![]() Counter Assault has a four-year lifespan, whereas the industry standard is somewhere from two to three years. Once you have invested in a spray, take care of it. We could see why Ben was able to stop the bear in its tracks. In testing the spray, we were impressed with the product’s power. Their 8.1 ounce can will send a powerful fog of pepper concoction 30 feet and allow for a 7.2 second spray, the larger one will go 32 feet and last 9.2 seconds – it’s the spray time that’s most important. It meets or exceeds bear biologists’ and wildlife specialists’ recommendations. These canisters of self-defense have a great deal of research, testing and quality control behind them, hence the expense.Īnd Schreiner said, “You need the best product you can put in your hands for protection.” He has checked out all the products available on the market and found that the most effective is a product called Counter Assault manufactured in Kalispell, Montana. All it takes is one confrontation, as witnessed by Ben Macht's story. Moose also are prone to chase humans.Īndrew Schreiner, proprietor of Grizzly Outfitters, Big Sky’s outdoor shop, relates how folks will spend a considerable sum on raingear, jackets, packs and other gear for the mountains, but will balk at the $50 price for a can of bear spray, when it’s actually one of the most important pieces of equipment they can have. And we should mention, bears aren’t the only animals to be wary of. This experience with a near mauling has made Macht a believer in carrying the spray. Mother grizzly stopped on a dime, quickly wheeled around and tore up the hill followed by her scampering cubs. When the bear was within 10 to 15 feet, he triggered the pepper spray full blast into the bear's face. By this time, Ben had his spray out and was in a position to defend himself. When the grizzly was a stride’s length away, she passed him, looped around and started back at him again. She was coming for him and moved so fast that he didn't have the time to get his bear spray ready. When he heard a grunting noise, at first he looked down at his gears to see if there was a problem with the bike and then immediately looked up and saw a grizzly sow with two cubs about 40 yards away. It was evening, and he was by himself getting ready to climb a steep grade. The Northern Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, of which the Upper Gallatin is part of, is prime habitat for grizzlies and black bear.īen Macht of Big Sky was mountain biking up Tepee Creek (now closed to bikes) on the northwestern edge of Yellowstone National Park. What the article discusses is pertinent to any wild country in the state, so we bring it back as a reminder.īe it biking, horseback riding or hiking, as more and more folks head out to enjoy the trails of the wilderness and national park lands near Big Sky, bear and human meetings are bound to increase. This piece was penned several years ago for Big Sky’s Lone Peak Lookout newspaper owing to the increase in bear and people encounters in the Madison and Gallatin ranges. Adult grizzly bear with the distictivly “dished” face and round ears (Courtesy of The Nature Conservancy of Montana)
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