Whilst in Africa, did you ever had to use pepper spray?

Levubu

Levubu

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I‘m curious to learn about your experiences regarding pepper spray. Do you carry it on you whilst in Africa? Did you ever use it? Against what animal? Cone, foam or stream? I had to use it once so far, it‘s called Sabre foam. The culprit was a young aggressive guy. With a full load covering his face he went down and stayed there for quite a while.
 
No.
Never.
None.
Neither.

Your PH will have a stopper of the more permanent kind, if needed.

If you are thinking of more "urban" threats - ask the locals if your planned nighttime walk is a good idea. Also, pepper spray and similar may be illegal to use/own/import in some countries.
 
Levubu said:
I‘m curious to learn about your experiences regarding pepper spray. Do you carry it on you whilst in Africa? Did you ever use it? Against what animal? Cone, foam or stream? I had to use it once so far, it‘s called Sabre foam. The culprit was a young aggressive guy. With a full load covering his face he went down and stayed there for quite a while.
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No I've always relied upon copper and lead sprayers.

However I attended a little talk a park ranger gave at Yellowstone about the use of bear spray.

Her two most important points were;
1. It is not OFF. Do not spray it all over your kids to keep the bears away..... Well, unless your kids are really unruly. On the second part she was mostly kidding but on the first part she was serious saying it is astounding how many parents do this!
2. Spray it on the ground in front of a charging bear. If you spray it at the bear, it will run right under it and enjoy any extra spice on it's dinner.
 
DieJager said:
This guy is definitely trolling
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Not likely. He identifies from RSA and his articulation seems to confirm English is not his first language. Most trolls seem to be from this side of the pond. I'm presuming pepper spray is legal in RSA and it is available for him.

Very dicey putting that stuff on a plane ... anywhere. I wouldn't try it.
 
Sprayed this on most everything I ate in Africa.
download.webp

Available at every Spur Restaurant I went into. ;)
 
For most of us on the forum here will have a escort with us 99% of the time that we are away from the hunting lodge so there would be no need for it.
 
Levubu said:
I‘m curious to learn about your experiences regarding pepper spray. Do you carry it on you whilst in Africa? Did you ever use it? Against what animal? Cone, foam or stream? I had to use it once so far, it‘s called Sabre foam. The culprit was a young aggressive guy. With a full load covering his face he went down and stayed there for quite a while.
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Who/what was the culprit and why did you have to use pepper spray?

Aside from a couple of discussions about bears, I can't think of anywhere in these forums where pepper spray was discussed regarding Africa. Did I miss something?

I don't think I'd try it on a wounded leopard charge.
:A Outta:
 
Levubu said:
I‘m curious to learn about your experiences regarding pepper spray. Do you carry it on you whilst in Africa? Did you ever use it? Against what animal? Cone, foam or stream? I had to use it once so far, it‘s called Sabre foam. The culprit was a young aggressive guy. With a full load covering his face he went down and stayed there for quite a while.
Click to expand...
I have used OC (pepper spray) many times, but then I worked in prisons. Quite useful, but not as powerful as the bear spray.

When my niece went off to college, I bought her a large can of bear spray to keep by her bed and a small can for her purse. If I was one of the bad guys, you'd just have to threaten me with the stuff and I'd surrender!. In grizzly country, I carry a .44 mag revolver, I still trust guns more than scofield heat units. In Africa, a .300:and .458 work even better. I never thought about car!tying OC in town and I'm not sure of the legality of it.
 
Pepper spray… that’s the stuff you put on like bug spray, right?? :A Big Hello:
 
Mekaniks said:
Pepper spray… that’s the stuff you put on like bug spray, right?? :A Big Hello:
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Yeah! I hear it will repel Grizzlies like DEET repels mosquitos. Uh, you can try it first and let me know how it works...

Might also be good as a flavoring on eggs.
 
Levubu said:
Not trolling! In SA pepper spray one can purchase at supermarkets…
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I believe you. It's a sad statement on the condition of South Africa. The first time I was there was in 1983 and I felt safe walking around in Jo'berg. By 2023 I wasn't walking anywhere within the city.
 
I am sure I would not use or carry pepper spray out in the bush anywhere in Africa. In town on 2 legged varmits, maybe. The trouble with that is the sprayee would live to testify in court against you. Unpleasant situation all around.
 
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