Bear Spray “versus” firearm is the question we are going to tackle on today’s Thrive Vodcast.

It’s a question of survival. If you spend time in grizzly country, you might only get one chance to get it right.

We’re not talking barstool debates or Instagram flexing. We’re talking about what works when the chips are down and a grizzly bear is closing the gap at 30 miles an hour.

When it comes to stopping a charging grizzly! Very few folks have done it, but plenty think they can and that they understand how extreme the situation will be! From what I have seen, the truth is that almost none actually do!

In this episode, we’re unpacking and evaluating it all—real-world experience, real stats, real solutions.

I’ve reached out to some experts for input, and this show might generate a few wake-up calls for backcountry hunters who might think they’re ready when the nightmare comes calling.

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Additional Thrive Resources

⁠⁠Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses
(Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)⁠⁠

⁠⁠Treeline Podcast Archive⁠⁠

⁠⁠Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive⁠

Essential Wilderness – Is Bear Spray Better Than Gun

Bear Spray vs Bullets: Which Offers Better Protection? by the US Fish and Wildlife Service

Bear Spray or Bullets, by Lynn Dickerson
Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska, by Smith et al.

BioOne Digital Library - Grizzly bear and American black bear interactions with people in Yellowstone National Park

Montana Grizzly Bear Mortalities Report

Razco Holsters – Bozeman, Montana

Episode 514 – The Rich Outdoors Podcast - Hunting in Bear Country