towards you, you could be in for some pain.

I carry Frontiersman because it's got a good 30' throw and I really like the holster.

I carry it on my belt on my right (dominant) hand side with the safety tab still in place. The lining of the holster is smooth and doesn't bind up the can.

I can draw the can free with one finger while I'm pulling the safety tab back with my thumb and then spray it in one fairly smooth motion.

I talked to a wild life officer in NC about this a few months back. He actually said that in most cases hikers/campers are better off with the large "Bear Sized" pepper sprays. The reason is, most people when in an "attack" situation cannot get off well placed shots on an attacking animal ( And that in the last 2 years, he has had ~5 reports of people shooting at bears in 'self defense' and none of those people have actually hit the bears). Where the spray can "Blanket" the area. He also said that people are more likely to use the spray as a deterrent before even getting into an attack situation. Which also helps keep the animals scared of humans.

Example: http://www.amazon.com/Frontiersman-Bear-Attack-Deterrent-Holster/dp/B002E6VAHK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331572871&sr=8-1

He did however say that most officers carry 45 and that 10mm is gaining popularity for capacity reasons. The reason being that they are both devastating rounds at close range, which is where most likely you'll end up needing it. He also noted that they are not just for protecting against animals, but also against people which is why there isn't much .357.

That was the other interesting thing. He stated that many hikers/campers tend to carry CRAZY firepower. .44mag, .357, etc. Thinking that they need "Grizzly Bear Stopping" type rounds. He joked and said that they should be more scared of the people in the woods, and not the animals and a good personal defense round is what they should carry. (He noted he personally carries .45 Winchester PDX).

Personally, If I was in your shoes. I'd carry the spray, and then what ever personal defense round you feel most comfortable. The only exception to this rule may be Grizzly bears -- But IIRC That is really only an issue in like Montana.

I got one of these and have been really happy with it. Has a "silencer" that works alright but honestly the bell hasnt bothered me at all, hikers appreciate it. The problem with the loud hub alert is you have to stop pedaling, sometimes you dont want to have to do that.

https://www.amazon.com/FRONTIERSMAN-BB-01-BK-Bear-Bell-Black/dp/B00VQ8ZXRK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1500567866&sr=8-4&keywords=bear+bell

The radio is a perfect idea. Definitely get bear spray ( https://www.amazon.com/Frontiersman-Bear-Spray-Maximum-Strength/dp/B002BMOJXE/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=bear+spray&qid=1556825913&s=gateway&sr=8-3 ).
Also, a firearm isn't a bad idea, for when the bear spray runs out.

I have a can of Sabre but I've never actually had to "use" it. Some friends of mine who are hiking guides up in Alaska carry it for what thats worth.

When I backpacked across the country i carried a can with me. Very easy to obtain. Got a decent sized canister which promised a 30 foot cone. Cost $35 on Amazon.

Edit: Here it is. They started including belt clips, I guess.

That's something you need to bring. Basically a dry bag and a good length of paracord. You'll want to go at least 100 yards from where your tents are and find a good limb: bag needs to hang 10 feet plus off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk.

https://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Mountain-Ultralight-Bear-Color/dp/B001OPEZRE this is what you're looking for

Or just take bear spray and clip in an easily accessible area, more effective than a gun or a knife

https://www.amazon.com/d/Camping-Bear-Protection-Products/Frontiersman-Bear-Spray-Maximum-Strength/B002BMOJXE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1549390096&sr=8-2&keywords=bear+spray


With a gun, I hope you brought a large caliber and have practiced with it enough to hit a moving target while dealing with a massive adrenaline rush. A knife is a bit to close for comfort.

BeFree is great. Nitecore Thumb is on my wishlist. You could get a 4" phone cable, Dance pants, Toothpaste Tablets, Ursack.

I don't know of any 59" trekking poles. Maybe one of those extenders?

Okay. I've seen bells occasionally, they're definitely not common. I'm not afraid of bobcats, nor was I talking specifically about them. Bear bells are definitely a thing.

The shit in your pants from noticing said bear is your body producing wearable camouflage.

Seriously tho just buy a bear horn they work great for breaking up indoor cat fights too.

I've used this bear canister on occasion. You just leave it on the ground and the bears play football with it for a while. Ursack is another really nice bag good for hanging that packs small. The AllMitey version resists both small critters and bears. Their standard bear bag protects against bears, but not rodents.

bear sprays can be less potent indeed but same are pretty much standard pepper spray labeled as bear spear such as this one (and many others on amazon)

https://www.amazon.co.jp/モチヅキ-371487-カウンターアソールト-熊撃退スプレー-02194/dp/B001MOY6S0

I couldn't find any male to male. I think your best bet is going to by buying a couple of [these] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001J4LM6W/ref=pd_aw_fbt_468_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0GHZ0GE39AKHZ0JFSCH0) and some nylon staps to make it yourself

this should solve your problem

keep your spacing and make sure hes not able to rush you down, use adas weapons to your advantage, they are both good for keeping people away (adas sigs are also really...really good)

Nah I could see you just needing to set up like five to ten of those bear spray ones, then have those tiny little black hose ones that spray a super fine mist about to water your garden. You could then have it set to go off by a trigger, motion censor (I think this one could prove problematic for local wildlife), or maybe even have an app for it.

When I read the bit about the pepper spray rigged to the sprinklers, it really got me thinking on how you would do it effectively. Where you would position them and if you could set them off in relay.

That's why I think the multiple big can of bear spray like this or this but they only seem to have a 5 second blast. So having a bank of about 20 or 30, with 3 on each sprinkler system, meaning you can send more 5 second bursts through it.

As I'm in Australia and pepper spray and most definitely bear spray is illegal (without a licence I think) I'd have to find some of that fart spray instead. I could get some Raspeberry Pi's, servo motors and with my 3D printer could cobble something together.

Realistically if he had access to a 3D printer (even without you could managed with duct-tape), and could learn how to do some basic programming, you could knock something up in a month or two of weekends and some after work time.

EDIT: Just found this awesomely perfect for the purpose sprinkler.

And this one for those neighborhood kids who you don't like. Or this, or maybe if you have some Bronies this.

Get a Bear Bell.

Hikers are happy they can hear you approaching and move out of the way.

Wild life can hear you and run away.

https://www.amazon.com/Coghlans-Bear-Bell-Magnetic-Silencer/dp/B000J4U5AW/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1543439398&sr=1-4&keywords=bear+bell

This is easy, the answer is bear-mace. 1-day shipping from amazon. http://smile.amazon.com/SABRE-FRONTIERSMAN-Attack-Deterrent-Holster/dp/B002E6VAHK

When I play certain courses, one of these gets clipped to my bag.

Thoughts on this one? Seems similar just a better price https://www.amazon.com/Frontiersman-Spray-Holster-Access-Strength/dp/B002E6VAHK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1543592517&sr=8-4&keywords=bear+spray

you might want one of the ones with 3 times the range, like Counter Assault

https://smile.amazon.com/Frontiersman-Bear-Spray-Maximum-Strength/dp/B002BMOJXE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1522483087&sr=8-2&keywords=bear+mace

Here's a link to help him out for future content.

Some bear mace should do the trick. Sprays 30 feet and is much lighter than any useful rifle or handgun.

I have the Burn and it feels big to me, though I have not tried a bear canister in there. I also have one of these if you'd like me to try and see how it fits.

These bear bells are pretty good. Loud enough to be heard buy way less annoying than a cow bell. Also, they have a silencer but it does not always work.

https://www.amazon.com/FRONTIERSMAN-BB-01-BK-Bear-Bell-Black/dp/B00VQ8ZXRK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473194017&sr=8-1&keywords=bear+bell

I'll play. Let's assume bugging in. No wind in your house, right? You don't live within 1000' of a school, right?

Answer: Pepper spray. Or mace, or whatever, preferably this.

And now the flip side: you just sprayed a hell of a lot of a toxic substance inside your house. But you had time to put on eye, nose and mouth protection, right? And you can close yourself off from that room for hours so that the toxins can settle a bit? And then you can go clean that room without getting it in you eyes, etc.?

Huge pain in the ass, but way better than letting a home invader get the best of you.

Also, while they are rolling around on the ground, holding their face and screaming, beat the crap out of them with your baseball bat.

Use this:

http://www.amazon.com/UDAP-18CP-Super-Magnum-Spray/dp/B001QGTZIU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395261220&sr=8-1&keywords=magnum+bear+spray

It is oftentimes many times more effective than a firearm anyway, and a much lower legal threshold for self-defense use in any jurisdiction. You can probably carry it on a military base, but you will need to check the base rules.

Consider hiring a private investigator to find out who the stalker is.

Amazon only:

https://www.amazon.com/Ursack-AllMitey/dp/B06WLQP2ML

I carry bear spray, just in case. Honestly the biggest worry I have is wild animals.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002E6VAHK/

The spoon end of Titanium one can open a bear canister without breaking. That was my primary concern when I bought it (and the reason 2/3 of my plastic ones broke).

Buy Bear Spray for piece of mind. It's basically just pepper spray that you can use from 30 feet away.

Bear spray or Pepper spray. A dose of this may well have disabled the creep until the police could wrap him up and totally remove the issue, and him.

you should keep a can of this under your desk for the next assult: http://www.amazon.com/Frontiersman-Bear-Attack-Deterrent-Holster/dp/B002E6VAHK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341810206&sr=8-1&keywords=bear+mace

Go with bear spray, more range than pepper spray

Here is the mobile version of your link

Can you get Bear Spray in the UK?

Bear Spray example

9mm with 17 rounds staggered JHP/FMJ. I'd rather have it than not. I'd also choose that over nothing.

Although my main concern was mountain lions.

For bears: http://www.amazon.com/Counter-Assault-Deterrent-Holster-10-2-Ounce/dp/B001DQ76JI/

https://www.amazon.com/Guard-Alaska-Pepper-Spray-Holster/dp/B005ITXAIM

That video along with the comments here and the reviews of this:
http://www.amazon.com/Counter-Assault-Deterrent-Holster-10-2-Ounce/dp/B001DQ76JI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409322022&sr=8-1&keywords=counter+assault+bear+deterrent

I'll probably get some spray. Way cheaper then trying to buy another handgun just for hiking.

Booyah

Bears are more afraid of you. Just don't sneak up on them.
Trail hikers usually wear a bell for this reason.

bear spray
or a laser

https://www.amazon.com/Frontiersman-Spray-Holster-Access-Strength/dp/B002E6VAHK

Or you could carry something useful.

Bear sprays work from 30 feet away. If the bear was an arms length away from you, the spray wouldn't help much, would it?
http://www.amazon.com/SABRE-FRONTIERSMAN-Attack-Deterrent-Holster/dp/B002E6VAHK

You be fucking real.

Bear spray has range, but it's weaker than the stuff you can get for people. Most bear spray is around 2% OC, while the human stuff is up to 17% OC

We don't have to be as nice to people as we are to animals.

Bear mace. Can hit a target from 30 ft out and stop it from advancing. https://www.amazon.com/FRONTIERSMAN-Bear-Spray-Maximum-Strength/dp/B002BMOJXE/

I know there are dog variants of this but I can only vouch for what works on bears

Just buy some bear pepper spray and stop being such a girly man.

There is something called a magnetic bear bell which warns bears of your presence. I am not sure how effective it is though. Mace is the way to go.

https://www.amazon.com/FRONTIERSMAN-BB-01-BK-Bear-Bell-Black/dp/B00VQ8ZXRK

Bear spray usually has a lower OC content than allowed in regular pepper spray - 1-2% for bear spray vs. 10% for humans.

Human Spray - 10% OC http://smile.amazon.com/SABRE-RED-Pepper-Gel-Professional/dp/B004NKSPR8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1425328962&sr=8-2&keywords=pepper+spray+OC

Bear Spray - 2% OC http://smile.amazon.com/Counter-Assault-Deterrent-Holster-10-2-Ounce/dp/B001DQ76JI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1425329101&sr=8-5&keywords=Bear+Spray

The only advantage of bear spray is that is is designed to shoot farther. If you want to use pepper spray get some designed for humans.

I dunno man. They could have had a gun or something. He didn't have to fight. I would have pulled a pussy. I carry [bear mace] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002BMOJXE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485210145&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=bear+mace&dpPl=1&dpID=41btjoyt41L&ref=plSrch) on me for this reason. I don't box. And I avoid fights.

https://www.amazon.com/Frontiersman-Spray-Holster-Access-Strength/dp/B002E6VAHK

this shit does the trick too

picturing scenario of ordering this off amazon, and having it stolen off porch

Fuck, get this! This shit stops BEARS!

Good alternative (*might be illegal in some states): Pepper spray can blow back to cause problems; this is the best alternative (except for the one below). The disadvantage is that is has only two shots. I knew a guy whose 10 year old got hold of it from his hiking backpack and accidentally shot it against the wall. the whole family had to get out, fast.

https://www.amazon.com/kimber-PepperBlaster-II-Gray/dp/B004MG63X6/ref=sr_1_4?crid=17UTPPY8Y257D&keywords=kimber+pepper+blaster&qid=1556830319&s=gateway&sprefix=kimber%2Caps%2C-1&sr=8-4

• A superior ingredient formulation combines a powerful solution of 10% OC (2.4% capsaicinoid content) with benzyl alcohol for viscosity
  
• Delivery speed of 112 MPH keeps blasts on target, reducing the risk of blowback or drift
  
• At just 4.2 ounces, pepperblaster II is state-of-the-art protection
  
  ​
  
  Best alternative (probably illegal (for carry) in most states unless you are hiking. This stuff will stop a bear - really! I decided to test mine with a fraction-of-a-second shot into a (clean) empty toilet bowl. On firing it *completely* displaced all the water in the bowl which dissipated throughout the bathroom, including onto "moi". Within 2 seconds I was gasping for air (even though the stuff has been highly diluted with clean toilet bowl water). I had to run for an open window or I would have collapsed. Had to leave my place for 5 hours, and then come back and clean up the bathroom with rubber gloves. I had really uncomfortable burns on my hands and face for the next 10 hours from the initial hit of diluted spray. Makes a great bedside weapon if you are shy about owning a gun. Also, a handly concealed alternative if you are walking through a dangerous neighborhood at night. We're talking a 30 foot jet of pure heat that will deter a bear.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Frontiersman-Spray-Holster-Access-Strength/dp/B002E6VAHK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3TQIN7XEN36Y&keywords=bear+spray+for+hiking&qid=1556830493&s=gateway&sprefix=bear+spray%2Caps%2C258&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

Go for the stuff marketed as "bear spray"; the thirty-foot range puts you a little further from the attacker, and you don't need more than the 7-8 ounce size which fits conveniently in a jersey pocket. Most sprays only have a ten-foot range.

A rape siren is usually better at dissuading wildlife than the pepper spray; the sound drives them just as nuts as it drives you.

Take your own bear spray and fucking spray them back you fucking pussies. Here, you can buy it on Amazon.

Jesus Christ ... how many times do you stupid fuckers have to get your necks stomped before you start stomping back?

Why the fuck is Linda Katehi still walking around the UC campus not in fear of being bear sprayed by you guys?

Bill Ayers bombed shit. That's how he got his power. Used it to install a President.

If they don't fear you, you're nothing.