As hiking, camping and road trip season sends more people into bear country, wildlife experts say bear spray should be treated as essential safety gear, not something buried in a backpack.

The National Park Service calls bear spray “the recommended tool for self-defense against a bear” and says it is highly effective when used properly. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee also urges people in bear habitat to carry bear spray where it can be reached quickly and to learn how to use it before heading outdoors
Do carry bear spray where it can be reached fast
Bear spray is only useful if it can be grabbed within seconds. Experts recommend keeping it in a holster on a belt, chest strap or pack strap, not inside a zipped compartment.
Hikers should know how to remove the safety clip before a trip and should practice the motion with an inert training canister when possible. Bear spray is designed to create a cloud between a person and an approaching bear, giving the animal a chance to turn away.
Bear spray is equally effective on grizzlies and black bears.
Do consider renting bear spray for your trip
A bear spray rental station in Yellowstone National Park. (Image credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank)
Some National Park locations, including Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Jackson Hole, have bear spray rental locations through Bear Aware. This option is a good alternative for those who don’t visit bear country often. Cans are $28 for five days if unused and prevents bear spray from ending up in the landfill.
Don’t treat bear spray as a substitute for bear awareness

Bear spray is a last line of defense, not permission to take risks. The NPS says firearms and bear spray are not replacements for basic bear-avoidance practices, including staying alert, making noise, hiking in groups when possible and giving bears plenty of space.

In bear country, hikers should avoid surprising animals, especially near dense vegetation, loud streams, berry patches, animal carcasses or blind turns on trails. Food, trash and scented items should always be secured according to local rules.