Comments on: The Only Bear Defense Still Legal in California Nat’l Parks: Horns, Bells and Harsh Language

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 14 May 2026 21:10:49 +0000

Someone is confused here. First the NPS and the USFWS are different bureaucracies with different jurisdictions. The NPS has indeed banned bear spray in CecA parks but this has to be a local decision since other parks in other places recommended the stuff. As such it could be overriden by HQ. If you are one of the lucky few to have a CA CCW you can carry a gun per the national park carry bill of a decade ago. Beware though since both CA and the NPS erects numerous fences around this right. Best to consult a CA lawyer with a firearms practice or do what I do and never set foot in the state. BTW if you are carrying bear spray in a place where it is legal in CA and use for defense against a human attacker that is illegal. You must use a smaller container for that action.

By: Mike Strowbridge

Mike Strowbridge — Thu, 14 May 2026 21:04:05 +0000

I once had a bear chase me up to my front porch and decided to start hunting bears. I bought a bow and trained, got a license, got a bear tag and went into my local mountains during bear season. I hunted Bear with my Bow locally and with a rifle when in the mountains (while I was also deer hunting). When I was getting the bow, I purchased some pepper spray and I asked the shop keep if pepper spray worked and he replied, ” I like to get on the side of the hill so I can defend myself “. I asked again and rephrased, well the pepper spray says Bear repellant so it must work right ? and he said..” I like to get on the side of the hill so I can defend myself “.

By: Tman

Tman — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:23:14 +0000

“you’ll know brown bear poop because it smells like pepper and has lots of little bells in it.”

By: Chris T in KY

Chris T in KY — Thu, 14 May 2026 19:04:39 +0000

Mr A.H. in 1930s Germany was a vegetarian and animal lover. He too also didn’t believe in lethal force against bears. Just like the white Leftists do.

By: Peter B

Peter B — Thu, 14 May 2026 15:32:35 +0000

It’s been scientifically proven that California Black Bears don’t like spicy food. They’re an important oppressed and persecuted minority whose values the Party respects. Not to mention beinn a voting bloc whose historical disenfranchisement the Party is working hard to remedy.

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 14 May 2026 15:18:56 +0000

I had a close encounter with a female black bear and her cubs above Mammoth Lakes on a well traveled trail where kids had been walking. Unfortunately for me there was nobody else in sight when she spotted me fishing from about 70 yards away as they sauntered along that trail. I remained still and continued fishing while not fishing at all, just watching the bear. She hid her cubs behind a tree and we starred at each other for many minutes. No dangerous moves just starring.
The spell was broken when two men hiked up to the lake and I called to them to come see a bear. As soon as the mom saw the others the family high tailed up the mountain behind the lake.