We often get asked by visitors to Alaska if they need bear spray. While we believe it’s a valuable tool, the decision to carry it ultimately comes down to your personal comfort and assessment of risk. We want to empower you to make an informed decision, so we’re happy to provide some factual information that might help.
Once you’ve had a chance to review the facts and decide that bear spray is right for you, we also offer convenient rental options. We’re here to support you in ensuring your safety during your Alaskan adventure.
Bear Facts
I want to share some fascinating information about bears in Alaska, especially since it’s a topic that often comes up when discussing the Alaskan wilderness. Alaska is truly unique as it’s one of the few places where you can potentially encounter all three species of North American bears: the black bear, brown bear, and polar bear. It’s definitely bear country, and according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, bears are prevalent throughout the state. Even within large urban areas like Anchorage and Fairbanks, there are known and measurable bear populations.
The bear population in Alaska is quite significant, remarkable in fact. The latest statistics from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game indicate a total bear population of approximately 134,000, which includes 4,000 polar bears, 30,000 brown bears, and 100,000 black bears. What’s particularly striking is that Alaska is home to about 98% of the entire United States brown bear population. Furthermore, these bears can be incredibly large. The biggest bears can weigh upwards of 1,500 pounds with a shoulder height of 5 feet while on all fours. When a large brown bear stands up, it can reach an impressive 10 feet tall!
It’s also important to remember how fast bears can be. Many people don’t realize that a bear can run at over 25 mph and sprint short distances at over 35 mph, which is much faster than a human can run. A grizzly bear, for instance, can even catch a horse under the right conditions. This incredible speed highlights why, in our opinion, having bear spray correctly holstered is so crucial. An aggressive bear can cover ground in a split second, and in an emergency situation, you wouldn’t have time to retrieve bear spray from a pack; it needs to be readily accessible.
Most importantly, bears are wild animals, and any encounter with them will most likely be in the wild, their natural habitat. This introduces a significant unknown variable: you can’t always predict how a wild animal will act or respond to a particular situation. The common saying “this is the 800-pound gorilla in the room” might be more appropriately rephrased as “this is the 1,500-pound bear in the room” when discussing these creatures. It’s vital to never underestimate or minimize the risks associated with such powerful and large wild animals.
Bear Attack Statistics
Bear attacks on humans are rare. Yes, bears are big, fast, and there are a lot of them but your chances of being attacked by a bear are statistically low. Data from the state of Alaska from 2000 to 2017 shows a total of 68 bear attacks, with 8 fatalities.
To put this into perspective, Alaska has a population of about 750,000 people and welcomes approximately 3 million visitors annually. During the same period (2000-2017), there were 467 dog bites, 1,825 bicycle accidents, and 8,283 car accidents. While any injury or fatality is tragic for all of those involved, these numbers highlight how rare bear attacks truly are in comparison to other everyday risks.
Bear Spray Effectiveness
When considering whether or not bear spray is necessary, a crucial question often arises: how effective is it? The answer might surprise some, especially coming from us, but it’s important to understand that bear spray is not 100% effective. It isn’t a magic shield that will fully protect you from every aggressive bear encounter. Instead, bear spray is a deterrent designed to significantly increase your chances of safety, though it offers no absolute guarantee.
Furthermore, its effectiveness hinges on your ability to deploy it properly and in a timely manner. Simply carrying bear spray provides no benefit if it isn’t effectively dispersed when needed. While some might wonder if it’s complicated to use, we don’t believe it is, and we offer a variety of resources to our customers on how to properly carry and utilize bear spray. We are also strong advocates for avoiding situations where bear spray might be necessary, and we’ve covered this topic in some of our other blog articles. You can refer to How to NOT use bear spray and Bear Spray Is Like a Heart Surgeon for more information on the topic.
So…Do You Need Bear Spray in Alaska?
In conclusion, while the final decision is, of course, yours, we strongly recommend that you consider carrying bear spray during your time exploring the Alaskan wilderness. Also, we think it is best that you rent bear spray instead of buying bear spray as it can be a much more convenient option for your trip.
Think of bear spray as a crucial safety measure, similar to wearing a seatbelt in a car. While it’s true that bear attacks are statistically rare, just like car accidents, having that added layer of protection can make all the difference. It’s always better to be prepared and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Our primary hope is that you’ll prioritize your safety and carry bear spray, along with knowing how to use it, especially if your adventures take you into areas where bear encounters are not just possible but probable. Even if you don’t rent bear spray from us, we urge you to carry it during your visit to Alaska. We hope we have presented enough facts here that you may consider carrying bear spray with you during your visit, it just makes sense!
Sources used for this article:
Hospitalizations and Deaths Resulting from Bear Attacks — Alaska, 2000–2017
Living With Bears, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
