Bear defense

[waywardfool]

Will I be safe on the AT if I carry this (of course, along with a SPOT, pepper spray, cell phone, and a bear bell?)

http://www.taser.com/products/Pages/...ent-taser.aspx

OK...before y'all get uptight...I'm not serious!

[chiefiepoo]

It will have to do until I bring my Phaser to market in star date year 2199.07.

[Roots]

that stuff would help but you really need to watch out for these...

[The Weasel]

Bring none of them. None are needed and most aren't useful.

TW

[leaftye]

I pack light. I only bring a light saber....and the force.

[kayak karl]

carry the bell and pepper spray. now the bear can find you and your carrying seasoning.

[waywardfool]

TW...are you saying this couldn't be useful?? Surely you jest.

For those that didn't read the link....

The Wildlife TASER electronic control device is a revolutionary new multi-shot ECD that can engage multiple targets, and deliver a calibrated Neuro Muscular Incapacitation (NMI) pulse from up to 35 feet away. The Range Adjusted Dual Laser System increases effectiveness, while providing a more humane means of animal control for wildlife. These devices have been proven effective for wildlife and are available today for wildlife managers, field biologists and zoo caretakers.

[wrongway_08]

You will be safe with out it.

really the bears don't care about any of us being there. I had to toss small rocks at one bear to get it to come to me. They realyy rather just waddle there big furry arses off the traill and away from you.

[Awol1970]

TW...are you saying this couldn't be useful?? Surely you jest.

For those that didn't read the link....

I don't care if it weighs 20 lbs... how fun would that be to shoot people with. You know, for fun and stuff.

[leaftye]

I had to toss small rocks at one bear to get it to come to me.

That's how it works with me and rattlesnakes. I'm still trying to figure out how to get them to go away from me. Maybe I should get this taser?

I don't care if it weighs 20 lbs... how fun would that be to shoot people with. You know, for fun and stuff.

Only if they're boy scouts so that they change their motto to "be better prepared".

[lori]

I wonder if you shot it in the lake, the skinny dippers would jump out?

[fredmugs]

I don't care if it weighs 20 lbs... how fun would that be to shoot people with. You know, for fun and stuff.

That was my first thought - not for the trail but for the people I encounter walking and biking in the area I live.

Several years ago we stayed in the back country of Yellowstone and I contacted some stun gun manufacturer as to whether their products would work on bison. I was told they tested it out and the bison was dazed for like 1.5 seconds and then became really pissed.

[BradMT]

On the AT I wouldn't bother with bear spray... though it might not be a bad idea as a personal defense item for crazies.

Here in MT most of my backpacking is grizzly country. Bear Spray is a must, including areas that only hold black bears... sometimes a bear spray backup isn't even a bad idea...

[leaftye]

sometimes a bear spray backup isn't even a bad idea...

It took me a while.

[BradMT]

It took me a while.

Figured someone would catch on

[waywardfool]

Like that?

I've been shooting and carrying daily for almost 30 years...that is an ND waiting to happen.

IMO.

[BradMT]

Like that?

I've been shooting and carrying daily for almost 30 years...that is an ND waiting to happen.

IMO.

ND? I don't do abbreviations.

The bear spray is on the other side of the pack unseen. Bear Spray is ALWAYS the first line of defense. The 357 is an absolute last resort...

[BJStuart]

ND? I don't do abbreviations.

ND = Negligent Discharge

[McPick]

I wonder if you shot it in the lake, the skinny dippers would jump out?

Or cook fish? Gives a whole new meaning to the Appalachian Trail's annual "fish fry"...

[BradMT]

ND = Negligent Discharge

Gotchya.

That's utterly ridiculous...