I’ve been wondering if maybe I should plan on taking a small sprayer of either Mace or pepper spray. I’m thinking mostly of wild/vicious dogs or bears, but there’s always the chance that I could need it for personal protection from humans, too. Thumbs up or thumbs down?
Jonna
Thumbs up. I always carry pepper spray as protection from dogs, wild or unleashed (an unleashed dog, to me, is a wild dog), and as a just-in-case re humans.
maggie
My opinion is that it is not necessary and is extra weight. I didn’t thru-hike alone, but I think I would feel the same way if I had. First, I’ve yet to meet someone who had to use it, and it is extra weight to carry. Bears ran as soon as they saw me and the few aggressive dogs backed off when I pointed a hiking pole at them. You need to wear the spray on your hip or chest for it to be useful, and I know of people who’ve had it accidentally discharge - ouch!
If it really makes you feel safer, though, go for it. Your worried relatives will probably be happier, too.
Check out this article for the pros and cons … http://www.backpacker.com/article/0,2646,1224__1_8,00.html
Jitterbug
If you are hiking alone, it’s never a bad idea to carry personal protection, such as pepper spray. I carry it, and it REALLY doesn’t add to your weight. I also had a particularly scary hitch to where I was actually glad to have it, as well. I ended up not having to use it, but just having it didn’t leave me defenseless.
bearbait
I had to use bear spray against a couple of unruly mutts once, and was glad I had it. Hiking poles may be an adequate defense against one mutt, but not two.
steve hiker
Another good suggestion I’ve heard is a small squirt bottle of ammonia. That stuff, especially pure, is STRONG and it’s said no dog will go near you again after a nose full.
steve hiker
I read in yesterday’s paper of a boy on CT that was attacked by a large bear. Pepper Spray is a good idea in my opinion. I don’t carry it, but I think it is a good idea. I had a run-in with 3 bears near Vanderventer Shelter last fall with one of them charging me 3 times. I now carry a pistol. Better safe than sorry.
weed killer
Dog owners will get very mad if you spray their dogs, in fact some of them will get downright fighting mad so you might have to use the mace pepper spray on the owner/s too. I’d use it on dogs on the trail only as an absolute last resort. Bears will generally leave you along and will generally run from you. A good sturdy hiking pole is all I believe one needs for defense from either a dog or a black bear, a good sharp whack will do the trick and send them running. Dogs generally challenge you, but seldom attack (but they have been known to), I have been challenged many times by unleashed dogs on the trail but never attacked by one. I suppose it boils down to the question of what makes you feel safe and secure. If mace/pepper spray does it, then carry it. If a pistol does it, then carry one----but make sure laws are not being violated. If you are just super scared and I’ve meet hikers like that, then maybe you shouldn’t hike at all. After all, part of the thrill of hiking is never knowing what lies down or up the trail and experiencing the unexpected. :cheers
Maintain
Thanks ZipDrive for the oh-so-helpful comment! Most parents taught their children that “if you have nothing nice to say…say nothing at all.”
It simply looks like weed killers bear encounter was a little more threatening than the ones you have had, if any. I don’t carry a gun, however, if I had bears charge me a couple of times, I may be convinved to change my mind.
Can only speculate until it happens to me…after I have cleaned my shorts!!! lol
Mark
Mark,
Weed Killer has been posting tons of bull in this forum. He has been using other peoples name and posting very negative comments. I’m tired of it. Clearly deleting his posts will not change his attitude towards the users of this forum.
So for your parents here is the translation of the previous post, “Weed Killer has no integrity. His comments are not welcome any longer.”
ZipDrive
Obviously, there are some that say carry it, and others that that advise not to carry it.
I have found that there is absolutely no clear consensious on any piece of gear. I have also discovered that everyone carries some item or two of luxury gear. So, my advise is first to ask yourself if the weight to carry pepper spray justfies the benefit in terms of safety and comfort. If it does, then start out carrying it. The bears in Georgia are notorous. Then, after a week or so of carrying it, rethink your decision. If you don’t think the weight is worth it, then either send it home or put it in a bounce box
Peaks
Can’t think of an instance in many years of hiking where this would be necessary and as with any item of “protection” or “weaponry” once you’ve got it, I think you’re looking for a time to use it. I started my hike alone, I hitched alone, life is about risk and using your head.
Bluebearee
peaks, your mention of the “luxury item” one may bring along with survival gear made me think of…survivor, the tv show. i guess there is some similarity to the AT and survivor, without the 1 million bucks or the risk of being voted off the trail. and no bug eating.
hy
Bluebearee is right on. But, then again, everyone has their own ideas on what they need and don’t need. That is, until the miles and weight start adding up. Then, people start to take a hard look at what’s in their pack and decide that the weight doesn’t justify comfort and safety it provides.
By the way, if it really was necessary, then you would probably see it on lists published in various thru-hike planning books.
Peaks
Bluebearee wrote, “life is about risk and using your head.” True, and its up to each person to decide what’s an acceptable risk and how to deal with it.
It may have to do with how familiar you are with dog behavior and reading their signals. Some people are very familiar with dogs and know how to “pacify” or evade aggressive ones. Others are not so experienced at dealing with aggressive dogs, and would rather give Bito a shot of pepper spray than get bitten. Think of it as a wack with a rolled up newspaper.
And I can see how a woman hiking alone on the trail would feel more comfortable with a can of mace/bear spray, even though she hopes she’ll never have to use it. After 1,000 miles, hey if you don’t feel you need it, chuck it.
Bite Blaze
From an OP-ED in todays NY Times about the Artcic National Wildlife Refuge. You can find the full article at the following link (free registration required):
“One of those bears, a grizzly, approached as I was preparing lunch, then lumbered away. I’m packing bear spray, a kind of Mace used to fend off grizzlies and polar bears. Walt Audi, a legendary bush pilot here, explained how to use the spray: “If a bear attacks you, just spray yourself in the face, and you won’t see it.” So it’s hard to feel that this a place where humans are in charge. And that is precisely what makes the Arctic refuge so special.”
Little Bear
What makes it so special is that oil under the ground, let’s go get it! Baby needs a new pair of shoes AND a Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with a not so miserly 345 hp Hemi V8 engine!
Might as well have fun getting to the trail.
Reeves
Although I agree with Blubearee in most ways I still think I would like to have some form of self-defense all alone in the deep woods…if for no other reason than psychological comfort. Bears freak me out. :girl
PS- Please leave ZipDrive alone. I think he’s cool.
grapejelly