Featured activities

Bear spray stopped charging sow, hiker says

Couple walking on Peters Creek Trail in state park used Counter Assault

Bear attacks happen so fast that to be effective one's shooting must be instinctive. There is no time to take careful aim.

"It takes a lot of practice," Ramm said.

"I have a significant amount of experience with firearms, both during my time in the infantry and out. There is no way that with a heavy pack in thick brush (with) a bear coming in fast from my side (I could have) done anything other than wound that bear -- if I had even gotten a round off, which I doubt.''

He could, however, fire off a burst from a can of the pepper spray called Counter Assault, which he ripped from a holster at his hip, because no aiming was required.

Like most other red-pepper-based bear repellents, Counter Assault fans out from the nozzle of a spray can in an ever-widening arc.

One need only point the can in the general direction of the bear and squeeze the trigger.

"We've been carrying it for about two years now," Ramm said. "I did some research. We were both reasonably confident of bear spray."

Now, he said, they are "evangelical true believers."

He confesses to being astounded at how the spray instantaneously stopped the bear and turned her away.

"I don't think this was a bluff charge," he added, "because we were between her and her cub.

"The spray hit, and she turned and was gone. That's what amazed me."