Polar Bear Awareness and Active Deterrence Specialist

[Mekaniks]

I had to update my Polar Bear Awareness & Deterrence training for work last week. I was only about 10 years over due ....

Here is the link to USFWS page-

Polar Bear Active Deterrence Authorization and Training | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

www.fws.gov

When I originally took the training many years ago it was a classroom style with an instructor with videos and handouts. The instructor had to fly out to our worksite to conduct the training. I think there was 6 of us in the class.

Now, the new training ( about 4 hrs) was given by a USFWS trainer via Teams video meeting and with about 50 people from all over the country in various industries.

Much of the training was basic level "awareness" common sense stuff. But they have added lots of updated material (from what I remember) to the "active deterrence" portion of the class. Especially covering the types of firearms and the use of active hazing methods (deterrence projectiles) for Bear Guards. There was some good discussion around rifled barrels shotgun barrels vs smooth bore barrels depending on the types of projectiles ect. They also touched on the potential disposal of outdated deterrents (yup, I know how to dispose of them ) that was not covered in the classes years ago.

Anyone else from AH take the same training last week?

 

[David AK 53]

What did they say about disposing old bear spray? I am accumulating a fair quantity. Not that I would advocate bear spray against a polar bear!

 

[Mekaniks]

What did they say about disposing old bear spray? I am accumulating a fair quantity. Not that I would advocate bear spray against a polar bear!

For personal use I simply discharge the container (outside downwind) and dispose of it in the trash.

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/species/livingwithwildlife/bears/pdfs/bear_spray_what_you_should_know.pdf

If you work for a company that has disposal restrictions (like mine does) you need to follow their disposal plan...

Disposing of it is actually easier than shipping the new containers.
Airplanes want nothing to do with the stuff, and ground shipping want it sent shipped as hazardous material.

They have been having good results with the use of bear spray with polar bears in the last few years. Especially as a long term deterrent. Meaning that a bear that gets sprayed, not only leaves, but also does not return.
That said, I also personally believe that the window for the successful bear spray use is much narrower with a polar bear than other bears.
But, it can also be a good option for some situations, such as around buildings with people and explosive equipment (oil & gas) where things don't react well to bullets....

 

[Sideshow]

Interesting reading.
When you say window for spraying them could you give a bit more info on that?
Im guessing early is better than latter. ie a bear that has been coming around for a far while will carry on coming around as he’s been used to getting a feed=big window

 

[Mekaniks]

Interesting reading.
When you say window for spraying them could you give a bit more info on that?
Im guessing early is better than latter. ie a bear that has been coming around for a far while will carry on coming around as he’s been used to getting a feed=big window

Bear spray is best used at close range (30 ft ish) and has distance limitations especially in high winds. Polar Bears are fast and go from 0 - 100 in a heart beat. IMO being close enough to a polar bear to hit him effectively with bear spray on the open tundra is WAY to close.

 

[BRICKBURN]

........... IMO being close enough to a polar bear to hit him effectively with bear spray on the open tundra is WAY to close.

I'm with you.

 

[R.M.C.]

Sounds a lot cooler than my training lol thanks for sharing!!

 

[Sideshow]

Yes to close. But you did state that they were having good results. Just wanted to know why.

 

[Mekaniks]

Yes to close. But you did state that they were having good results. Just wanted to know why.

Yes USFWS has been trying to track the use of spray on Polar Bears over the last several years. The results that they are getting have been positive.
In my opnion bear spray is a good tool. But, like any tool it needs to be used within its design limitations, for the purpose it is intended....
Bear spray is not a "do all" "one and done" bear protectant. But it does have its place, and is showing good results if used within its parameters.

 

[Sideshow]

Finally a use for that selfie stick

 

[Mekaniks]

I was asked a few questions via PM, so I thought I would share my personal bear (not just polar) deterrent and protection. NOT for bear hunting.....

Remington 870 with 18.5" cylinder (no choke) Magpul barrel, Magpul stocks, magazine extension and shell holder on the receiver.
I use it as a deterrent tool as well as immediate personal protection.
With the magazine extension and the shell holder on the receiver, I can carry extra ammo in my dufflei without the need to carry extra ammo in my pockets or a hard to get to pouch.
I usually load it with slugs or 00 buck and put the deferent rounds in the shell holder, or vice versa, depending on the situation. I never mix deadly rounds with deterrent rounds in the same magazine.
I carry it in front using the single sling mount behind the receiver.
The 12 ga is probably the most widely used firearm for animal deterrent / hazing and has the most selection of deterrent shells available. I will post a link below....

Shop - Margo Supplies LLC.

We provide the best and most effective wildlife solutions as well as the knowledge to support you install and maintain them.

margosupplies.com

The S&W 500 w/ 4" barrel.
I load with either 350 gr XTP Hornady or 440gr HSM Ammo.
I carry it in either a chest holster or hip holster depending on my activity that day. I use this exclusively for personal defense and not for a deterrent or hazing. I do not carry deterrent rounds for it and I am not even sure if they are manufacturing 500 deterrent rounds.
If I use it, it's because the bear is an immediate threat to personal safety.

Bear Spray. I almost always carry bear spray when I can. I carry it somewhere that it is easily accessible and usually that is on my belt.
We talked about bear spray use and its limitations already.

I never carry all three at the same time. I usually carry the 870 and spray, the 500 and spray, the 500 by itself, or spray by itself. I have been in a couple situations where I carried the 870 and 500 at the same time but both of those were looking for wounded bears....

These are simply my tools for most of my personal situations, currently. Others may have have different situations and experiences. At the end of the day it's all about what works, safely.

I took this pic a couple years ago before I cut the foam out of the case. The bear spray does not go in the case if it's going on an airplane.