Terror in the Forest (For Real)

[Tommys]

When getting out there, I tend to side with protection and safety first. But folks, with any defensive or offensive device purchased, a complete understanding of how to use it is mandatory.
But what if an accident happens that puts everything at risk?
"I found the canister by feel, my fingers tracing the cold metal. Stuffing it into my pocket with a hurried push, I fumbled with the safety clip, my hands slick with nervous sweat. I had to go bad! But as my thumb found the trigger, it slipped. We will be dead by the morning."
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[ZombieCat]

“Stuffing it into my pocket with a hurried push, I fumbled with the safety clip…”
At least it was only bear spray and not a firearm! Care should be taken with any weapon, from a simple pocket knife to a hand grenade. Store the weapon in a way/place that you can confidently put your hand on it in the dark without injuring yourself or others. If you carry bear spray, for Pete’s sake, buy a decent holster, preferably one with a keeper for the safety clip. There are several hunting outfitters that sell good holsters which reduce the chance of accidentally dislodging the safety clip. This may sound preachy, but within the space of a week this summer, I picked up 2 bear spray cans dropped by other hikers on trails in Montana.

 

[CR-Venturer]

Also, don't remove the safety clip unless you actually are presented with a threat.

Kind of akin to removing the safety of a pistol when it's still in the holster - no reason to do it.

 

[Tommys]

“Stuffing it into my pocket with a hurried push, I fumbled with the safety clip…”
At least it was only bear spray and not a firearm! Care should be taken with any weapon, from a simple pocket knife to a hand grenade. Store the weapon in a way/place that you can confidently put your hand on it in the dark without injuring yourself or others. If you carry bear spray, for Pete’s sake, buy a decent holster, preferably one with a keeper for the safety clip. There are several hunting outfitters that sell good holsters which reduce the chance of accidentally dislodging the safety clip. This may sound preachy, but within the space of a week this summer, I picked up 2 bear spray cans dropped by other hikers on trails in Montana.

Good advice, thanks!

 

[rgallant]

I am sorry but was more funny than terror. All the salient points have been covered, keep the safety catch on, understand how to use the tool etc.

But more important is that you actually understand the environment and possible threats.

I am in SW British Columbia and black bears are incredibly common, Grizzlies are just common in their range. But wild bears of both types are mostly active from dawn to dusk so late night pee breaks you are unlikely to run into a bear. Urban bears or bears in area of high human activity tend to be active later, to avoid humans.

Cougars on the other hand can be active at any time which is just fun, but considering in 50 years of outdoors activity I have seen exactly two the don't worry me. Beside which a 175+ lbs of ambush predator hitting you is pretty hard to defend against. On the other hand cougar attacks are incredibly rare, averaging less than 1 a year in BC over the last 35 years with only 1 fatality.

 

[CR-Venturer]

I am sorry but was more funny than terror. All the salient points have been covered, keep the safety catch on, understand how to use the tool etc.

But more important is that you actually understand the environment and possible threats.

I am in SW British Columbia and black bears are incredibly common, Grizzlies are just common in their range. But wild bears of both types are mostly active from dawn to dusk so late night pee breaks you are unlikely to run into a bear. Urban bears or bears in area of high human activity tend to be active later, to avoid humans.

Cougars on the other hand can be active at any time which is just fun, but considering in 50 years of outdoors activity I have seen exactly two the don't worry me. Beside which a 175+ lbs of ambush predator hitting you is pretty hard to defend against. On the other hand cougar attacks are incredibly rare, averaging less than 1 a year in BC over the last 35 years with only 1 fatality.

Cougars are almost never a threat to full grown humans, because they're lazy and prefer an easy meal, but they are very dangerous to little kids and small dogs/cats, whom they see as prey. Bear that in mind in cougar country.

Having said that, in all my years of bush camping, hunting and outdoor adventure, I've never seen a cougar in the wild. I'm sure a few have probably seen me, though lol