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Topic ClosedTraveling in Canada

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jato View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Traveling in Canada
    Posted: 13 May 2017 at 4:30pm
Total Agreement Hi-Line.  My wife and I have been to Glacier N.P. and other areas in Montana hiking.  We always carry the "spray" with us when hiking.  I have often thought however IF a grizzly came toward us if the wind would be blowing down "correctly" or in our face, would I be able to hold the can steady, would I be able to wait to shoot until the right distance, ect.  Hopefully it won't come to that yet it is good to be prepard/ready just in case.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 May 2017 at 2:58pm
As far as Ronahue's comment about bear spray, no rebuttal from this hunter! I've lived in Montana for 40 years and very few hikers or hunters venture into grizzly country without it. I also worked for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for many years and know several bear biologists. They all recommend carrying bear spray. It has saved many people from death or injury. That said, I hope I'm never in a position to find out how well it works!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 May 2017 at 8:09am
Thanks for all of t he great information!
We are really looking forward to this trip and are starting to make our more definite plans and reservations. We have no kids and will take no guns or pets,  but we will take our bear spray. We have been carrying it for years( not the same canister! ) 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 May 2017 at 7:43am
 It's a great year to take a trip to Canada.  The Canadian National Parks are free this year.  (It's Canada's 150th Birthday).  You can order a pass online at the Parks Canada website.  

We made a trip to Victoria earlier this year without the trailer. We will be spending time in Banff and Jasper NPs  later this year with the RPod.  The exchange rate is around $1.00 US to 1.35 Cdn dollars.  Much better than 2013 when we towed the RPod to Alaska.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2017 at 5:55pm
I have used it and have been accidentally spray with it and I'm a believer.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2017 at 5:46pm
What was disturbing to me were the number of 1* reviews where the reviewers consistently complained that 1. they only got one quick squirt off before the can was dead, 2. it didn't squirt as far as promised, 3. it didn't squirt at all, 4. the can was awaked to pull out of the holster and use with one hand, and 5. it didn't really bother the bear [the reviewer claimed it contained a deer "extract."  They also note that it's a 2% capsaicin concentration.  Heck, I put more than that on my eggs in the morning.  
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2017 at 5:28pm
The bear spray shoots in a shotgun like pattern and is extremely effective. I've been out in Yellowstone every year for 25 years and I wouldn't go hiking or tracking without bear spray. Even hunters have learned in a real attack you have a better chance with bear spray than a gun. Having said that I fully expect a stearn rebuttal from hunters.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2017 at 5:22pm
Wow, it never occurred to me that someone would sell "bear spray."  

Seems to me you'd better have a very good aim to hit the bear where it will work.  I looked this stuff up on Amazon and apparently most comes in 9 oz. spray containers that inconsistently shoot at a max of 35 feet.  So, if you miss, and p!ss off the bear, you'd better have your rocket shoes on or some other reliable back up plan, because you're not going to have much of a head start on the angry bear.  

Maybe a better option, and less likely to be discovered by border and game officials, is a soaker squirt gun set up to shoot capsaicin extract.  I did find a 16 million SHU pure crystal capsaicin extract that is soluble in alcohol that you could load into the soaker squirt gun (provided you load it very, very carefully and don't put your fingers in your eyes or other delicate places afterward) that may be more effective against the bear as you have a lot more, the concentration is much higher than is permitted in the commercial sprays,  it's easier to aim, and the stream of the squirt gun exceeds 35 feet.  The principal drawback is that you better not get it on yourself as you shoot, .... only squirt down wind.  Just ask the bear to kindly move to a down wind location before you spray if the wind direction is not favorable. I've heard that Canadian bears are especially well mannered and cooperative in this regard.


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2017 at 4:27pm
Actually Leo bear pepper spray in specific sizes is ok. I have crossed many many times and showed my Counter Assault bear spray to the agents and it is approved. You are correct that personal protection size pepper sprays are prohibited. Go figure?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2017 at 4:22pm
Guns at the border are definitely a no no. Same with pepper spray and any spring loaded knives. Also anything that the customs agent interprets to be an offensive weapon.
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