# The bear spray thread **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 4, 2025, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bear-spray-thread/1019193 "2025-06-04T12:40:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 5
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bear-spray-thread/1019193/5 "2025-06-04T13:21:34Z")
You bring up some great questions! FWIW, I started a thread last year about bear spray being a superior alternative to firearms against aggressive bears. > [@Carrying firearms for defense against an aggressive bear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420): > > In this [post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/4874) over in this [thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588), @Broomstick said the following: I have guns, too, but would not use them in self-defense against a bear. The vast majority of firearms are simply not that effective against an attacking or charging bear. The way to safely take on a bear with a firearm is at a distance with a high-powered rifle. A bear attack, on the other hand, is by definition at a much closer range such that a rifle is difficult or impossible to use. And the vast majority of handguns are fa… In my case, I borrowed bear spray from the person I was visiting in Alaska to carry on my hikes. Obviously this isn’t an option if you don’t know anyone there, though. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bear-spray-thread/1019193)._