I want to carry bear spray with me when I fly into the back country. Grizzly bears are expanding their range by migration, and will soon be purposefully released into new habitats... and of course, there are black bears, several very healthy populations of cougars and black bear. I've found one company, UDAP, that carries an "aerosol safety case" that is advertised for use in private, unpressurized aircraft for $26.99 + shipping. So far I've not seen any other similar canisters. Is anyone else interested in carrying bear spray (perhaps plus a large bore pistol)?

At work, we carry bear spray for our passengers in float compartments or in belly pods whenever possible. However, sometimes we end up using a 185 that doesn't have a belly pod, and in those situations we use the UDAP cases, which we have a few of for that exact situation.

I haven't used the UDAP case, so can't comment on it. I use a tightly sealing hard plastic case. It has a small vent to equalize pressure for ups and downs, but, filled with foam, it'd do a good job of containing enough of the spray.

Or, do as I did in Alaska: Duct tape the canister to a wing strut.

MTV

Do you happen to have the L-shaped steps on your 172? Slot the thumbhole of the bear spray over the horizontal portion of the step, with the canister in a forward, vertical position. Secure it with a rubber-type ski strap. Can get up to two per side this way.

Might also check out Piexon JPX pepper guns. May or may not meet your requirements, but on the plus side they deliver the same juice minus the pressurized canister.

-DP

PapernScissors wrote:I want to carry bear spray with me when I fly into the back country. Grizzly bears are expanding their range by migration, and will soon be purposefully released into new habitats... and of course, there are black bears, several very healthy populations of cougars and black bear. I've found one company, UDAP, that carries an "aerosol safety case" that is advertised for use in private, unpressurized aircraft for $26.99 + shipping. So far I've not seen any other similar canisters. Is anyone else interested in carrying bear spray (perhaps plus a large bore pistol)?

Can you provide a link for this product. I just bought some bear spray for Idaho/Montana flying this summer and spoke with another pilot friend about it and learned the dangers of transporting it. Last summer we saw a black bear about 300 feet from the Big Creek lodge. We hiked the trail up to the bathtub at 3U2 and heard later that evening that a couple of cubs were spotted on the trail a few hours after we hiked it. Mama bear was nowhere to be seen - Luckily.


Josh

This is what I am required to use to transport bear spray in my work truck. Seems like it would work in a plane just fine.

https://counterassault.com/products/koz ... ay-carrier

I’d wager one of those harbor freight knock off pelican cases would work

Personally I’d go with a firearm but that’s me

Yep, I feel better with a firearm when necessary. Nothing wrong with having bear spay as well though . I put spray in ammo box and put the box in the pod.

Strap it to the wing strut. That stuff is amazingly strong even a small discharge would make it really tough to fly.

I do not allow it in my cabin at all whether on wheels or floats.

FWIW. https://ikarossignals.com/products/hand-flare-red/ these are used by pretty much everyone on the Katmai coast for bear protection. The bears do not like the fire or smoke or sound. No aiming, no blow back, and.....you can use them to signal or make a fire. I am around brown bears every day of the summer and it is what I carry

Headoutdaplane wrote:Strap it to the wing strut. That stuff is amazingly strong even a small discharge would make it really tough to fly.

I do not allow it in my cabin at all whether on wheels or floats.

FWIW. https://ikarossignals.com/products/hand-flare-red/ these are used by pretty much everyone on the Katmai coast for bear protection. The bears do not like the fire or smoke or sound. No aiming, no blow back, and.....you can use them to signal or make a fire. I am around brown bears every day of the summer and it is what I carry

Wes only deals with competent people, but in case you aren't one of those, it is important not to hold these flares upright if you torch one off. The melted slag that drips off onto your hand is going to burn a hole in you. Keep it horizontal.

Dog is my Copilot wrote:

PapernScissors wrote:
[snip...] I've found one company, UDAP, that carries an "aerosol safety case" that is advertised for use in private, unpressurized aircraft for $26.99 + shipping.

Can you provide a link for this product. [Snip...].

Josh

Try this link. You'll need to drill down a bit in the 'accessories' section of UDAP.COM by clicking on the canister image. https://www.udap.com/mm5/category/accessories

I wound up buying two (2) of these things from UDAP. Regardless of how I carry the stuff in the air, I still need to get to the aircraft. That, and 'two is one, and one is none' always seems to apply.

A prior post suggested this CounterAssault product: https://counterassault.com/products/kozee-tote-bear-spray-carrier which also says it can be used in personal aircraft of vehicles. When I looked previously I didn't find this on CounterAssault's website.

Thanks to all for the great suggestions. I do have the welded steps on my C172 landing gear legs to strap the canisters to. I'm leery of strapping the naked bear spray cans to my landing gear 'cause I can see 'em getting dinged if the wheels or prop throw a rock their way while landing or taking off.