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Old 05-02-2018, 01:19 PM
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Default Marine flares for bear deterrent?

Recently I was listening to a podcast (highlander?) And they mentioned using a marine flare for bear deterrent.

Google doesn't turn up much for use on bears but after watching a few videos they look great for close quarters defence. It would sure scare the heck out of me if someone waived that in my face!

Does anyone have experience with these or used them for bears? I'm thinking of adding one to my backpacking kit this fall
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Old 05-02-2018, 03:23 PM
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Best defense you can get for a bears...

https://tinyurl.com/y7njenzr
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Old 05-02-2018, 03:25 PM
35 whelen 35 whelen is offline
 
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I would use bear spray but you can buy bear flares and poppers and crackers at nwt safety in Nisku

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Old 05-02-2018, 03:38 PM
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Marine flares, such as signal flares that you shoot in the sky?
Cat
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Old 05-02-2018, 03:41 PM
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Ive carried bear spray for years and have done lots or research on it. The thing that has me interested in flares is that you don't need to worry about wind direction, it stays lit for a full minute, and I've heard that bears that have been sprayed before are deterred less by spray the second time around.
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Old 05-02-2018, 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by catnthehat View Post
Marine flares, such as signal flares that you shoot in the sky?
Cat

They're not the ones you shoot in the sky, they are on a wand. You basically pull the end, which lights it and it shoots about 2 feet of extremery bright flames out the end. Designed for people on a boat to wave for rescue. They burn very loud, similar to a cutting torch.
I'd post a picture on herequest but it's painful to do on this forum

Here's a link to you tube to check out
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=znmb_0sFTFI
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Old 05-02-2018, 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by fast_pass88 View Post
They're not the ones you shoot in the sky, they are on a wand. You basically pull the end, which lights it and it shoots about 2 feet of extremery bright flames out the end. Designed for people on a boat to wave for rescue. They burn very loud, similar to a cutting torch.
I'd post a picture on herequest but it's painful to do on this forum

Here's a link to you tube to check out
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=znmb_0sFTFI
My biggest concern is the fire hazard.
I use spray and 12 bore SxS's for bear protection .
Cat
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Old 05-02-2018, 03:54 PM
4pointswest 4pointswest is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fast_pass88 View Post
Recently I was listening to a podcast (highlander?) And they mentioned using a marine flare for bear deterrent.

Google doesn't turn up much for use on bears but after watching a few videos they look great for close quarters defence. It would sure scare the heck out of me if someone waived that in my face!

Does anyone have experience with these or used them for bears? I'm thinking of adding one to my backpacking kit this fall
better include a fire extinguisher in your kit as well....
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Old 05-02-2018, 08:12 PM
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better include a fire extinguisher in your kit as well....
That is what I was thinking. You start a forest fire and the bear is going to be the last of your worries.
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Old 05-02-2018, 08:33 PM
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You may want to read the Forest and Praire Protection Act and also have some good insurance coverage as you may have one rather large bill to pay.

Cat has the right idea. Bear spray and the 12 bore.
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Old 05-02-2018, 09:23 PM
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Default Bear Repellent

12 gauge, 3" magnum slugs. Best deterrent.
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Old 05-02-2018, 09:46 PM
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I think the fire issue goes without saying. It would only be useful in wet or late season conditions.
My fault that I should have added a bit more context. This would be used for sheep hunting so packing a 12 gauge isn't really an option, unless you'll carry it for me

Lots of instances Ive read about mention that the spray or gun wasn't effective, do to wind, acessability to a the gun, etc. My gun is kept strapped to my pack, if I was to run into a grizz in tight quarters all I would have is spray.
I think it was last year that a guy got pretty hurt west of sundre hunting alone. From what I heard he was out of reach of his gun, not sure about spray. Needless to say in a circumstance like that, with a bear chewing on you, a flare would be easy to start and effective. Obvious downsides are possible burns to yourself and starting a fire.
Initially I was wondering if anyone else has heard of using them, doesn't sound like it.

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Old 05-03-2018, 09:08 AM
Big Grey Wolf Big Grey Wolf is offline
 
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Default bear defense

357 Magnum with heavy loads strapped to your hip, very handy bear defense.
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Old 05-03-2018, 09:17 AM
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I recommend not using flares or bear bangers, my fear is that a bad shot may results in the projectile making noise behind the bear (over shooting) thus pushing him my way. I feel comfortable with bear spray as I have practiced with it in the past as well as am usually practicing taking it off my belt when hiking/fishing.

My thought is that whatever bear deterrent you use, practice is a must. Find some expired bear sprays (I have also used "blanks" at training courses) and go out and practice "shooting"! If you are a bear banger or nothing kind of guy, make sure you practice. If you be rebellious and carry a sidearm, practice quick shooting situations with all your hunting gear on.

If you are not hunting and are worried about noise, grab an air horn!
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Old 05-03-2018, 03:42 PM
HIGHLANDER HUNTING HIGHLANDER HUNTING is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fast_pass88 View Post
Recently I was listening to a podcast (highlander?) And they mentioned using a marine flare for bear deterrent.

Google doesn't turn up much for use on bears but after watching a few videos they look great for close quarters defence. It would sure scare the heck out of me if someone waived that in my face!

Does anyone have experience with these or used them for bears? I'm thinking of adding one to my backpacking kit this fall
Wasn't our podcast.
I think it was Hunt Backcountry.
I listened to that one too. Don't think I'd be using marine flares here in Ab. Seems like a major fire hazard to me. Sounded like the guy who gave that advise got the idea from guides in Alaska. Must be much wetter up there.

Randy Newberg interviewed Todd Orr recently. He's the Montanan who had that viral video after his grizz attack from 2016. That was very interesting. He had some good advice on how to react and how little time you have to react.

This year I'm wearing my spray right on my bino harness. Will be trying it tomorrow to see how it works out. That way I can deploy it without removing it from the holster.

Cheers.
highlanderhunting.com
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Old 05-03-2018, 04:45 PM
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if a flare is in your pack and you get surprised by a bear charging you no way will you have enough time to dig it it and get it lit. Bear spray in a quick release holder on your belt is better in my opinion
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Old 05-03-2018, 05:49 PM
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Marine flares, such as signal flares that you shoot in the sky?
Cat
Yup, light the whole bloody place on fire....jeepers.
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Old 05-03-2018, 09:39 PM
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Steve Rinellas Meat Eater Podcast has an amazing episode called "the meat tree"about a bear attack they had on afoganak island. Everyone was prepared, bear spray, pistols and what can happen in that few seconds of letting your guard down. A sobering story that made me up my bear protection game, from having bear spray to having instantly accessable bear spray.
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Old 05-03-2018, 10:42 PM
Tactical Lever Tactical Lever is offline
 
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Wasn't our podcast.
I think it was Hunt Backcountry.
I listened to that one too. Don't think I'd be using marine flares here in Ab. Seems like a major fire hazard to me. Sounded like the guy who gave that advise got the idea from guides in Alaska. Must be much wetter up there.

Randy Newberg interviewed Todd Orr recently. He's the Montanan who had that viral video after his grizz attack from 2016. That was very interesting. He had some good advice on how to react and how little time you have to react.

This year I'm wearing my spray right on my bino harness. Will be trying it tomorrow to see how it works out. That way I can deploy it without removing it from the holster.

Cheers.
highlanderhunting.com
It's dry out right now, and anyplace can be dry, almost. I went out with the kid, 2 days after a clearing that we trudged through was full of a good 1/2' of snow and slush, and the snow was gone.

Stopped at a spot where there was a little deadfall surrounded by snow yet to make a little fire and roast a couple smokies. I didn't use any fire starter, just a little grass and leaves, and just broke some twigs by hand, no shaving kindling. I lit a little grass to start it, and it took off! The surrounding area was dry also, and I had to use some snow to contain it.

Kind of a long way of saying that I was surprised (but ready) at how dry it was. If I just sprayed some sparks with no plan to contain it, it could have turned into a pretty good grass fire really quick.
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Old 05-03-2018, 11:00 PM
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Yup, light the whole bloody place on fire....jeepers.
Yeah no kidding eh, that was my first thought !!
Cat
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Old 05-04-2018, 07:07 AM
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Yeah no kidding eh, that was my first thought !!
Cat
Yeah got enough on our hands dealing with Mother Nature and her thunder farts which spark up the woods, add a hammerhead running through the woods firing off marine flares at shadows.....holy moly eh....stick to bells and pepper spray as you eat a granola bar while humming an ol'hyme. leave the marine flares for the water ways and emergency related issues.
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Old 05-04-2018, 11:48 AM
35 whelen 35 whelen is offline
 
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Originally Posted by Jays toyz View Post
Steve Rinellas Meat Eater Podcast has an amazing episode called "the meat tree"about a bear attack they had on afoganak island. Everyone was prepared, bear spray, pistols and what can happen in that few seconds of letting your guard down. A sobering story that made me up my bear protection game, from having bear spray to having instantly accessable bear spray.
That's the ticket instant accessibility to your bear spray elk season I carry one on my hip and a small one on my backpack strap in front

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Old 05-04-2018, 12:26 PM
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The 3 guys I hunt with the most are from Cranbrook, and call in g-bears every fall when elk hunting. They carry spray and flare pistols with bear bangers on their hips. In close quarters, (ie a bear is on top of you), I think that a chunk of burning sulphur under the hide would be a great deterrent.

The only person I have personally talked to about a gbear attack said he spotted the bear at about 60 yards and the bear was on him before he could get his rifle off his shoulder, jack in a cartridge, and aim. That story makes me a believer in spray and weapons that can be fired with one hand.

Remember it's a flare, not a flame thrower. It would be pretty easy to stomp out the flames around the flare before they got out of control. If the bear chewing on you is preventing you from putting out the fire, you have bigger problems.
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Old 05-05-2018, 08:21 AM
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The 3 guys I hunt with the most are from Cranbrook, and call in g-bears every fall when elk hunting. They carry spray and flare pistols with bear bangers on their hips. In close quarters, (ie a bear is on top of you), I think that a chunk of burning sulphur under the hide would be a great deterrent.

The only person I have personally talked to about a gbear attack said he spotted the bear at about 60 yards and the bear was on him before he could get his rifle off his shoulder, jack in a cartridge, and aim. That story makes me a believer in spray and weapons that can be fired with one hand.

Remember it's a flare, not a flame thrower. It would be pretty easy to stomp out the flames around the flare before they got out of control. If the bear chewing on you is preventing you from putting out the fire, you have bigger problems.
You pop off a flare at a bear to have it leave in an area dryer than a pop corn fart you are asking to spark the whole dam place up potentially real quick, use the proper tools for the job.
If you need a reminder of how bad things can get when dealing with fire play back YouTube videos of say Fort Mac fires etc....why risk or chance it.
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Old 05-05-2018, 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by 35 whelen View Post
I would use bear spray but you can buy bear flares and poppers and crackers at nwt safety in Nisku

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Just dint aim behind the bear.
Make sure the bear in infront of the banger/cracker or flare.
Rob
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Old 05-05-2018, 09:58 AM
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Just dint aim behind the bear.
Make sure the bear in infront of the banger/cracker or flare.
Rob
Yup we were canoeing the bowron chain of lakes and we pulled up to an area, black bear came down to the canoes which were on shore, buddy gets out a bear banger, launches it over the bear and the bear bolts right on past him/us...after the fact we laughed.
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Old 05-05-2018, 09:21 PM
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Yup, light the whole bloody place on fire....jeepers.
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Old 05-05-2018, 11:34 PM
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You pop off a flare at a bear to have it leave in an area dryer than a pop corn fart you are asking to spark the whole dam place up potentially real quick, use the proper tools for the job.
If you need a reminder of how bad things can get when dealing with fire play back YouTube videos of say Fort Mac fires etc....why risk or chance it.
The Ft Mac fires smouldered outside of town for three days before they took off, but that's another subject.

I didn't suggest randomly shooting flares off into the bush. Given what we are currently allowed to possess while hunting, a flare gun is a good option to discourage a bear that is intent on killing you.

What are the "proper tools" you would use for making a bear leave the area?
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Old 05-06-2018, 09:10 AM
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357 Magnum with heavy loads strapped to your hip, very handy bear defense.
This post leads me to believe that you have actually used a .357 Mag in a Bear defense situation. The details would be interesting.
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Old 05-06-2018, 09:20 AM
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The Ft Mac fires smouldered outside of town for three days before they took off, but that's another subject.

I didn't suggest randomly shooting flares off into the bush. Given what we are currently allowed to possess while hunting, a flare gun is a good option to discourage a bear that is intent on killing you.

What are the "proper tools" you would use for making a bear leave the area?
Ya if it's gnarling on your leg shove it down its throat and give the ol' ear heartburn....proper tools, bear bangers, spray and my personal choice shotty, 590...if you got the chance they make a hell of a noise and if required will finish the fight...if your lucky.

That being said we only see a very small portion of the Bears in the woods.
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