Is Bear Spray Better than a Gun? Here's What 352 Aggressive Bear Encounters Taught Us...

Adventurer and biologist Stephan Kesting looks at four studies and 352 aggressive bear encounters in Alaska to see whether bear spray or firearms was more effective at deterring aggressive black, grizzly and polar bear behaviour. The results may surprise you, but data doesn't care about your feelings!

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Introduction to bears spray vs guns
02:56 - Analysis of the first report, Bear Spray vs Bullets, Which Offers Better Protection, by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
05:43 - Analysis of second report, Bear Spray or Bullets, by Lynn Dickerson
07:29 - Analysis of third report, Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska, by Smith et al.
15:19 Analysis of fourth report, Efficacy of Firearms for Bear Deterrence
in Alaska, by Smith et al.
21:59 Summary and personal opinions

SOURCES
First study: Bear Spray vs Bullets, Which Offers Better Protection, by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, https://above.nasa.gov/safety/documen...

Second study: Bear Spray or Bullets, by Lynn Dickerson, http://www.centerforwildlifeinformati...

Third study: Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska, by Smith et al, https://bearwise.org/wp-content/uploa...

Fourth study: Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska, by Smith et al,
https://westernwildlife.org/wp-conten...

MORE OUTDOOR STUFF BY STEPHAN KESTING
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Thanks,
Stephan Kesting

P.S. If you're interested in the outdoors, please check out my book "Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic", which was a very challenging trip with LOTS of bears. More info at https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-D...