The best bear encounter is the one you avoid. Bear spray is not a substitute for watching for signs of bears or being situationally aware, it is a last resort when you have already exhausted every effort to avoid a dangerous siutation. Before you go into the woods, it is important to understand the care and use of bear spray, safely!

1. Before you head out, make sure that your bear spray canister is not expired. 
2. When travelling in a vehicle, ensure that it is in a secure container and not bouncing around. 
3. Cut off the yellow zip tie that holds the safety on the latch.
4. Have the bear spray in an easily reachable location, such as in a holster on your belt.
5. Practice removing the safety with your thumb so that if you have an encounter, you are ready.
6. When deploying the spray, spray towards the ground and bring it up to meet the bear, creating a 'wall' of spray. 

Video – WildSafeBC Bear spray: Safe use and deployment