Not sure how to use bear spray? We have a great video on our website about "How to Properly Use Bear Spray" made in partnership with Alberta Parks. The video is available with subtitles in 10 languages! To watch click here or on the image below and then scroll down to the video. The links to the subtitled versions are below the video (as shown in this image below).

Reminder: Bear spray should be carried year-round and it still works in freezing cold temperatures and in windy conditions!

Now that you know how to properly use bear spray, this article examines factors influencing bear spray performance.

In a 2020 publication in the Journal of Wildlife Management, scientists examined the effects of temperature, wind, canister age, and repeated use on bear spray performance. The main takeaway is that bear spray is an important and effective deterrence tool in all areas where bears occur, even if it is windy or cold.

Specifically, they tested bear spray in temperatures ranging from -23C to +25 C. In all cases they achieved a spray distance of four meters or more. Even when used in the highest winds, coming directly towards the nozzle, the spray still reached 2 meters (the average distance of spray deployment in real incidents). When looking at repeated use, or test firing of bear spray, they found that approximately 50% of canister head pressure is lost during the first 1 second of spray use or greater. Finally, when examining the effect of time, the canisters lost about 1 gram of propellant for every year of age, supporting manufacturers' 4-year expiration dates.

Based on the results of this paper, they recommend the following guidelines:

• Do not test‐fire new cans intended for use in the field

• Keep canisters warm when in the cold, tucking them inside a parka or sleeping bag

• Retire canisters of bear spray when they are expired

The full article can also be found by clicking on the button below.