- Living With the Wild
How a Potent Pepper Spray Became the Best Bear Repellent
Two decades ago, many thought a simple can of chemicals could never thwart a charging grizzly. Here's why they were wrong.
Across the northern Rocky Mountains, western Canada, and Alaska, big game hunting season has begun. From now until the end of autumn, no other season is more hazardous for people and grizzly bears to be in the woods together.
Thousands of sportsmen and sportswomen are moving quietly and stealthily through the thickets of the backcountry; meanwhile, grizzlies are preparing to hibernate by gorging themselves on food.
In past decades, many people traveling in bear country during this time of year have shot bears, claiming self-defense. This was not only dangerous for people, it represented a major obstacle in restoring populations of the rare predator to the Lower 48. (Related: "How to Not Get Attacked by a Bear.")
Then, in the late
