JACKSON, Wyo. — Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) and Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) biologists gave community members the opportunity to practice bear spray deployment during Elk Fest on Saturday, May 17.
During the event, National Park Service (NPS) Wildlife Ranger Joe Lieb and WGFD staff teamed up at the BearWise Jackson Hole table on Town Square to teach “when, why and how to use bear spray the right way.” Lieb told Buckrail that the bear spray demonstration was well-received by the public.
“About 100 people practiced using cans of inert bear spray on a charging bear simulator,” Lieb said. “Bear spray is an effective tool for deterring bears that are running towards you at close range, but it’s only useful if you know how to use it properly.”
According to GTNP, the bear simulator is basically a “bear crash test dummy that runs on a track.”
“Practice makes perfect and hopefully less panic,” GTNP wrote on Facebook. “How quickly do you think you could access, aim and deploy bear spray if you needed to?”
GTNP reminded people via Facebook that bear spray is for charging or attacking bears only, and not for curious bears, bears minding their own business or bears using the same trail.
“We’ve already had a few unnecessary sprays around Jenny Lake this year and that’s not good for anyone, especially the bears,” GTNP wrote. “Give wildlife space. If they are just casually walking in your direction, move out of their way. Know how to use your bear spray … but only pull the trigger if it’s really needed.”
