DIY Bear Spray

[roosterdown]

Where there's a will there is a way!

So I have a mature Habanero Tree that produces a lot of peppers every year, and for an Alaska trip I want to formulate my own bear spray.

I figure that blending and straining the Habaneros is a good start, and then I need to decide if the mix will be water-based, alcohol-based, or oil-based, and what the ratios should be.

My wife has a bunch of empty spray bottles (she used to spray water at the cat to keep him from screwing the pooch) - so that part is easy.

Hoping for advice on recipes/formulations that others have used - what has worked for you? I am torn on the medium - water is easy, but alcohol could make it a dual-use item (spritz your cocktail) while I have a lot of used motor oil in the garage, so perhaps that makes the most sense.

And I'm pretty handy when it comes to sewing webbing for gear - would you go for a single hip holster or is it better to dual-wield bear spray?

Anyway, hit me with your secret mixes, ideal medium, thoughts on single vs double squirt bottles and any other ideas you may have.

Cheers!

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

Personally, I like to grind it into coarse powder and mix it into the molten lead BEFORE pouring into my preferred weight Elmer Kieth semi wad cutter mold in any of .357/.44 mag variety. The pepper is guaranteed to add 10% percent penetration out of a 3” barrel as well as a 5% accuracy boost. YMMV.

 

[Nine Banger]

I take a different approach.

I drag a picnic basket behind me in a travois and spritz the bottom of it with this:

PB & J Cologne Spray

The Scent: The perfect balance between grape jelly and peanut butter, which took years to achieve, and more attempts than we can count. The most fundamental American comfort food.The Inspiration: Childhood snack any day, any time, every time. Click here for the entire PB & J Collection

demeterfragrance.com

I use a 50' non stretching line with a slip knot on my hip belt so its easy to detach the entire rig and run when I need to.

 

[WoodlandCritter]

Capsaicin is a lipid readily dissolved by alcohol. Water would be a poor carrier for it. Unsure about oils. Next time you have something spicy, try taking a shot instead of milk. It works just as well if not better.

 

[Hunterscamera]

I don't think I will be trusting the internet today

 

[elkguide]

I'm not sure what Alaskan bears prefer for seasoning on their human snacks.

 

[Matt5266]

I wanna see some testing when your done lol

 

[GARLICSALT]

I'm not sure what Alaskan bears prefer for seasoning on their human snacks.

Pretty sure it's habanero

 

[307]

It's a little known fact that grizzly bears are mostly attracted to the nether regions of a human. Thus, grinding up your homemade spicy solution and simply apply it to your genitals will ensure maximum bear protection.

It's science.

 

[7mm-08]

Don't do it!!!!!

 

[fngTony]

Probably not the best day to post this?

 

[BowBaboon]

My vote is to aerosolize the mixture into a small Co2 cartridge then place it in a paintball mine.

When a bear is approaching you just have to remember to throw them all out to increase the chance they'll step on one.

 

[Mk44]

April Fools

 

[Aaron-in-CO]

I’m jealous of your habanero tree. Those are much better suited as a bear repellent than the weak sauce peppers from my habanero plants.

 

[Steve O]

You will want to upgrade to the Ghost Pepper.

I hate April 1.