MovieChat Forums > Backcountry (2015) Discussion > Bear spray

Bear spray

posted 8 years ago by scorp123-1
2 replies | jump to latest

Ok, as I'm sure most people were saying during the bear attack scene... "GRAB THE SPRAY!!!!", it's easy to completely panic during a bear attack and forget to use the spray. However, as we see in the movie, the spray only deters the bear for a little while before coming back.

So, for anyone who knows, is that really all bear spray can do? Keep the bear distracted for a little while and hope you can get away, but no real guarantee? Watching the movie, I am pretty sure I'm NEVER going camping in the deep woods, but I *have* gone hiking in fairly busy national parks and we did have bear spray with us. So how useful is bear spray anyway?

Oh, and as they began their trip, the boyfriend was happy to hear there wouldn't be that many people on the trails given the time of year. I've heard that before where outdoor enthusiasts love to go and never encounter anyone. I can never get into that mind set. Going in the woods for a long time, never seeing a soul terrifies me. But some people live for that.

~I would agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong~

[–] jquick99 8 years ago

When hiking in Canada, we always have bear spray and also a cow bell on a string, tied to a belt loop. A bear attack is rare, and usually would be stopped with spray. I'd say on the crazy occasion it is stalking/predatory and simply won't stop tracking you (unsure how often this would happen in real life), the spray would just slow it down temporarily and you need to seriously get away or get objects to defend yourself/kill it.

[–] scorp123-1 8 years ago

Thanks... that actually makes sense. I read the true story that this movie is based on (though the only similarities are that a couple goes into the woods, and only one made it out), and the authorities believed that particular bear was predatory, and was intent on killing/eating them. I'd imagine most bears want nothing to do with you unless you startle them or they think you're a danger to their cubs.

So, for non-predatory bears they'd just move on after being sprayed. Predatory bears, you better have a huge gun and be able to pull the trigger at least a couple of times before the bear can get to you.

~I would agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong~